Open your hand

Wringing our hands, swirling thoughts, and sleepless nights may seem frequent. I want to open my mind and hands to receive good things from the Creator God of heaven and earth and drop the anxiety or fear of the future.

Insomnia and carpel tunnel pain after a night of fretting is a waste of time. Mindset needs changing!! Who is with me bloggers and readers? Open your hand to God and be blessed.

Let’s make a declaration for change in mindset, fix your mind on Jesus Christ!

First, Close your eyes and meditate on His goodness. If you struggle to believe in His goodness, ponder the scriptures below. Then try again to meditate on the love of Jesus.

Second, Visualize the face of Jesus, His eyes of compassion, His smile filled with joy, inviting you to hold His extended hand and take a stroll.

Say the following declaration aloud:

Help me be aware of the Presence of God. Help me to accept Your unfailing love, Jesus! Help me believe there aren’t conditions that block our relationship. I repent of any sin that has caused me to leave the love of Jesus. You love me, period! Create in me a clean heart. Show me Your mercy and grace, I love Jesus. Show me Your peace. I want to feel your Presence. You are just a breath away. I breathe deeply in Your peace. Cool, clean breath that washes over my lungs and provides clarity of mind.

Take a walk, Just you and your best friend and Savior Jesus! He knows all about you. Reflect on a few scripture stories:

1. Seek Him with the curiosity of a child and show Christ like love to a child.

Matthew 18:1-7 MSG
At about the same time, the disciples came to Jesus asking, “Who gets the highest rank in God’s kingdom?” [2-5] For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, “I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you’re not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s kingdom. What’s more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it’s the same as receiving me. [6-7] “But if you give them a hard time, bullying or taking advantage of their simple trust, you’ll soon wish you hadn’t. You’d be better off dropped in the middle of the lake with a millstone around your neck. Doom to the world for giving these God-believing children a hard time! Hard times are inevitable, but you don’t have to make it worse-and it’s doomsday to you if you do.

2. Seek Him as a prodigal sheep who wandered away but wants to come home to Jesus.

Matthew 18:12-14 MSG
“Look at it this way. If someone has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders off, doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine and go after the one? And if he finds it, doesn’t he make far more over it than over the ninety-nine who stay put? Your Father in heaven feels the same way. He doesn’t want to lose even one of these simple believers.

3. Seek Jesus as a weary traveler, parent or single.

Isaiah 40:28-31 NLT
Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. [29] He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. [30] Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. [31] But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

4. Seek Jesus as wise counselor, who will share your heavy burdens and be gentle with wisdom.

Matthew 11:25-30 NLT
At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. [26] Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way! [27] “My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” [28] Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Jesus extends His hand to you. Take hold of the only place of truth in this crazy world. Walking with Him, seeking His wisdom and having His Presence is better than walking alone. He will never forsake you. Start your journey in the Bible with the chapter John. Read how our amazing Jesus extended His hand to broken, diverse disciples who were all impacted and transformed for Kingdom purposes. You are created with His purpose. Walk with Him and be transformed.

Refine me to Gold

Pain is an opportunity for growth in God! I shared this concept with a few friends lately.

Pain can draw us to our Savior or fear over pain can cause us to look over our shoulder and run from the Savior. The molding of our character burns and can scar us.

Daniel 3 shares the story of three young men who refused to bow down before a king. They trusted God over any threats by man. God protected them from a fiery furnace and death. As a result, the King and others turned their lives over to God.

Daniel 3:16-18 CEV
The three men replied, “Your Majesty, we don’t need to defend ourselves. [17] The God we worship can save us from you and your flaming furnace. [18] But even if he doesn’t, we still won’t worship your gods and the gold statue you have set up.”

These young men placed their hope in the One True God!! We can choose the same course. Trust God in your pain to be refined as gold into the treasure He already knows you to be.

Psalm 25:1-8 MSG
My head is high, GOD, held high; I’m looking to you, GOD; No hangdog skulking for me. [3] I’ve thrown in my lot with you; You won’t embarrass me, will you? Or let my enemies get the best of me? Don’t embarrass any of us Who went out on a limb for you. It’s the traitors who should be humiliated. [4] Show me how you work, GOD; School me in your ways. [5] Take me by the hand; Lead me down the path of truth. You are my Savior, aren’t you? [6] Mark the milestones of your mercy and love, GOD; Rebuild the ancient landmarks! [7] Forget that I sowed wild oats; Mark me with your sign of love. Plan only the best for me, GOD! [8] GOD is fair and just; He corrects the misdirected, Sends them in the right direction.

The gods of this world: materialism, social status, economic wealth, can’t compare to the peace found in trusting our Creator God with our futures. In this time of uncertainty, world instability, financial chaos, relational strife. There is only one real choice, Jesus.

This mindset may not make sense to our human mind however, as I talked with a dear Sister in Christ yesterday, Jesus is the only Peace to be found. He has never changed from the time of Daniel.

Let the supernatural peace of God take hold of your heart and mind. Micah 4:11-13 the Message version, practically jumped off the page. Hold onto the promises of God.

