Spiritual Motivation and Insight

[CrimsonTide4]

“We… are being transformed… from glory to glory… by the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV

Are you able to evaluate your progress without getting discouraged or feeling condemned? Can you look at how far you still have to go, yet be able to appreciate how far you've already come? Where you are now, is not where you're going to be. You must have a clear view of the finish line or you'll never get out of the starting gate. In the Amplified Bible Paul states that God changes us from one degree of glory to another. Notice, the improvement takes place by degrees – not giant leaps!

"But why do I keep falling?" you ask. Why did you keep falling after your first birth? Because you weren't born wearing walking shoes! No, you had to learn. And at first you stumbled more than you walked. The truth is, some of us just grow up faster than others.

We're too hard on ourselves; we'd grow faster if we relaxed more. We cannot live by our feelings in these matters. Satan will make sure we frequently feel like "an unredeemable mess," or that God's not working in our lives. That's a lie! We must learn to live by God's Word, not by how we feel, for His Word states that as long as we believe, He is working in us. Listen: "The Word of God… is effectually at work in you who believe, exercising its [superhuman] power in those who adhere to and trust in and rely on it" (1Th 2:13 AMP). So rise up and announce, "God is at work in me today – changing me by degrees."

~author unknown

[Honeykiss1974]

This an email that my oldest sister sent to my older sister who is having a mid-life crisis. Although it wasn't meant for me, it blessed me beyond belief. My spirit is leading me to share it here because is needing a Word from God about a situation in their life.

So you’re at a crossroads in your life? Me too and I've been here many times before. So what makes this time different?
I've bargained. I've rebelled. I've lied. I've hid. And I've run.
So I'll tell you what I already know. Nobody can get you to there but JESUS.

That's why he's the AUTHOR of change.

Where is there? FULFILLED! Will it be fun? GOT TO BE MORE FUN THAN WHAT I'M HAVING NOW!!! No more fantasies for me. If I were to tell most folks what God is saying to me, they would probably not take me seriously. Why?

1) Because only God can make it happen.

2) I have to TRUST God to make it happen. That means I have to take ME and GOD seriously. In the end, I'm looking for God's approval.

3) I have to follow him even if I don't know where he's taking me. Not even FEAR is going to keep me from being a VESSEL that God can use.

4) I'm not interested in what I feel anymore. That hasn't worked so far. God's vision for my life is BIGGER than me. I finally have ENOUGH faith in him to BELIEVE him. And to do the impossible. Impossible for me but NOT for JESUS!

I want REAL love. I want a REAL life experience. I want REAL joy. REAL peace. I want EVERYTHING GOD says is already MINE. The closer I am to him and his will. The more joy I feel. The further away, the more confused and sad I feel. When I trust him and not me, I feel confident. When I move without him, I feel hopeless.

God is not the enemy. I am. This doesn't mean do what I want. It means that I trust God to make the decisions. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. And who knows me better. ME or GOD.

I'm not telling you what I think you should do. I'm not telling you your decisions are right or wrong. I'm not God. When I take a step, I want to SEE God nod his head, YES! YOUR BLESSING IS WAITING! Re-visit the passion you felt as child, teen or 20-something. What did you want to do that the Devil said you couldn't do. I guarantee you God didn't kill your dreams. They can live but only if God breathes life into them.

Once I admitted to God that I didn't know what I was doing. HE SHOWED ME THE WAY. Finally after 40 years, I know why I always felt different. Not bad different. I just see things differently. It's not that I don't believe that God can equip me to have the career or life I desire. The truth was I didn't TRUST him. If I don't trust God, then I'm saying that the world is bigger than HE IS! I understand why the DEVIL was able to get his way. NO MORE! I'm not trying to set the world on fire. I'm trying to light a fire under the world through God. And the gifts He gave me.

I'm trusting God to order my steps this year. The vision He has for my life will take root. I'm not trusting my feelings. I'm trusting GOD!

Devil, you can't live here NO MO! [size=large]MY GOD IS BIGGER THANK YOU! [/size]

All I can say is: Been there. Done that. Not going back. God willing!
The saying may be tired but it's so true.

[Love_Spell_6]

I received this email today and decided to share..this is so true and I know so many people that are a victim of the way they think!

