The Lord has taken me to a familiar passage for today. I felt Him calling me to the Gospels, but I was not sure where to land. He has taken me to Luke 9:51-62. This passage is absolutely perfect to end our Whole Heart Faith with this scripture.
Even though we are coming to an end as far as this series of encouragement, we can never stop walking in Whole Heart Faith - in every area of my life and your life. And I think we see that in this scripture.
Jesus is on His way into an area that did not want to mix races. James and John went on ahead and were not welcomed at all. They wanted to retaliate. Jesus actually rebuked them and told them to keep walking.
Has that ever been you? Have you ever been not welcomed? I have! There are times we find this in our own families and there are times I sure we find this in the outside world. It hurts either way. But what does the Lord say - keep going, press on, don't give up, do not lose heart!
In this walk of Faith which is for a life time we can not stop! There will be persecution, there will be at least hurt feelings, and there will be major and minor rejection. It happened in Charlotte and still happens today that we are friends with people in the light, but then when things take place in the "night" we are not invited. It used to hurt and still does a bit to a degree, but it is ok. No matter what I must be resolute about this Whole Heart Faith walk and pursue this purpose He has for me! Not retaliate - that is His business!
We must not look back!! We have taken these last couple of weeks to take a concentrated look at our lives and what we are doing or not doing for the Kingdom. We can not look back! It is not an option to quit or take a break.
My Whole Heart Faith was to reduce the idol I have with food. God has been so faithful in so many ways to me in this adventure. I wish I could tell you - for my own selfish gain - that I have lost a ton of weight. I have lost about 7 pounds and I am so grateful for that - truly! But I have gained a whole new perspective. I have traded my have to have this or that food for have to have this or that peace and obedience with the Lord. I don't have to have the food, but I do have to have peace that is gained through walking obediently with Him. I have gained a sense of self-discipline back into my life with exercise and a whole new perspective on keeping things balanced! It has been huge for me. Do i still overeat or mess up or lose control - YEPPERS. But He has instilled in me a "get back to it" kind of resolve that I am eternally thankful for!
So I ask you - how has it been - how have you changed? Are you quitting or are you keeping your hand to the plow not looking back? I would love to hear from you!!
Press on sisters! Press in to Him!! Be resolute and keep going!
Good morning everyone - hope you are doing well. I am just a little exhausted right now - just got in from running. It was a slow slow slow run - I mean really slow. My running partner didn't come and my feet were tired from yesterday. Those 2 together make for a slow morning. At least no one drove by telling me to hurry it up - don't pass many at 5am!
Even though I don't feel like the weight is dropping like flies I do feel other changes in my body that I choose not to forget! I do have more energy during the day. I love the fact that I am saving nearly $2 every time I go out to eat from not drinking cokes, etc. I do feel more toned and just a much better sense of accomplishment and satisfaction with self. Please don't hear self-gloating, I am just saying it feels good to know I was able to get my lazy self out of the bed and complete a task - a challenging one at that! And without hiring anyone to get me there or make me do...
Whole heart faith has been going well, but I don't think about that actual heart part of it near enough. I need to print out some of the "logos" and stick them around the house. That will cause me to think more! I want to think Whole Heart Faith in all situations - not just this idol!
Part of back to the basics emphasis that God has been whispering to me has me in another very familiar scripture. Proverbs 3:5- 6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." A verse that most are very familiar with and even have to memory.
I think to those that have taught me in the past and remember a concentration on the first 2 parts of that verse - the "trust in the Lord and lean not". I feel the Lord telling me to take a deeper look into the third section of the verse though. The"in all your ways" part.
Trusting in the Lord is not always the easy part. It gets challenged very often, but I do feel like if you have been walking with the Lord for any amount of time you find that He is trustworthy and faithful! While it, too, is not easy to lean on your own understanding when God is dealing with you we often have to accept that things do not make sense, but we will follow. At least it is that way for me.
I realize that we can not take this verse apart and separate it or leave sections out - it all works together and comes to one conclusion - He will make our paths straight! But like i said before it is the third section that I have not heard much discussion on before.
"in all your ways acknowledge him". This makes me think about my friend Ginger G. back in Charlotte. She acknowledged God in everything. I think in all situations she was looking for God and gave Him credit for the smallest to the largest things in her life and situations. There would be things going on in her life that I did not understand - she didn't either - but she would look to the Lord and acknowledge Him working or just acknowledge His presence! She may not even have a clue as to what way to walk next, but He always made her blind faith walk straight and leading straight into His protection and love!! It was beautiful to watch and a privilege to be a part of at times! I miss Gingee so much!
So i have to ask myself and you today - are you acknowledging Him in everything? Can you make yourself aware that HE allowed you to get where you are today and can be the only One to lead you to a deeper walk and faith? Can you find Him in the small things? Do you know that He is there and making all those around aware of His presence?
Yes, we have to trust and yes, we have to lean not, but in the midst of that are you acknowledging??? I just noticed by the power of the Spirit within me that we are doing a WHOLE Heart Faith - and to really walk in that verse 5 states it must be "with ALL your heart". Your whole heart and not parts.
