Things change.
In one sweep a virus instilled fear affecting worldwide travel, vacation, stock market, business, interviews, relationships, behaviors, mental capacities.
But one thing remains forever…God.
Trust Him.
Tag: hope
The Fear You Feel Is Often Not Real. 9 Verses To Fight The Fear…
Do it afraid.
We all have dreams, goals and aspirations. Sometimes these call for us to step out of our comfort zone. With that comes fear. What if I fail? How will I look to others? What if I don’t get the opportunity? The business? The job? The relationship?
This fear causes us to hesitate. To hold back from taking the step. With that I’ve always encouraged “do it afraid“. Don’t let the fear you feel stop you.
Here are 9 verses to encourage you to fight your fear. To step out in faith.
The Fear Factor
1. We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ~Romans 8:28
2. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer. ~Psalm 18:2
3. Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine. ~Isaiah 43:1
4. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ~ Isaiah 41:10
5. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.~ Psalm 56:3
6. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. ~2 Timothy 1:7
7. 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 1:9
8. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. ~Matthew 6:34
9. I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. ~Psalm 34:4
Here’s hoping these verses encouraged you to step out in faith today. Knowing that he’s got you in your time of need.
Blessings overflow!
Why It’s Important To Connect The Dots…
Doesn’t everything work through God no matter how small? The food we eat, the friends we keep, the goals we make, the careers we choose, our spouses, relationships. Doesn’t everything line up with God?
Been waiting on God‘s direction. So my mind is alert to whatever comes my way. A colleague shared some real life-changing news with me. As I reflected, I realized that the Lord had lined up everything in that space for her.
My Gleaning
So I shared my gleanings. Her response was “you don’t have to make everything so spiritual”. She’s a believer so I gasped at her response because she figures that I might end up being a little bit ‘preachy’. Convicted, she later apologized.
What’s in reflecting? Doesn’t everything work through God no matter how small? The food we eat, the friends we keep, the goals we make, the careers we choose, our spouses, our relationships. Doesn’t everything line up with God?
Personally for me I don’t want anything unless it is lined up with the Lord’s leading. My life has been one that sometimes you go off course and then you realize that you’re not in his will.
No Time To Waste
So now I have no time to waste. I just want to do everything according to God‘s will. So yes I’m gonna step back, examine, reflect and connect the dots. This happened. That happened and they’re all lined up in the path that you want …how can you not praise God? How can you not?
Today, may you back on your journey and connect the dots. You’ll be surprised at what you glean.
Blessings overflow.
Too Helpful. Is That Even Possible?
“Don’t help me”. That’s her cry each time I try to assist.
Too helpful. Is that even possible? Well my hairdresser thinks so. I often help her when she’s doing my hair. Hold my head up when she wants it down. Holding it down, turning to the side, this way or that. All going against her desire and affecting the progress she’s trying to make. So she always says, “Shell, don’t help me”.
Let Go. Let God
Isn’t it the same with our Heavenly Father? Sometimes we step in to help but do more harm than good. Often we end up in a different direction which may last anywhere from a short to a long time depending on when we learn, or get back on track.
Today, let’s let go and let God have his way in our life.
Blessings overflow!
Time For Me…
Time for me
Time for me Holy Spirit
Time for me praise His name
Time to hear your Spirit’s leading
Time to read your holy word
Time to bask in your presence
Time to seek your holy decadence
Time to praise the one above
Time to sing hallelujah
Time to shout your Spirit’s name
Time. Oh time for me
Time to hide in your loving arms
Time to seek your spirits leading
Time. Oh time for me to be with you
Examine Your Path …
A man plans his path but the lord directs his steps.
You have a lot planned for 2020. I pray the lord will lead, guide and direct your path. May all you do …be done according to his will and purpose for your life.
May you always hold onto him for his strength.
Go back to him (if you slid unintentionally). Spend some time to reflect on where you are today. What did you do over the past year? Over the past few Months? Examine the path you’re on. Does it line up with his will? If so, terrific! If not make a change.
Check your plans. Are they really where you want to be? Want to do? If so, work it. If not, “find your what” and create it.
Pray
Are you aligned? Is your life aligned according to his plan and purpose? Examine your habits.
If it is what you wish, then good for you! Keep going! But… if not, examine the path you’re on. Make a u-turn if needed. Shed some dead weight (whatever and however that looks like to you). It’s Your life …not anyone else’s. You have to give your own account.
Find your verse
Pastor D. Owens new year’s message charged the congregation to find their verse for the year. Then “see it; say it; seize it. Personally I found my verse:
“Do not Fear…All things work together for good to those who love the lord and who are called according to his PURPOSE.
Search, find your verse; and soon. Don’t rush it. Find it and let it be your guide this year.
Follow Where He Leads
Continue to follow the Lord’s leading. He’s ahead of you. Give him THANKS even before he comes through bringing all things together in your favor.
Reflect after a long struggle. Travel if you want. Explore. Find yourself. But … in doing so, do it with him and not without. For without Him, life is dangerous and makes no sense. Engage your sense of responsibility.