Your words, your dreams, and your thoughts have power to create conditions in your life. What you speak about, you can bring about.
If you keep saying you can't stand your job, you might lose your job. If you keep saying you can't stand your body, your body can become sick.
If you keep saying you can't stand your car, your car could be stolen or just stop operating.
If you keep saying you're always broke, guess what? You'll always be broke.
If you keep saying you can't trust a man or trust a woman, you will always find someone in your life to hurt and betray you.
If you keep saying you can't find a job, you will remain unemployed.
If you keep saying you can't find someone to love you or believe in you, your very thoughts will attract more experiences to confirm your beliefs.
If you keep talking about a divorce or break up in a relationship,
then you might end up with it.
Turn your thoughts and conversations around to be more positive and power packed with faith, hope, love and action.
Don't be afraid to believe that you can have what you want and
deserve.

Watch your Thoughts, they become words
Watch your Words, they become actions
Watch your Actions, they become habits
Watch your Habits, they become character
Watch your Character, for it becomes your Destiny

GET OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY!
The minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get even less than you settled for. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.

Have a blessed day!

[Honeykiss1974]

Coming To Terms With Past Failings

God is the God of BRAND NEW STARTS and He is the gracious God who will still greatly bless and use us in spite of our past failings.
We need to come to terms with them and believe that God, our Friend is with us and for us not against us.

We all have regrets and have made mistakes...

Perhaps married the wrong person and now there is a divorce, and your left wondering who would ever want you now? Or how could God ever use you after what you have done in the past? Or may be you are a struggling single mum, regreting the past and wondering if God would ever use you now?

You may feel that you have messed up your life. I have regrets and failings that grieve me. But the great thing is no matter what you have done in the past God will still USE YOU BIG TIME and He will STILL BLESS so much.

You see Abraham and Sarah messed up and they had a child out of God's divine plan. I am sure they both regreted it BUT God said DONT WORRY, your MISTAKES won't hinder my purpose in your life. Your mistakes only DELAY them!

David failed God badly in adultery and yet God used Him MIGHTILY!

Samson was wayward and slept with different woman and yet God used Him MIGHTILY!

God dearly loves us and He will use YOU & I big time. Try not to allow the enemy to say, "Thats it! You have blown it now". Dont give up, the Lord is with you, just admit your failings, just be open and honest with Him. He will put you back on TRACK again and use you may be even more than before!

When I fail I mourne deeply but I am forgiven totally and He surrounds me in His arms of love as if I had never done any wrong.

Be encouraged, Be strong, your future has just begun.

[Honeykiss1974]

I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending..." Revelation 1:8a

A couple of days ago, I kept having this thought...."It isn't over until the fat lady sings". (No offensive intended.) This may be an expression to make a point, but the truth is... it's not over until God says it's over.

This year we went through a very trying time. On at least three different occasions we almost lost our home. I learned through that time that it doesn't matter if it looks like it's over... it's not until God says it is. Each of the three times- especially the last time- we had already received an eviction notice and had a matter of days to get moved out. With less than one day left, God made a way . If you had looked at the situation from a natural point of view, you would have said it was over, it was impossible, there was no way, you might as well give up, you couldn't do it... but God had other plans in mind... I may have "thought" it was over, but it wasn't over until He said it was.

You may be in a situation that looks hopeless, it may look like the end is near and it's time to give up, it may look like you've lost... well, it doesn't matter what it may look like, the final outcome will come when God says it's over. Man may count you out, the enemy may tell you you've lost, the chance for victory may look impossible, but it's not over until the Lord says it's over.

Don't lean to your own understanding and think that just because it looks like it's over that it is... it may not be... it's not unless the Lord says it is. So, don't throw in the towel too soon, don't "pull the plug", don't surrender, don't give it up unless the Lord has said that it's over.

Jarius thought it was over- his daughter was dead- but God hadn't said it was over. The man at the pool thought it was over because he couldn't make it into the water, but God didn't say it was over. Everyone thought it was over for Daniel when he was thrown into the lion's den, but God didn't say it was. Job's wife thought it was over and encouraged her husband to curse God and die, but the Lord didn't say it was over. Jesus hung on the cross until the Father said it was over, and when He did.... Jesus said it was finished- it's over.

