Thursday, May 07, 2009
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
721 - Whole Heart Faith - week 1
Good Morning everyone!! Hope you are doing well - I am doing wonderful, but a bit nervous too!
Ok - details of how this is suppose to work. Sarah S. and Dori please help me where my non-detailed, unorganized, untechy mind falls short! Please!!!!
I am thinking the what you will do each Wednesday is
1) come to this blog and see what kind of encouragement the Lord is speaking thru me to you for the next week
2) check up on how I am defeating this idol
3) sign Mr. Linky so that I can go to your blog and check out how you are doing on whatever your Whole Heart Faith issue might be!
I do not have the button today for you to add to your blog and for others to click on to come back here and find out why I am spilling my raw guts and what this is all about, but hopefully I will have that by the end of today. It is ready, i just don't have it on me to paste...
My goal - and I am not much into setting goals although i realize i need to get better - is to write out the encouragement to you - the most important part - but post my personal struggle on the video. I know not everyone is into watching the video or some even still have dial up and it take a half a year to watch that thing! So no one should miss the most important stuff!
As I was praying this morning about what the Lord wanted me to encourage you with,
Ok - details of how this is suppose to work. Sarah S. and Dori please help me where my non-detailed, unorganized, untechy mind falls short! Please!!!!
I am thinking the what you will do each Wednesday is
1) come to this blog and see what kind of encouragement the Lord is speaking thru me to you for the next week
2) check up on how I am defeating this idol
3) sign Mr. Linky so that I can go to your blog and check out how you are doing on whatever your Whole Heart Faith issue might be!
I do not have the button today for you to add to your blog and for others to click on to come back here and find out why I am spilling my raw guts and what this is all about, but hopefully I will have that by the end of today. It is ready, i just don't have it on me to paste...
My goal - and I am not much into setting goals although i realize i need to get better - is to write out the encouragement to you - the most important part - but post my personal struggle on the video. I know not everyone is into watching the video or some even still have dial up and it take a half a year to watch that thing! So no one should miss the most important stuff!
As I was praying this morning about what the Lord wanted me to encourage you with,
Ex. 14:10-14 jumped into my thoughts.
"10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. 11 They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Didn't we say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!"
13 Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
In this process of Whole Heart Faith do not be surprised at a bit of fear and trepidation from yourself. It is natural and to be expected. It may even feel like you are dieing - literally if you are happen to be eating less like me! ha! Have you ever thought about the word that is in the middle of obedience? "DIE"
The Israelites were screaming out that Moses had brought them to this land because there were no more graves left in Egypt. He brought them to this land to die because the burying was easier! This journey the Lord has us on is not to kill us for complete burial. It is to die to ourselves, yes, but to be raised anew and walking in the Promised Land!
As the Israelites complained you too might find yourself wanting to go back to the familiar. You might even find yourself back to the familiar and comfortable before you ever knew you got there. If so - start again!!! His mercies are new every morning, but because of Jesus Christ they are new every moment of the day.
As Moses implored the people to not be afraid, I too beg you to squash that fear. Maybe your Whole Heart Faith issue is to walk in area that is unknown. Maybe it is to obey in area that is not comfortable and quite daunting! He can do this, but we have some instructions...
1) Don't be afraid!!
2) Stand Firm
3) And Watch His deliverance
So for this week - I would love to go to your blog and see how for you, you will do the three instructions!! I would love for you to post whatever you want, but include how you will do the three!!
Will it be difficult?
Will it take work?
What is your biggest obstacle?
13 Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
In this process of Whole Heart Faith do not be surprised at a bit of fear and trepidation from yourself. It is natural and to be expected. It may even feel like you are dieing - literally if you are happen to be eating less like me! ha! Have you ever thought about the word that is in the middle of obedience? "DIE"
The Israelites were screaming out that Moses had brought them to this land because there were no more graves left in Egypt. He brought them to this land to die because the burying was easier! This journey the Lord has us on is not to kill us for complete burial. It is to die to ourselves, yes, but to be raised anew and walking in the Promised Land!
