STAND

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stand |stand|

verb 
1 have or maintain an upright position, supported by one’s feet:
• rise to one’s feet: .
• move to and remain in a specified position:

 

To stand is harder than we think because we don’t remember learning to stand.

We don’t remember the strength building because our focus is always on the move.

Sure, its easy for us now as adults because we’ve done it so many times that its become routine. We don’t even have to think about it anymore. When we want to stand, we just do.

But if we remembered, it took focus, strength, and practice.

It took falling over and over, yet being determined enough to pull up again…as our legs trembled and shook, until we become strong enough to stand.

But thats not where we started.

We started weak. Unable to even crawl. We would lay there on our mat waiting for someone to pick us up. We too had to learn to stand before we walked. We pulled up on the coffee table or the fridge or anything we could get close to and lean on to hold us up.

The problem was, anytime we leaned upon anything that wasn’t able to hold us, we’d slip and fall.

This same thing happens to us now.

And even worse, the very thing that we lean on for support and we KNOW will not hold us, we so easily lean on again and again.

Hebrews 12:1~Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that SO EASILY trips us up. 

Just like the man on the mat did.

He leaned on his mat.

It was all he had.

It was familiar…. it was “easy.”

He was surrounded by a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, however, he had lost his.

He hated it, but he also held on to it because in the darkest hours, when know one was around, at least he had his mat. At least the pain he felt would stop for a little while when he moved around.

After 38 years of laying there, I’m sure he even had his favorite spot. The material had worn and visibly had holes, tears, and shredded seams, but to him, it was home. It was comfortable, yet he still cried over it.

But what it doesn’t talk about was how he got there. I’m sure he wasn’t a baby that was abandoned by his mom, left there to survive on the mat. He wouldn’t of made it.

Something put him there.

Something that each and every time he leaned on it for support, he fell to the ground because it wasn’t strong enough to support him.

Something that so easily tripped him up. Each time, putting him right back, flat on his back, on the mat.

Something that his enemy sat back and watched while laughing because it was the same thing every single time that made him fall!! It wasn’t even hard for satan. He didn’t even have to try a new thing to get him down. It had become “so easy” to make him trip and fall right back to his mat.

So he gave up.

He would just lay there waiting for someone else to pick him up, watching…as the others got up to get in the water ahead of him, moving place to place, because he now believed he “could not” do it.

He even said it. “I can’t sir,”.

But the reason wasn’t because he couldn’t, it was because he had no strength!! When Jesus healed him, what He gave him was his strength back!!

Are you ready to get your strength back?

Are you tired of watching everyone else move forward and walk away healed?

Then you must learn to stand. 

No matter how many times you’ve fallen before or how much your legs tremble.

Stand up.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the strength to stand when everything in me wants to quit! Forgive me for leaning upon anything or anyone that so easily leads me back to my mat. I want to believe that “I can” be healed from this weakness that has entangled me all of my life. I want to be healed. I know You can heal me and I believe that You will! I will continue to stand on Your Word as You rise me up in YOUR STRENGTH to be the woman You’ve made me to be.

In Jesus name, Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FORWARD

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Over the next few chapters, we will be discussing moving forward, but first I want you to know what it means to move FORWARD and what defines it. Then you can see for yourself why it’s so difficult to move and actually reach your target and receive your Heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling you.

*What does it mean to move forward? Moving Forward means the will to discover a new purpose or direction, having a new rhythm and make progress, as well as to join forces, act together and combine efforts.

There’s no either or. Your either with Him or against Him. Plain and simple. Your marriage, your parenting, your friendships, your speech, what you watch, what you wear, what you do for a living, and yes, even what you do with your money. Everything you do is connected to and represents your relationship with Him and FOR Him.

If it’s not FOR Him, you will not move FORward and make progress.

 

FORWARD~

adverb

1  In the normal order or sequence.

2 Onward so as to make progress; toward a successful conclusion.

3 Toward the future; ahead in time.

adjective

1 Positioned near the enemy lines

2 Moving toward the opponents’ goal

3 Relating to or concerned with the future.

noun

1 An offensive or defensive lineman.

verb

1 Hand over or send.

2 Dispatch.

3 Help to advance something; promote.

4 Take responsibility for dealing with a task or developing a project.

 

God has created an order for His children. He is to be first and be our focus in everything we do. When He loses his spot, we become out of order and our direction changes. We get off rhythm and stop making progress. We are not called to be stagnant, we are to always be growing and becoming more like Him. Focusing on one thing…Forgetting the past and looking FORWARD to what lies ahead at the finish line.