Have a blessed day. Let the Lord determine when it's over.... not your situation, not your feelings, not the enemy or anything else.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Courtesy of About the Master's Business Ministry
http://www.thechristianwoman.com/

[Honeykiss1974]

Hello God, I called tonight

To talk a little while

I need a friend who'll listen

To my anxiety and trial.

You see, I can't quite make it

Through a day just on my own...

I need your love to guide me,

So I'll never feel alone.

I want to ask you please to keep,

My family safe and sound.

Come and fill their lives with confidence

For whatever fate they're bound.

Give me faith, dear God, to face

Each hour throughout the day,

And not to worry over things

I can't change in any way.

I thank you God, for being home

And listening to my call,

For giving me such good advice

When I stumble and fall.

Your number, God, is the only one

That answers every time.

I never get a busy signal,

Never had to pay a dime.

So thank you, God, for listening

To my troubles and my sorrow.

Good night, God, I love You, too,

And I'll call again tomorrow!

[CrimsonTide4]

Do You See His Hand in This Season?


Today’s Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:9–23
Key Verse: Colossians 1:13


He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the
kingdom of the Son of His love.


You have come out of the world and separated yourself from your old ways
and the darkness that ruled over you. Yet in all of that, an aloneness
that has settled around you. You just do not feel like yourself. You are
in a state of uncertainty.

Take courage; you are not supposed to feel like yourself in your
position. Things really are different. God has moved you away from all
the things you used to depend upon because you are in a new season.

God pulled you out of the world and into the kingdom. In the world, a lot
of things used to thrill you temporarily. Those were plots of the devil.
He always will entice your flesh with something that appears to be
enjoyable—until he has you hooked. Only then does he expose it for what
it really is.

Our “problem” is that we have moved far and away from the devil’s kingdom
and into God’s kingdom where there is only one “ride,” and it does not
appeal to our flesh.

Only one attraction exists in the kingdom of God, and that is God
Himself. Our challenge is to turn away from other attractions to be alone
with Him. God does not intend for you to feel close to a lot of people in
this season. He does not want people who do not have a clue about
eternity or the kingdom speaking into your life. Their godless chatter
will only contaminate the word He is speaking to you.

Do not be concerned. Keep your faith in this “in-between” time. God’s
kingdom purposes will surely be accomplished in your life. Pray this
prayer with me right now:


Today's Prayer:


Jesus, I admit that I have not liked feeling alone. But now that I see
Your hand in this season, I will trust You to see me through. Let me grow
ever closer to You.

[Honeykiss1974]

Psalm 27:1... The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Strength for Today

Give me strength for today, Lord,
Wherever I go.
Let no danger daunt me,
Whatever the foe.

Let no task o'ercome me,
No trial my heart fret.
I would walk with Thee, Lord,
In the path Thou hast set.

Let no burden o'ercome me,
Give me strength to bear.
Then I shall have courage,
Whatever my care.

Let no grief o'erwhelm me,
Wherever I am.
Give me strength for today, Lord,
Strength from Thy hand.

[TonyB06]

Years ago, a pastor, concluding his message, shared a frightening yet thought-provoking life experience.

He had been on a long flight. The first warning of approaching problems came when the sign on the airplane flashed on: "Fasten your seat belts." Then, after a while, a calm voice said, "We won't be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened."

As he looked around the aircraft, it was obvious that many of the passengers were becoming apprehensive. Later, the voice of the announcer said, "We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us."

And then the storm broke. Thunder cracks could be heard even above the engine's roar. Lightening lit up the darkening skies, and within moments the plane was like a cork tossed around on an ocean. One moment lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, dropped as if it were about to crash.

The pastor confessed that he, too, was fearful. "As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying. And probably wondering if they would make it through the storm.

And then, I suddenly saw a girl to whom the storm meant nothing. She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat and was reading a book. Everything within her small world was calm and orderly. Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world. When the plane was being buffeted, when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening severity, when all the adults were scared half to death, that child was completely composed and unafraid."

The minister could hardly believe his eyes.

