Seeing past obstacles

We have all been in the place where we wonder what will happen in the future, be it personally, for family members, or in life.

Many nights I may be awake until the early morning hours. I am realizing the stillness of the night or early morning hours is a great time for me to remember God doesn’t sleep.

He is the Alpha and Omega. He knows all things present, past and future. We plant seeds of faith as parents, siblings, friends, with strangers regarding Jesus but the Holy Spirit waters them.

I am becoming less frustrated when awake at 2a, instead realizing this is a gift from God. I am more open to listening to His instructions. Can you relate?

His word is rich with a peace, giving encouragement that we need. Sometimes during the day too many distractions caused us not to hear his voice.

I don’t want my actions to be an obstacle to faith in God, personally or for those in our sphere of influence.

Romans 4:17 AMP
(as it is written [in Scripture], “I HAVE MADE YOU A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS”) in the sight of Him in whom he believed, that is, God who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.

Just as Abraham was likely overwhelmed at times, his faith was tested and God brought life.

Yes, God gives life, and wisdom, believing this premise when we don’t see the end result brings our faith to another level. We aren’t ignoring the complicated circumstances we’re just allowing God to be the one to direct our steps and laying the circumstance at feet of Jesus.

We are all works in progress; I don’t want to be an obstacle to someone else’s amazing experience with Jesus who loves them more than I do.

“Faith recognizes the problem, the presents it to God, acknowledging Him in the face of the problem and declaring his truth and promises have a greater answer…. Authentic faith does not deny the obstacle but believes God is greater than the obstacle.” Roman’s 4:17 insight from the New Spirit Filled Bible

I am a recovering people pleaser, some call that codependency, it’s an obstacle for me at times. However, the more I spend time with God the more I realize I seek to please Him over others.

So let go and let God, trust Him even as you may be shaking in your boots, bit by bit you will grow your faith in Him over man. Bit by bit you will feel greater peace that passes human understanding.

Abraham chose to believe God would allow him to be a father at 100 years old, even though it seemed impossible. As a result of his trust in the power of God and His promises, he was not disappointed.

Romans 4:20-21 AMP
But he did not doubt or waver in unbelief concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and empowered by faith, giving glory to God, [21] being fully convinced that God had the power to do what He had promised.

One step at a time we must trust God too! It will be worth it! God never sleeps! He wants you to have a clear path to freedom with Him and into the future. He wants to bless generations of your family. Glory to God!

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Wild flower

The biggest misconception of guys and girls is the need to stand out. Each one of us is a beautiful masterpiece. Seeing ourselves the way God made us; absolutely wonderfully is the best way for us to stay stable in the world. The world would tell us we should add some thing in order to be supposedly perfect.

The thing is, God doesn’t make junk. He makes beautifully unique guys and girls absolutely wonderfully. We don’t want to look like each other. We want to look unique!

Some days we may feel tired, weary or let comparison make us feel like we are flawed physically. God wants us to remember we’re awesome the way we are!!

Carrie Underwood has an older song “Nobody ever told you”. The lyrics remind you just to be who you are no extra make up because you’re beautiful just as you are.

Nobody ever told you Carrie Underwood

Interestingly, God’s word reminds us to be content with who we are, and at the right time, God will promote you. Isn’t it amazing this wisdom is in the Bible!

1 Peter 5:4-7 MSG
When God, who is the best shepherd of all, comes out in the open with his rule, he’ll see that you’ve done it right and commend you lavishly. And you who are younger must follow your leaders. But all of you, leaders and followers alike, are to be down to earth with each other, for—God has had it with the proud, But takes delight in just plain people. [6-7] So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.

So live carefree, before God, He cares for you! Run or dance like a wild flower, and be free! You are a diamond, You are amazing just as you are!

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Comparison destroys

We are living in the land of FOMO, the fear of missing out can cause a person to miss out on the good moments of the day. Fear of missing out is a trap, just as comparison is a trap. Gratitude for what we have and who we are is a gift. You may be a child, teen, young adult, or seasoned adult, the struggle is real!

The enemy knows if he can build discontent in our life he could take our eyes off of Jesus and his plan and purpose. It’s always our choice. Whose voice, whose words cycle through our mind? What we give attention to becomes our self-talk. Who we listen to is always a choice.

This is why it’s so important to check in with God and memorize His words of truth. So when you have those times of insecurity, the Lord’s words come to your mind, instead of the lies of the enemy.

When you look in the mirror, what do you see; a woman or man created in the image of God, or is your vision distorted by the words of another?

Filter everything through what God says about you and your vision will become clear. God’s mission for your life will become clear regardless of the babbling people around you who don’t support God’s plan. Over time and with the support of Godly influencers the negative words will seem ridiculously easy to ignore. Find Courage in God alone!

1 Peter 5:6-7 MSG
So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.

The Message version of the Bible seems to paint a picture of the goodness of God! The words of truth are profound and stand the test of time. Meditate and read these words aloud. Take in the truth so it can push out the negative self-talk. Consider rewriting these scriptures on your own post-it note to declare every morning.

Psalm 34:1-10 MSG
I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise. [2] I live and breathe God; if things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy: [3] Join me in spreading the news; together let’s get the word out. [4] God met me more than halfway, he freed me from my anxious fears. [5] Look at him; give him your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from him. [6] When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot. [7] God’s angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray. [8] Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him. [9] Worship God if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness. [10] Young lions on the prowl get hungry, but God-seekers are full of God.