You must always remember: You are positioned near the enemy lines and as you move forward, you are approaching your opponent-whose goal is to stop you from finishing and bringing God glory through your race.

You must make the choice not to quit! You can choose to quit…but if you do, you will hand over your prize to your enemy and he will kill your calling. HOWEVER….if you choose to press on and reach toward the hand of The Father, you will come to know Christ and experience the same mighty power that raised Him from the dead!

It’s time to move. You have not yet achieved it, but you will if you forward your focus on knowing Him.

He’s calling you, but you must choose to pick up and answer His call.

 

Philippians 3:10-14~I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead!…I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking FORWARD to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the Heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. 

 

 

FOREWORD

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Foreword….

We all want to go forward, but how can we get there if we don’t know where were going? To go forward you must have a target. You must keep your eyes focused on it at all times. The second you look away, you will immediately be off track.

We as Christians move FORWARD keeping our eyes on the finish mark of our lives. If were always looking back, or to the side or over there to the left….we will miss it! Our lives are like a vapor and we only have a short time to make it happen. It….Your dreams that is. Those things buried inside you that you daydream about and “wish upon.” Those desires hidden in your heart. And yes, you must make it happen because I can assure you, your enemy is suiting up, attempting to destroy it and distract you before it can!

Imagine a swimmer whose ready for a meet. Swim cap on, in the water, feet firmly planted on the wall, listening for the timer to began so they can START. They kick off and begin in the lead. Then something happens…you begin worrying more about the swimmer beside you.

She’s in the lead.

She’s winning.

Her arms are going faster than yours.

Her body is always in rhythm and “her” flow is perfect.

You watch her coast right by you as you become weaker, slower, and you now feel like a failure because you came in second, third, fourth, or sometimes even last place.

“She” came in first, and first is what you wanted.

Well….my sweet sister, if you want what she has, you must do what she did to get your prize!

Move forward and keep your eyes focused on YOUR race!

She was not concerned with you. She was fixed and focused on her target, her race.

Whatever that may be for you, I believe you can finish first if you learn how to move forward and focus on what lies ahead.

The finish line.

We each have our own race. Hers isn’t yours. So…eliminating the comparison is the very first thing you must do. The two of you have a different race. You must stop being an onlooker or you will always remain in the pit of failure, comparison, competition, and you will always just “wish.”

Never once did the Bible instruct us to compete, because when we compete-we compare! The only person we are to compare ourselves to is Jesus and we ALL fall short, even her. So He must be the only person we look to!! What The Word does say is “press on to the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God through Christ Jesus, is called US.”

She won’t be there handing out your heavenly prize.

She will be receiving her own.

Thats very clear that we all have a race.

Our own race.

To get there, you must stand up, pick up, focus, reach, and move FORWARD, shaking off the distractions, with your eyes set on YOUR hearts desires UNTIL you receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling YOU.

That means no quitting until you finish.

Now…lets begin.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the privilege to come before You and the honor it is to be called by The King of Kings and The Lord of Lords! It is a privilege to carry Your name and I desire to do the work You’ve called me to with excellence. I present myself to You today for Your use and Your glory. Show Yourself to me in a way I’ve never known and draw my eyes back to You every time they wander. In Jesus name, Amen.

 

STAND BEFORE YOU MOVE

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In order to go forward, you must move.

This sounds right doesn’t it?!

Anything that doesn’t move becomes stagnant-having no current or flow.

But in order to move into the flow God is calling you to, you must first learn to STAND.

John 5:1-9~Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches. One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.” Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking!

I truly believe this is the reason we so often end up right back where we started. We don’t learn to stand first, we want to move first.

We move to a new place when we’re sick and tired and all alone, looking for healing and comfort in any form other than Jesus.

We think moving will help us to get over “it.” We try to begin again, but seem to always fall right back into the same old patterns because we never learned to stand, we only stirred the waters and moved “it” around.

We may move to a different city, a different church, a different job, maybe even move to a different partner…but every time we move, we take “it” with us into a “different spot,” just like this man did.