When the plane finally landed and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, he lingered to talk to the little girl. Having commented about the storm and behavior of the plane, he asked why she had not been afraid.

The sweet child replied, "Sir, my Daddy is the pilot, and he is taking me home."


...Do you have that kind of faith?

[SummerChild]

Here's one of my favorite quotes:

"If you want to test your memory, try remembering what you were *worried* about one year ago today." -Author Unknown

It really goes to show that the things that we worry about on a daily basis really probably aren't worrying about in the grand scheme of things

[finaldstination]

It was a cold winter's Sunday. The parking lot to the
church was filling up quickly. I noticed as I got out of my
car that fellow church members were whispering among
themselves as they walked to the church.

As I got closer I saw a man leaned up against the wall outside the church.
He was almost laying down as if he was asleep. He had on a long trench
coat that was almost in shreds and a hat topped his head, pulled down so
you could not see his face. He wore shoes that looked 30 years old, too
small for his feet with holes all over them, his toes stuck out.
I assumed this man was homeless, and asleep, so I walked
on by through the doors of the church.

We all gathered for fellowship for a few minutes, and someone
brought up the man laying outside. People snickered and
gossiped, but no one bothered to ask him to come in, including me.

A few moments later church began..

We all waited for the Preacher to take his place and to give
us the Word, when the doors to the church opened. In came the
homeless man walking down the aisle with his head down.

People gasped and whispered and made faces. He made
his way down the aisle and up onto the pulpit he took off
his hat and coat. My heart sank. There stood our preacher...he was the "homeless
man." No one said a word.. .

The preacher took his Bible and laid it on the stand. "Folks, I don't
think I have to tell you what I am preaching about today." Then he started
singing the words to this song: "If I can help somebody as I pass along If I can
cheer somebody with word or song. If I can show somebody that
he's traveling wrong. Then my living shall not be in vain."
THIS IS A SIMPLE TEST...If you love God, send this to ten people
and the person that sent it to you!!!!!!!!

Justice --- When you get what you deserve
Mercy ----- When you don't get what you deserve

[Honeykiss1974]

Choose to be Changed
By Joyce Meyer

Do you get mad every time somebody tries to correct you, or tell you what to do, because you always have to be right? If you answered yes, I am sure that you are not a happy person. You cannot change others, but you can allow God to change you so that things don't bother you anymore.

With Jesus Christ as your Savior, you can learn how to live a different way. You can have peace. You can sleep well at night. You can like yourself. You can restore relationships that have been ruined. Your mind can be renewed to be like Jesus', if you read His Word and ask Him to help you live the abundant life He came to give you (see John 10:10).

Trust God

But let all those who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice; let them ever sing and shout for joy, because You make a covering over them and defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You and be in high spirits. (Psalm 5:11).

Many wounded people don't know how to get what they really need, so they wallow in self-pity. God once told me, "Joyce, you can be pitiful or powerful, but you can't be both."

Taking our eyes off of ourselves enables us to look to God. This positions us to trust Him to meet every need in our lives. God knows exactly what we need, and He promises to provide it through His abundant grace and mercy.

Ask Him to fill you with His power today, and trust Him as Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord our Provider (see Genesis 22:14 KJV).

Wait for God's Justice

Knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [The One Whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah) (Colossians 3:24).

God has brought a great reward in my life in recompense for the abuse that I suffered in my earlier days. Now I have a wonderful life. God blesses me. He does things for me. He opens doors of opportunity for me. He makes me happy. He gives me joy.

When you really trust God, He will bring justice into your life. In Isaiah 61:7 the Lord says, "For your former shame I will give you a double reward" (paraphrased). If someone has mistreated you, rejected you, abused you, or abandoned you, hold on to that promise. You have many blessings ahead of you. Trust God with your future, and enjoy your day as you wait for God's justice.

(c) 2003 by Joyce Meyer. Used with permission.

[CrimsonTide4]

Reasons to Wait
LAMENTATIONS 3:22-25
When we come to a fork in the pathway of life, we need to wait for God to show us which way to turn. The best-looking opportunity can end in a quagmire if we rush ahead of Him. In our eagerness to secure the best for ourselves, we often overlook the fact that the Lord has good reasons for slowing our progress.