Life is for living not comparing ourselves. Did you know God made you perfectly just as you are? Your body is proportioned just right, your life is in His hands. Seek Him for the best instruction, take off the blinders of human communications that do not align with His truth, and see yourself as He sees you, perfect as you are.

I’ve witnessed it by Passion featuring Melody Malone is powerful declaration. Bask in it!Praise Him!!

You are set apart for great things, go to the One who created all things beautiful including you!!!

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Open the Sails

Stepping into a sailboat and getting ready to sail an ocean is not in my comfort zone. There is something about gale-force winds, waves as high as houses, unpredictable weather patterns, and hurricanes that make me shudder.

In sailing, there are times to Trim the sails (pull them in), and times to Ease the sails (let the sails out). Luffing is when the whole sail is flogging, or let out too much and is flapping in the wind not being effective. There needs to be a confident, wise Captain at the wheel directing the crew or the boat may sink.

Life can feel like the same chaotic unstable adventure. We have moments when we follow the captain (Jesus) and life seems to be on calm water and the sunrises are beautiful!

Our lives have times of great joy, like when we were young, we may have learned “Jesus loves Me” as a children’s song. We may have been blessed with parents, or grandparents that sat with us at bedtime reading from the Bible, stories of David and the giant Goliath. Maybe we had a friend who asked us to go to a church kids’ event or summer Christian camp.

Maybe you are new to the beautiful message of Jesus, who died a sinners death for all of us, He is the bridge between God and each of His children, US! He intercedes for us to His Father after we have accepted Him as Savior and allow the Holy Spirit to guide our lives. Today can be a life-transforming day to seek HIM as Lord of our lives!

We may have accepted Jesus as Savior in the past, and we meant the action to believe Jesus can help us and loves us. But then life happened, and things around us were not as clear, perhaps there was division in family, brokenness, divorce, mental health, or violence and we put aside the idea that we were loved by Jesus! Human beings in our lives may have been disappointing and we are living in doubt of His love.

Even David wrote in Psalm 51 of his struggles with life and staying connected to God. David still called out to His Father God for advice as you will read here.

Psalm 51:10 NLT Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.

Psalm 51:11- 15 NLT Do not banish me from your Presence;
    and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. ¹²Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
    and make me willing to obey you. ¹³Then I will teach your ways to rebels,
    and they will return to you. ¹⁴Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves;
    then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness. ¹⁵Unseal my lips, O Lord,
    that my mouth may praise you.

David Leonard released a new song, Light a Fire, it is such a powerful message of hope and restoration found in the Jesus of our youth, He is a God who restores the broken and brings New Life from the ashes of the past. Enjoy this amazing song!

Let today be the day, you step into the boat with Jesus. Let Him calm the waves and direct the storm. Awake your soul. Set Sail with Him (Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit) as the captain of your ship. Open the sails and let Him direct the course of your life. The waves may be choppy at times but you are no longer alone.

Do you want to grow?

Summer is a season of sunshine, 321 days a year in Colorado, that is what I know from my personal experience. Most years, Colorado is known for being a great destination of sun and fun year round. Colorado, also, has horrendous severe thunderstorms, golf ball size hail, flood conditions and even more bipolar weather patterns.

This year I believe we are setting records for thunderstorms, hail, rain and flooding. Storms can bring trials and they can clear out the dirty, brown clouds in the atmosphere. Storms and great weather have purpose. We can grow in each climate experience.

In order for growth to happen, we need sunshine, a properly prepared soil, plenty of water ( even torrential downpours) to quench the dry parts of ground and times of peace and stillness.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 AMPC
And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [separate you from profane things, make you pure and wholly consecrated to God]; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved sound and complete [and found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).

In order to grow in our faith with the Holy Spirit, Jesus, our Father God, we need Sonshine, an open heart, mind and soul connection (our spirit man to the Holy Spirit). It is necessary to make action steps to deepen this life giving relationship. Otherwise, the desert times in life will cause us to whither away and dry up our God given purposes.

We need the Living Water of Jesus, through time spent in the Bible, His Word fills the empty soil of our lives and brings more productivity. We need solid accountability field workers to encourage our digging up the weeds and tenderly caring for the tender green places of growth with Jesus!

One of the hardest things for humans is to be still and open in humility to allow God to speak into our lives. Without this step of faith and submission nothing really changes. Our stubborn nature to pride and closed ears can cause us to walk the wrong way.

As Aerosmith used to sing “Walk this way”, however, over time the world will bulldoze our potential with distraction in culture, the promise of good things but at what cost, a fleeting moment of happiness over a blessed path to a meaningful future of harvest: relationships of likeminded, loving people who realize we are sinners and it’s one step at a time that we can grow in Jesus with a full field of harvest.

So, do we go by impulsive now mentality or plan a future of potential purpose blessed by God? Deuteronomy 28 is the Bible chapter that discusses the difference between walking with God’s blessing or choosing to curse God and receive our consequence. I think I avoided this scripture but now see it’s truth.

I appreciate Paul sharing with the Ephesians his gratitude. The encouragement of a fellow Christian who spends time with God cannot be underestimated. I leave you with this prayer blessing from Ephesians 1.

Ephesians 1:16-21 NLT
I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, [17] asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. [18] I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called-his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. [19] I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power [20] that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. [21] Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else-not only in this world but also in the world to come.

Thank you for reading my spontaneous blog. I appreciate your taking the time to stop by for a while. May you feel the love and presence of God as you take the steps necessary to grow in Him. It will be a mighty harvest for those willing to take the risk.