As the Israelites complained you too might find yourself wanting to go back to the familiar. You might even find yourself back to the familiar and comfortable before you ever knew you got there. If so - start again!!! His mercies are new every morning, but because of Jesus Christ they are new every moment of the day.
As Moses implored the people to not be afraid, I too beg you to squash that fear. Maybe your Whole Heart Faith issue is to walk in area that is unknown. Maybe it is to obey in area that is not comfortable and quite daunting! He can do this, but we have some instructions...
1) Don't be afraid!!
2) Stand Firm
3) And Watch His deliverance
So for this week - I would love to go to your blog and see how for you, you will do the three instructions!! I would love for you to post whatever you want, but include how you will do the three!!
Will it be difficult?
Will it take work?
What is your biggest obstacle?
I can't wait to pop over to your blog and check out what He is going to do in your life!!! Are you ready - offer it today - Whole Heart Faith!!! It's the climb, people, it's the climb!
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
720 - IS everything all hunkey dorrey with no problems when we follow God?
Check out the new features on this blog!!! A navigation bar on the bottom of the header. Like it?? Check out the new button on the top right side!! This is Shera's business that helped to put the nav bar on and tidy things up a bit on the blog. Let me know if you are interested in advertising on this blog!
Monday, May 04, 2009
719 - Prayers please
Hi everyone - Hope you are doing well. I am doing great, but do have a crazy week this week. I would for you to pray about a few things... I am meeting with a radio station today about doing a possible women's ministry program. I do not know details and if it would work with my family, etc., but it is something I am very interested in. I will be traveling with my sweet friend TJ on Thursday to speak in the AM at Paducah, KY. and then driving that evening to speak in the St. Louis area. It will be a full day, but oh so much fun! The very next day I get to substitute teach at the high school and then speak again that evening at a church just down the road in Norris City. God is just amazing me with the things He is allowing me to be involved in right now. I can hardly keep it straight. He will still not let me drop the thought of having a teenage study here at my house sometime soon!
Still waiting on a buyer for the house - just takes one!!
Whole Heart Faith will kick off on Wednesday - be ready and be patient if i have any techy difficulties which is so possible!! I covet your prayers!!!!! I need your prayers. I need Him!!!! Thank you - as always please please feel free to pass your requests on to me. I love you all - Leigh
Friday, May 01, 2009
718 - (repost) Whole Heart Faith
From the moment I posted the status on my Facebook about going for some radical obedience I have been in constant prayer. I mean the Holy Spirit has been speaking to me at the most random and odd places. Sitting down to hear from Him did not come so easily. But it is that way many times with me or Him. It is in the busyness of the day that God will stop me and speak a Truth, reveal a message title, confirm a question, or even explain my confusion! He is so great to deal with me the way He made me! I so appreciate that, Father! (Side note: this does not mean that I don't think I have to sit and listen to Him on separate occasions. Oh yes oh yes!! I still feel that He commands me daily to come and be at rest at His feet in worship and in confession whether I hear from Him and especially feel Him.)
So what do I think all this means........ how long do you have? Here are the phrases that He has given me that I have begun to put together for complete obedience in my life........
Consumes your thoughts
Why do you go to just the borderline?
Idol worship can't be with me
Simple is too hard
Complex is easy faith
You have no control
Let me in today
sisters and brothers lifted me up in caffeine
This all started when I posted the fact that I was giving up caffeine for (hopefully) ever! I was practically overwhelmed with the friends praying for me in this event and especially for those that checked in on my for DAYS! I am indebted to you all. This was just such a simple thing in my life - even though there was pain involved - and many of you took the time to say a prayer for me and to strengthen me along the way. I truly attribute your faithfulness in praying and honest accountability to my kicking this particular demon in my life. Now you may be thinking the word DEMON is a little harsh, but anything that can change my attitude and responses to people in a negative way because I have NOT had it - that is a demon in my book. In that process the Lord reminded me that HE was the one to make the difference in my reactions and responses to people. He was the one to conquer those demons and idols in my life. It was something in my life that I was having a hard time living without = IDOL!