I can imagine him laying there on his mat, wiggling and moving his way around the pool to all the different areas under all 5 covered porches. Wanting so desperately, for thirty-eight years to find companionship and “that” would make him well! But as each year and each person passed him, the more he continued to be assured “I can’t.”

What are you saying “I can’t” to? 

That you can’t get over what your husband has done or said to you, all the while remaining in bondage year after year? Maybe you “can’t” seem to find anyone to love you, and you constantly reach for affection, only to be be rejected once again. Or are you the one that can’t be healed…you’ve given up on love and maybe even life. You “can’t” get past a mistake or weakness that haunts you each and every single day.

Just…like….him.

My sweet Sister….”Would you like to get well?” 

All your moving and stirring has caused the water to bubble up, and The One who can heal you is here, right now, ready to help you up!

It’s your turn!!

“STAND up, pick up your mat…and be healed!!”

Father God, You are my Healer. Thank you in advance for complete healing and restoration in my mind, my body, my heart, and my spirit. I release myself completely to You, saying “I can” be healed and I will not move forward until I am! I will STAND on Your Word as I pick up my mat and PUT ON my Armor! “I want to be well” so that I can move forward for Your glory! 

In Jesus name, Amen.

 

 

IT’S A NEW DAY-NEW YEAR

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Today is a New Day!

Yesterday is old and gone.

So why do we keep looking back at the old…staring backwards into yesterday?

Why do you think we become so distracted with our past hurts and mistakes?

We live IN them! Day after day….Re-living them over and over in our minds. Regretting what we did or didn’t do, or wishing “that” hadn’t happened. We say “IF” only…

Because my Dear Sisters, we are in battle!!!

When we live IN anything other than Christ, we’ve fallen into a trap.

There is a battle going on around you, and its surrounding you with the intention to steal your attention. If he can steal your attention, he can kill your healing, and he will destroy your calling!

John 10:10~The thief comes ONLY to steal, kill, and destroy.

If your enemy can keep your head turned toward your past battles, even though most of them you’ve conquered, yet they still taunt you…your eyes won’t be focused on what lies ahead in your future!

Philippians 3:13-14~I have not yet achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the Heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus is calling us.

What He’s calling you to is His plan and purpose for your life, but you will never receive it if your attention is turned toward your past.

Turn your head back around, and set your eyes on today.

Right where you are.

Broken, lonely, hurt, angry, scared, tired, uncertain….He knows. And He’s ready to do a new thing in you this New Year.

Keep your eyes focused, looking forward and listening for His calling.

Father God, Thank you for making all things new. Help me today to stop looking backwards and reminding myself of the past and constantly reliving it. Instead, call me to reach toward the future you are calling me to! Help me to press on and look forward to the unknown by keeping my eyes on You!

In Jesus name, Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

LOVE IS THANKFUL

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Thanksgiving is a two part word. Thanks and giving. They just go together. When we have a thankful heart, we give and do good to others.

We give God thanks first because He IS good. All good comes from Him and we are made to give Him praise fir it. Any good that you do, that you receive, that you think about, that you GET to experience….it all comes from His hands because He IS GOOD!!!

Even in our trials He is still working for our what?!….OUR GOOD!!!

When we take notice to the good, instead of the bad, we create a thankful attitude.

This attitude reveals our trust in Him and says we are thankful for the good He’s already given us instead of refusing to be thankful “when” or “if.”

We give thanks NOW….because no matter what, He is still good.

Our God is a good God. Set your focus on His goodness, instead of the one bad thing screaming for your attention!! No matter what kind of trial your facing, void or loneliness you may feel, tired and worn out place you always seem to remain in, I want to encourage you today to THANK HIM ANYWAY!!

When we thank Him in our mess, in our brokenness, in our heartache, our praise brings His power to overcome ANY situation. His goodness fills us with a thankful heart that overflows…even IN your trial!! It gives us energy and excitement as His goodness flows through our bodies! Look around you and simply see His goodness. Let it fill you. Allow it to make you smile and laugh again.

When we take notice to the abundance of good, we then become the fruit of His goodness to others and our attitudes and actions represent a life of Thanksgiving!!!