Aside…sometimes the lord takes long to give us something because he wants to protect us. Think this through quietly. Was their a response that took awhile to come through? Ponder …why…
You were born for a purpose from in the womb. He designed you Special…find out what he wants from you. Pray always and He’ll guide and show you the way.
Always do the right thing even when no one is looking. Always.
May this be our guide throughout the new year.
Blessings overflow
Live A Day At A Time…
Live each day one day at a time.
Funny how many of us worry our heads off about the future. At times some pass away and not even around to enjoy what they worried about. My sister had cancer and worried about leaving her kids. But because she knew she wouldn’t be around much longer after fighting the dreaded disease for over 12 years, she decided to put things in place for them to survive and thrive after she passed.
To Worry Or Not To Worry?
Some of us worry about tomorrow …what we are going to eat, what we are going to drink and more. Yet when tomorrow becomes today, we find that we have enough for the day. Often even more than enough. We are not satisfied with what we have. We want steak when mere chicken will do. We want a mansion when a small condo will do. We want vacations to share on social media and gain likes and followers when a quiet space will give our hearts peace.
As we enter a new era may we become satisfied with the present. May we be satisfied with God’s deserving provisions now. May we be comforted that like Joseph who accomplished his will in prison and rose from the depths of the dark hole, false accusers to the heights of ruling a nation during its most severe time of need.
Lord, when we are weak, make us strong.
For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to give you hope and a bright future.
Beneath The Shadows…
In the cleft is my favorite place to be. This temporary space helps me hide from my infirmities, wants, needs and desires.
Beneath the shadows I lie in wait for the Lord’s amazing answers. In between He comforts, leads, and guides. As I wait (at times impatiently) he grants me peace and quiet solace. The pace, growth, love and understanding is all he asks.
He is my peace. Hope he’s yours too.
God Always Provides…
God always provides. Remember that. He sees. He hears. He knows. Most important, He answers prayers.
So keep going. Don’t stop.
Blessings overflow.
Pondering What To Do While Waiting On God? Here Are 5 Things…
Pondering what to do while waiting on God? Finding out the Lord’s will? We all have. When we examine the past we know that some grew impatient and did their own thing while others trusted and waited patiently. Here I share thoughts on both types while meandering into 5 things to do while waiting.
People Who Couldn’t Wait
Abraham and Sarah thought they were too old to achieve God’s promises. They ended up outside his will after doing their own thing. To their surprise when Abraham was almost a century (in his 90s) Sarah gave birth to a son accomplishing God’s promises.
Mary and Martha gave up on the Lord’s intervention to save their brother. He was too late. Lazarus had already died. But still the promise was achieved showcasing one of the greatest miracles of all time.
The Disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane fell asleep. Their bodies too tired to stay awake as instructed. Later they were to partake in one of history’s legendary fate. The death of Christ.
Then there were the People who couldn’t wait on Moses to return, and built a tower going against God’s plan. They succumbed to a life of misery.
People Who Waited
All is not lost as we have the people who waited. David‘s rise to the throne. Despite his many turmoils, he wrote many psalms while he waited. Dive in. Read. Be encouraged during your own periods of waiting, depression and delays.
Joseph suffered betrayal, harm, hurt, pain. He was even innocently thrown in prison. Yet was later elevated to lead a time of severe famine in Egypt.
Noah through turmoils, Mocking and embarrassment, stayed true to the divine instructions. He built an ark and participated in an historical feat so we could have a second chance.
Oh let’s not forget Job who lost his kids and his riches. If that wasn’t enough, he became increasingly sick. Yet in the midst of it all, he refused to curse God and die. He recovered and was blessed with abundance more than before.
Remember God’s timing is always right. Simply wait.
5 Things To Do While Waiting
1. Pray
Are you waiting on:
- A job, Career change, or promotion?
- Desire for a relationship, to get married?
- Start a family?
- Health improvement for yourself or loved one?
Then Pray. Talk to him about your needs, desires, and goals. Ask for guidance in accomplishing his will for your life
2. Listen
Listen for his response. Often we pray then walk away and when he responds in a different way, we even miss it because we’re either looking for a straight forward response or are too busy feeling sad, down and depressed.
Don’t be afraid of Silence. Listen. Just listen.
3. Stay Close
Stay close to the lord so you can hear his answer.
Dr. Tony Evans shared the analogy of when you are driving long distances and you move out of an area, you have to change the channel.
In the same way when you move away from the Lord because you may be Worried, afraid, or impatient, then you will find it difficult to hear his response.
4. Read the Word
Read the word because that is one way you will hear him speak. If you do not read then you will not hear and may miss his response. We hear his response through the bible, circumstances and in some cases through what seems like ‘coincidences‘. Personally I just love those!
5. Get Your Praise On
Praise Him in advance. That’s what David did. He praised God during times of waiting. He lamented …but in all he praised. Build in praise while you wait. It works wonders for your heart, your spirit, and your soul.
Let’s together Wait.
Blessings overflow.
GREENLiGHT 