I began to think about more of the simple things in my life - things that are simple in theory, but seem to consume my thoughts. Why is it in our own lives - or I should say - in MY life - that I can feel safe with the Lord in bringing Him the huge, big things for Him to take care of, but it is those tiny, simple things that I feel like could never be changed. Oh no, I would never utter those words, but it is exactly what my actions would say! Do I think He is not big enough for the small things?
That is when the words - complex is easy faith - please know this is for my life........... I am not trying to say the hard things in your life are easy faith for you - for me!!!!!!!!!!! What I am trying to say is when I am given a huge task or a huge dilemma or someone else has asked me to pray about something that I have absolutely no control over at all - it is easy for me to pray about it and be done. I know that I can do nothing other than the privilege of praying for them and so it is done. I keep praying and believing that God is in control and is the one that will make the difference. For me it is what I call easy faith - I have to leave it with Him because I can't do a thing!
Another phrase - Why do you go to the borderline - set a higher standard! In medicine doctors seem to not get all up in arms about things even if you go over the borderline. I mean our blood pressure is suppose to be 120/80. You can even be 125/85 and a doctor kind of shrug his shoulders that you should be pretty good. Or your sugar is right at the borderline and it seems to be ok. I know this is a silly example that might not be holding much water because there are so many other factors in determining ones health, but the point is that why do we just accept hanging out at the borderline. I think God calls us to a higher standard. I think God call us to perfection even though it is something we will not attain, but are working out our salvation to the image of Christ so that we shine like His little stars! (Phil. 2:12-14)
Back to the simple!!! It is those little things that consume me. For me - I think about food and my weight more than anything else in the whole day. Breakfast I think about lunch, lunch I think about dinner. Dinner I think if there is anything sweet for me to eat next. It is an idol. It is a little thing because I really only have about 15 or 20 pounds to lose, but it consumes me. I mean ALL THE TIME!!!!!! I know I may not look that overweight - but yall I am practically 6 foot tall! If i were even 4 inches shorter my sin would be more obvious. But more than anything this is a heart condition. This is a simple thing that I don't have the faith to believe He can make a difference. Do you ever feel the same way - not about weight - but whatever it is the Lord has laid upon your heart?
I feel like the Lord has led me to confess this to whomever may be reading to seek that accountability - just like with the caffeine. There are many, many steps that I have to go on to truly be walking with Him the way He desires for my life - and I want that to be my desire as well. (Ps. 37:4) This food thing is just the first step. There are many areas that I need to die in! What about you???? What is it for you? It does not have to do anything with food or the body!!!!!! That is my thing!
I am ready for a new heart and new actions! I am ready to walk with Him in a way that I have never! I am ready to believe Him in the simple things and the big things too. I am ready to commit with a whole heart, rid myself of idols, and commit to Him - and serve Him only!!!!! He will deliver us - me!! The battles will come! The enemy will still press on! But I will set up an Ebenezer in honor of Him! I am ready for my thoughts to be turned to Him.
What is it for you? What is it that He is asking you to rid yourself of? What is it that consumes your thoughts? What is your idol? How can we do this so far apart??? This could be letting something go? This could be starting something. This could be anything - HE will tell you if HE has not already!!
Does anyone know how to set up a linky thing? We could name this Whole Heart Faith and have a button. I don't know how to do any of that - does anyone??? We could have a certain day each week that we check in and see how this Whole Heart Faith Walking is going for each of us. I think it could be a huge step in Him setting hearts free! Are you in?
So what do I think all this means........ how long do you have? Here are the phrases that He has given me that I have begun to put together for complete obedience in my life........
Consumes your thoughts
Why do you go to just the borderline?