Thank Him today. Every little time you see His goodness. Silently smile and give Him praise!! Thank Him…for what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do…Thank Him for HE IS GOOD!!

1 Chronicles 16:34~Give thanks to the Lord, for HE IS GOOD.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

 

 

 

PEOPLE PLEASER

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Galatians 1:10~I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.

I am a people pleaser.

I don’t like to hurt anyones feelings.

I like to say things that lift others up and encourage them. This is an expression of love from me to others. I don’t lie, I tell the truth about the good I see in people. I love to see the way a persons entire demeanor can change just by a simple word of encouragement. It actually speaks life into them and they immediately feel more confident and reassured.

This can be a good thing when your addressing the good you see in others, but when you address the “hard stuff” it gives you the opposite result.

We are made to love others and sometimes “real love” is saying the things people don’t want to hear.

THAT IS HARD FOR ME!

When I say the uncomfortable, afterwards, I almost want to take it back!! I sometimes wished I hadn’t even said it!! It causes conflict and tension between myself and the person I’ve been honest with. Being a people pleaser, I don’t like tension. I like for others to like me and when they push back, it makes me feel attacked and I instantly become defensive.

Defensive is not the attitude I want to be known by. As a woman who wants to constantly walk in the love of my Father, sometimes this must include saying the hard stuff.

The stuff that others may not be pleased with.

The stuff that addresses their heart and soul.

The stuff that Jesus wants to say to them, IN LOVE, through me!!

The stuff that they may or may not receive at that time, but has planted a future seed.

The stuff that others see, but are too afraid or just don’t care enough to say.

Because I love Jesus, and am His servant, I must obey his voice and not question why He tells me to do or say something. Even if it doesn’t please others.  Even if it makes me nervous, my goal is to please Him by obeying His voice and walking in His love.

Especially when its hard.

Father, I love you. I know that I am called according to your purpose. Sometimes your call isn’t comfortable. Help me to be confident in your commands and even when I don’t see a positive result, to trust in you that you are at work. As your servant, my greatest desire is to please you. Help me to keep my eyes on pleasing you and not pleasing others, so that Im capable of speaking your love in the uncomfortable. In Jesus name. Amen.

 

 

“I NEED REST”

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Matthew 11:28-30~Then Jesus said,”Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yolk upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yolk is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.

Jesus calls us to “Come to Him” when we are tired from carrying our burdens.

He promises rest when we do that.

As a strong, working woman, I find myself exhausted sometimes and needing rest. I don’t purposefully leave Jesus out, I just don’t normally bother Him with the little stuff.

Jesus said come to Him when we’re weary, and carrying heavy burdens. Whatever is heavy and burdensome…He wants.

He didn’t say it had to be a world disaster for Him to carry it!

He is the heavyweight champion AND the lightweight champion!

He wants the stuff thats heavy in my heart, AND the stuff thats heavy on my plate!!

He knows the weight of managing a household AND working a full time job!!

IT GETS HEAVY!!

AND I GET TIRED!!!

Sometimes its my schedule….. HE WANTS ME TO COME TO HIM WITH IT so He can teach me how to rest by revealing the areas I’ve overbooked myself.

Sometimes its my housework….. HE WANTS ME TO COME TO HIM WITH IT so He can teach me everything doesn’t always have to be perfect to have my home in order.

Sometimes its my energy to cook dinner. HE WANTS ME TO COME TO HIM WITH IT so He can teach me to rest by letting the pressure off myself and have cereal for dinner once in awhile.

Sometimes its my time with my husband. HE WANTS ME TO COME TO HIM WITH IT so He can teach me to rest in his arms, not saying a word…forgetting about the world for just a little while.

Sometimes its my time with my daughter. HE WANTS ME TO COME TO HIM WITH IT so He can teach me to rest while she plays “beauty shop” on my hair.

He wants me to COME TO HIM so He can teach me TO REST!!

Jesus doesn’t want our life to be burdensome and weighted down with pressure and anxiety!

I’ve found when I COME TO HIM WITH IT, it wasn’t Him that told me to carry “ALL THAT” anyway…. it was my own expectations I’ve set for myself.

When I get overly exhausted, irritable, and just plain tired, I realize I NEED REST and I must take a minute to go find it!

“For His yoke is easy to bear, and the burden He gives is light.”