Holy Spirit fuel our steps!!!🔥💜

Micah 4:11-13 MSG
But for right now, they’re ganged up against you, many godless peoples, saying, “Kick her when she’s down! Violate her! We want to see Zion grovel in the dirt.” These blasphemers have no idea what GOD is thinking and doing in this. They don’t know that this is the making of GOD’s people, that they are wheat being threshed, gold being refined. [13] On your feet, Daughter of Zion! Be threshed of chaff, be refined of dross. I’m remaking you into a people invincible, into God’s juggernaut to crush the godless peoples. You’ll bring their plunder as holy offerings to GOD, their wealth to the Master of the earth.

Gerbil, Get off the wheel

Boy, our feelings can feel so intense overwhelming and so permanent, can’t they? Yet feelings are fleeting. They pop into our minds and take on a life of their own, if they are condemning they are from the devil. Feelings could actually be lies from the Father of lies, Satan. Lies related to past traumas lie related to expectations of others, and lies related to judgments of others, are not helpful. They are meant to destroy us and tarnish our minds from God’s truth.

Ephesians 6:10-11 AMP
In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. [11] Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil.

The truth is that God has a plan for your life. God wants you to choose His Promises over feelings. The enemy wants you to be stuck in feelings. The truth is that God has never left you. Perhaps in your past choices, shame or trauma led to your steps away from your relationship with Him.

Have you ever thought of it that way? Who stepped away? There may have been a time we felt God would never forgive us for the things we’ve done or the things we’ve said. Go to Jesus, He is a forgiving, grace-giving, merciful God. He wants to be in our lives sharing His wisdom. But if we step away from the umbrella protection of his wisdom, we can’t really be surprised that we don’t hear His voice?

God is a God of love, a God of peace, God is a teacher through conviction, not condemnation. He is a God of hope and returning to His Presence is amazing. God is a God of wisdom. Jesus speaks to us through the Holy Spirit.

He is for us not against us. We must reach out to Him and say, “Jesus, I need You! I want You to direct my life. I am ready for a New Life with You!”

There are ways for us to drop the fake feelings and instead hold onto God’s promises. I love imagery to explain my point, please bear with me!

Consider a gerbil in a wheel running so fast, faster and faster, trying to figure out how to get somewhere. Your feelings are etched as words on that gerbil wheel: anxiety, depression, regret, fear, bitterness, holding grudges, unworthiness. We are the gerbil seeming to lose our energy and our mind. We could never get to peace and joy fast enough unless we make changes in our life. Mindless running into an unknown future can set up traps for others and the world’s culture.

However, if we look and fix our eyes on the image of Jesus before us and picture His compassionate face and extended hand we will feel purpose and strength will increase. Let Him fill empty spaces and be your fuel to reach the goal. Perhaps we could start the steps to forgiving ourselves, and accepting His love.

Jeremiah 33:2-3 MSG
“This is GOD’s Message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.’

Greater Still by Brandon Lake

Brandon Lake, one of my favorite music artists, expresses beautifully “Greater Still” the love of our Savior Jesus. Be blessed as the lyrics fill your mind with hope and love over feelings.

Our belief and trust in God over feelings could transform us and then our belief in His promises will overwhelm the negative mindset.

So don’t be a gerbil on the wheel, hop off that stupid circular device. And seek the Son of God. He is the light, Jesus! Let Him fuel the Journey!

Stillness

Stillness seems impossible in our hard-charged, hustle-bustle world, however, it is necessary for our sanity. We must prioritize stillness with our Creator God. He is our Lighthouse in the stormy seas, lighting our path to peace and rest. It is time well spent to revive and refresh us as we walk this earth.

Psalm 62:5-8 TPT
I am standing in absolute stillness, silent before the one I love, waiting as long as it takes for him to rescue me. Only God is my Savior, and he will not fail me. [6] For he alone is my safe place. His wrap-around presence always protects me as my champion defender. There’s no risk of failure with God! So why would I let worry paralyze me, even when troubles multiply around me? [7] God’s glory is all around me! His wrap-around presence is all I need, for the Lord is my Savior, my hero, and my life-giving strength. [8] Join me, everyone! Trust only in God every moment! Tell him all your troubles and pour out your heart longings to him. Believe me when I tell you he will help you! Pause in his presence

Words to heal, words to provide hope, words to encourage, words to bring Light into our daily life.

The Passion translation of the Bible is full of words for you. It’s a modern translation, feels so personal, and revives me. I hope it revives you.

Darkness must flee in the midst of the illuminating Light of our Savior.

A fellow Sister in Christ at Mom’s prayer meeting shared this song, “ Why” by Elevation worship at the Loft. The high school choir sang this amazing song at the close of the concert. There was not a dry eye in the auditorium from family and teacher. Bask in its message for all.

Why by Elevation worship

Why do you matter to Jesus? Because you are precious, He created you in His image, He knows you, He believes in your specific gifts, and He wants you to believe in Him. There is no sin so great that can separate you from His love.

Jesus is better than silver, gold, and anything in this world. Listen to the words of this song, Why, and feel the awe-inspiring, Presence of God. Call out to Him! He loves you.

Photo credit Anand Dandakar