Idol worship can't be with me
Simple is too hard
Complex is easy faith
You have no control
Let me in today
sisters and brothers lifted me up in caffeine
This all started when I posted the fact that I was giving up caffeine for (hopefully) ever! I was practically overwhelmed with the friends praying for me in this event and especially for those that checked in on my for DAYS! I am indebted to you all. This was just such a simple thing in my life - even though there was pain involved - and many of you took the time to say a prayer for me and to strengthen me along the way. I truly attribute your faithfulness in praying and honest accountability to my kicking this particular demon in my life. Now you may be thinking the word DEMON is a little harsh, but anything that can change my attitude and responses to people in a negative way because I have NOT had it - that is a demon in my book. In that process the Lord reminded me that HE was the one to make the difference in my reactions and responses to people. He was the one to conquer those demons and idols in my life. It was something in my life that I was having a hard time living without = IDOL!
I began to think about more of the simple things in my life - things that are simple in theory, but seem to consume my thoughts. Why is it in our own lives - or I should say - in MY life - that I can feel safe with the Lord in bringing Him the huge, big things for Him to take care of, but it is those tiny, simple things that I feel like could never be changed. Oh no, I would never utter those words, but it is exactly what my actions would say! Do I think He is not big enough for the small things?
That is when the words - complex is easy faith - please know this is for my life........... I am not trying to say the hard things in your life are easy faith for you - for me!!!!!!!!!!! What I am trying to say is when I am given a huge task or a huge dilemma or someone else has asked me to pray about something that I have absolutely no control over at all - it is easy for me to pray about it and be done. I know that I can do nothing other than the privilege of praying for them and so it is done. I keep praying and believing that God is in control and is the one that will make the difference. For me it is what I call easy faith - I have to leave it with Him because I can't do a thing!
Another phrase - Why do you go to the borderline - set a higher standard! In medicine doctors seem to not get all up in arms about things even if you go over the borderline. I mean our blood pressure is suppose to be 120/80. You can even be 125/85 and a doctor kind of shrug his shoulders that you should be pretty good. Or your sugar is right at the borderline and it seems to be ok. I know this is a silly example that might not be holding much water because there are so many other factors in determining ones health, but the point is that why do we just accept hanging out at the borderline. I think God calls us to a higher standard. I think God call us to perfection even though it is something we will not attain, but are working out our salvation to the image of Christ so that we shine like His little stars! (Phil. 2:12-14)
Back to the simple!!! It is those little things that consume me. For me - I think about food and my weight more than anything else in the whole day. Breakfast I think about lunch, lunch I think about dinner. Dinner I think if there is anything sweet for me to eat next. It is an idol. It is a little thing because I really only have about 15 or 20 pounds to lose, but it consumes me. I mean ALL THE TIME!!!!!! I know I may not look that overweight - but yall I am practically 6 foot tall! If i were even 4 inches shorter my sin would be more obvious. But more than anything this is a heart condition. This is a simple thing that I don't have the faith to believe He can make a difference. Do you ever feel the same way - not about weight - but whatever it is the Lord has laid upon your heart?
I feel like the Lord has led me to confess this to whomever may be reading to seek that accountability - just like with the caffeine. There are many, many steps that I have to go on to truly be walking with Him the way He desires for my life - and I want that to be my desire as well. (Ps. 37:4) This food thing is just the first step. There are many areas that I need to die in! What about you???? What is it for you? It does not have to do anything with food or the body!!!!!! That is my thing!
I am ready for a new heart and new actions! I am ready to walk with Him in a way that I have never! I am ready to believe Him in the simple things and the big things too. I am ready to commit with a whole heart, rid myself of idols, and commit to Him - and serve Him only!!!!! He will deliver us - me!! The battles will come! The enemy will still press on! But I will set up an Ebenezer in honor of Him! I am ready for my thoughts to be turned to Him.
What is it for you? What is it that He is asking you to rid yourself of? What is it that consumes your thoughts? What is your idol? How can we do this so far apart??? This could be letting something go? This could be starting something. This could be anything - HE will tell you if HE has not already!!
Does anyone know how to set up a linky thing? We could name this Whole Heart Faith and have a button. I don't know how to do any of that - does anyone??? We could have a certain day each week that we check in and see how this Whole Heart Faith Walking is going for each of us. I think it could be a huge step in Him setting hearts free! Are you in?
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