Lord Jesus - I don't want to live a sectioned life. I don't want to be one that takes you certain places, but not others. I want to see you in everything and acknowledge that and live in it!! Oh Lord my God - make me aware. Make me aware of your workings, your movings, and your dealings. Show me my part. I trust in You, I will not lean on me, and I will walk straight acknowledging You are there to see me through!! Father I love you!! My WHOLE heart!!
6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:6-9
Hello friends - please forgive me for not getting to you yesterday, just many things came up at the last minute and sitting down to write for an extended amount of time was not found! I hope you are doing well. It has been a great week for me, but God is asking for more...
My question today or rather I have a question on my mind and wondered if you would ponder it as well. You and I have named for the most part what our Whole Heart Faith is about, but is there anything else He is revealing along the way? Is there anything else that He may be asking you to lay down for one reason or another? Is there another thing that God is asking you to just jump into or to pause?
There is something on my mind that I want to take this next week to fervently pray over. I feel a "jump into stop" kind of statement brewing in my head and have not a clue what that means for me. Can I be making it up in my mind - oh yes. But for the most part I feel a change is coming soon. I feel this is reason why He took me to this scripture this morning before I ever even opened the Word. He laid it on my heart and said go here!!! So I went.
This is a passage I have been over many times in my walk, but today it is speaking to me a bit differently. I have always lumped together the "be strong and courageous". But today He is telling me to spread it apart kind of like a cause and effect kind of situation.
He says to be strong and courageous. And so I ask myself why do we need to be both. Is it not enough to be strong? Or is it not enough to be courageous? And this is what dawned on me - when we are not strong, that means weak - putting trust in ourselves, not relying on His power - then we have no courage or better said, it is hard to engage the courage within us. And when we have no courage - to me this is the guts to walk forward not knowing the future, guts to walk into the unknown, guts to walk where few have trod, guts to walk where it might be dangerous - when we have no courage then we can not engage the strength of the Lord and do as He asks. They go hand in hand and really can not be separated!
This "jump into stop" would take much strength and courage! Getting up to run each morning takes much strength and courage. Putting this Whole Heart Faith honesty plan of weight and all take courage. But for you - could it be anything else that maybe you just "didn't want to go there" kind of thing. Oh Lord - anything but that.... could those be your words?
He is imploring us today not to just be strong or just to have courage, but to do and be both!!! Can you do it? Are you willing? Can you jump into stop or walk into running or jump to solid ground or reach low to seek the High? Are you willing to do what may seem like the opposite of what your heart wants to do - but you know is obedience???
I can't wait to hear from you!!! Love you all - whole heartedly!!!!!
Hey everyone - I hope your week was wonderful. It has been so great to pop over to your blogs and check out how things are going. God has been very patient with me. He always is!!
As i was sitting on the porch swinging I was asking the Lord what do you want me to share with my friends today to encourage them in this Whole Heart Faith. He brought me to Ps. 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God." I have to admit that I said to the Lord - oh Lord surely I am making that up in my head that you want me to share a verse that is so popular and known! (I know, can you believe I tried to argue with the Lord about what He wants me to share? But I thought i might be making it up in my head.)
God began to reveal to me that part of having a Whole Heart Faith is being able to just sit and relax in Him. Being comfortable with the the Holy Spirit speaking to you corrections, but also sweet-nothings! Being still and not doing things my way.
But here is the part He wanted me to emphasize!! The verse does not say "Be still and FEEL that I am God". No, it says, be still and KNOW that I am God. There will be many days on this journey that we will not feel Him. We will search with all our hearts to no avail. We will look into every single detail of life and seek His face and feel for His presence!! It will not always happen.
On those days that we need to feel Him, beware. So often God wants us to trust without a feeling. He wants us to love with nothing in return. He wants us to obey because we know it is right not because convictions is felt. Be still and know - not necessarily always feel!
Here is that button code for you to steal and put on your blog...
I appreciate the comments on the blog or email or Facebook about looking fine and not needing to lose weight. But I feel like i need to explain something. There is no doubt that I need to lose weight, not 50 pounds or anything, but some. I am 6 foot tall and carry my weight different than one that is much shorter, but there is still an issue. Yes, my clothes hardly fit comfortably anymore, but it is more than that!
It is not that I am just one of those people that can look at food and gain. But for me it is a heart issue. I run to food for every emotion. Fun, sadness, boredom, celebration, nervous, anger, and just because,etc. I want to run to my Lord for every emotion! I want Him to be on my every thought and not food. I want Him to be my great reward and not food. Like I said before I am blessed to be 6 foot tall, but that doesn't mean I get to sin in this area just because! So weighing in for me is just giving me an indication if this idle is dieing. It should be getting less and my Whole Heart Faith getting more. This week the difference was not that big!
I can not wait to hear from you!!! Here is how I did!!!
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,
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?
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!
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?
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?