He wants to carry the weight and give us rest, but we must COME TO HIM to get it.

Father, Thank you for REST that comes only from meeting with you. I am a woman after your heart and I desire to live my life to serve you by example. Sometimes this makes me overwork and I get tired. Remind me Lord to take the time for myself and my family that WE ALL need to just REST IN YOU!! There is a peace that comes with knowing that you carry all my burdens, big and small. Produce in me a teachable mind, heart, and body that can REST assured you want me to rest. Alert me when I become too busy to slow down, that I’m not only missing things, but that I’m wearing myself out.

Amen.

 

Smile A LOT!!

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Job-29:24~When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them.

Did you know it takes only 17 muscles to smile, but 43 to frown?

In other words, it takes a lot more energy to frown than to smile.

As busy working moms, we need all the energy we have to work inside the home AND outside the home!

I’ve found when I’m in a good mood and I have a smile on my face, my energy levels up.

When I’ve had a hard day and am frowning, I’M EXHAUSTED!!!

So I started smiling.

A LOT!!!

I smiled when I felt like it and when I didn’t .

I smiled through trials, even if it felt like I was forcing my face to cooperate!

This became a habit, and I noticed I actually felt better when I smiled.

It wasn’t that I was faking it, I was choosing it!!!

I was choosing triumph over defeat!

I was choosing to be encouraging, not discouraging!

Not only was my smile encouraging and energizing to me, but it made others around me feel the same.

I noticed when I would greet my husband with a smile, he felt welcomed and loved. This caused him to smile and his attitude toward me became more kind and affectionate.

When I greeted my daughter with a smile, she knew I was happy to see her. She in return, would smile and give me a big hug!

When I would greet my customers with a smile, they felt appreciated and became regular customers.

When I passed by a stranger, especially the ones who had a frown on their face, if I gave them a great big smile, they usually smiled back!

I saw not only my attitude change, but the people who received my smile~smile with me!!

We all have trials were going through that we could allow to control our smiles, but what if we began choosing to smile anyway?

The more trouble we experienced, the more we’d smile.

Sure, everyones entitled to a bad day, just not every day!

If you’ve formed a habit of frowning, your going to have to be purposeful; with changing it.

Even if it hurts.

Lets start today smiling….

When you begin to smile again, it may be an effort. But the more you exercise your smile, the more powerful it will become!

We are called to be a light in a dark world, so lets LET OUR SMILES SHINE!!

The more your smile shines, the bigger it will grow. Before you know it, you will not only smile, YOU WILL SMILE A LOT!!!

Father, thank you for my smile. You made it especially for me, so that I could bring encouragement to myself and others, IF I choose to use it. Help me to focus my mind on becoming a light in the middle of my darkness. I can’t do this without your help, so today I’m relinquishing all rights to my smile. Let others wonder “Why I always smile.” Let them get a glimpse of your encouragement and love. Help me to Smile…. A Lot!!

Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be glad “IN IT!”

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Psalm 118:24~This is the day the Lord has made: we will rejoice and be glad in it.

There are days when the last thing we want to do is rejoice.

We must be honest with God.

I’ve found that when I take my concerns, my problems, my realities to Him, that He starts to work!

When I try to fix my situation, I worry and work. This produces anxiety and exhaustion.

When I take my situation to Him to fix it, I leave His presence feeling peaceful and hopeful.

Does it remove or change my problems immediately?

No.

But it does allow me to be glad IN IT, knowing He is working ALL THINGS together for my good, because I love Him!

IN todays problems and chaos.

IN todays heartaches and pain.

IN todays battles….

The Lord has made this day.

He is IN IT!

You are IN IT!

But most importantly, you are IN IT….TOGETHER!!!

Today, lets make the choice to be glad IN IT, SO THAT our Lord will get the glory when we are THROUGH IT!!

Father, thank you for being in this day with me. Your presence alone offers peace in the storm, and hope for my future! You know the situations we are all IN. Each of our circumstances are different, but we all have the same answer. You. You are the author and finisher of everything, and we know your presence will be with us until “this” is finished. We love you and want to represent you well. “This” is paralyzing and we are incapable of doing it GLADLY without you. We come to you asking for your Spirit to rise up in us so we can do what the world finds impossible…. be glad IN IT!!

Amen.