Building Faith. God wants to conform believers to the image of Jesus Christ, and He has a specific plan for each of us. Faith is stretched and strengthened the most during periods of hardship. Though we may wish God would push back the storm, we must ride it out to understand His trustworthiness.

When we concentrate on what we want instead of on the One who provides for us, our requests can stray out of His will. We grow anxious, but God isn’t moved by our frustration. Like a patient Father, He nudges us to recognize that a wrong desire has supplanted our longing for Him. Our right response--renewed focus on Him--often precedes our blessing.

Sometimes situations are not ready for the answer God wants to give us. He may need to organize a series of events or change an individual’s mind before our waiting can end.

Patience pays off in rewards that surpass our requests. Most of all, God wants us to be confident of His presence and provision, even when we can’t see the evidence. In response to our trust, He will pour His goodness out on us. Instead of slogging through a sea of regrets, we can walk on a solid path cleared by God’s own hand.

[CrimsonTide4]

Wrestling With God
Monday, May 23, 2005

by Os Hillman

So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. ~ Genesis 32:24


All that Jacob had lived for was coming down to one event - his reunion with Esau. More than 20 years had passed since Jacob had manipulated his father's blessing away from his brother Esau. During these years God had been changing Jacob from a controller and manipulator to a man who was learning to trust God. He was now ready to meet Esau. However, he was fearful that Esau might take revenge on him and his family for his past sin, so he sent a gift ahead, while he retreated and sought mercy from God.

As an angel appeared to Jacob, he realized the only hope he had was in God. Only if God blessed him would he survive this ordeal. In the past, Jacob would have sought to solve his problem his way. Now, he wanted only God's way. He wanted Him so badly that he wouldn't let go of the angel. He was striving with God, but it was the right kind of striving. Jacob was striving to have all God's blessing on his life. He was seeking God with all that he had. "When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man" (Gen. 32:25). The only way to overcome the strong will of this man was to physically immobilize him. The angel touched the socket of Jacob's hip. It was painful; it broke him. This was the final stage of removing the old nature from Jacob. It was the place of complete brokenness and surrender. No longer would Jacob walk in his own strength. He would now have to lean on a cane, symbolic of his leaning on God alone.

It was the final act from God in Jacob's life that was celebrated with a new name - Israel. No longer would he strive with God or man. The process was now complete. God could now bless this man abundantly. He gave him favor with Esau and restored their broken relationship.

What does God have to do in our lives to remove the controlling and manipulative nature that so often is part of a workplace believer's life? Perhaps it will require a time of immobilizing, loss of a job, loss of income, loss of health, loss of a close relationship. These are His methods of preparation. Your new nature will not be complete until you've stopped striving with God through your own self-efforts. If God is taking you through this process, be encouraged; it is because of the inheritance He has prepared for you. However, the inheritance can only be received when God brings us to total dependence on Him.

[CrimsonTide4]

April 27, 2005
Why We're Sifted
LUKE 22:31-61


In this passage, Jesus tells Peter that Satan had demanded permission to sift the disciples like wheat. It seems strange to think that the Enemy would discuss people on earth with God, but obviously, this is a reality--even Job was frequently discussed in the spiritual realm. (Job 1:9) Here’s a question to consider: Do you suppose that you are ever discussed? We may think we aren’t important enough, but if we knew our true potential, we’d realize how much we are talked about in the spiritual realm.

We expect temptations in our weakest spots, but Satan can attack viciously in areas where we feel strongest. We let down our guard because we are confident of our strength, and the Enemy moves in. Peter was quick to boast of his courage and extreme loyalty to Jesus, and yet he failed in this very area when he denied even knowing Jesus. The Enemy often targets Christians and churches with the greatest potential because he’s terrified of believers who understand the Holy Spirit’s truth.

Wheat was sifted through vigorous shaking that separated the chaff from the wheat kernel. When we’re sifted, everything on the surface gets stripped away. Satan hopes to shake our faith loose from its foundation and bring us to the point where we’ll want to give up on God’s love and go our own way. If our faith withers, our threat to the Enemy diminishes. On the other hand, God uses this sifting process to purify our faith by revealing our hearts to us and giving us the opportunity to receive His grace.