Yield To Jesus...

I have heard several times over the years that what you yield to is what controls you. I have to say that I totally believe that is true. Like I have said many times, we have a choice to either yield to our flesh or to yield to the Spirit. It is critically important in the life of a beliver to not yield to the desires of our flesh. That is really hard. There are rewards the Lord sends when we surrender ourselves and totally give into the way of Jesus. When we consciously yield to the higher more excellent way, our image is being transformed into that of Christ. Make a decision today to yield to the Holy Spirit.

Warn It Away...

Over the past several years I have learned a great deal about the authority that exists within the instrument of my mouth. I am still in the process of learning in this area, but the Lord has shown me how much power and victory I have over the Enemy when I exercise His Word coming forth out of the words I speak. Warning doubt, fear, and distrust away is essential if I want to live a victorious, Kingdom-focused life before God. It has taken a lot of prayer in my own life to unleash the boldness it takes to warn spirits contrary to God away from my life and the lives of my loved ones, but it has totally been worth it.

Absolutely any time the devil comes at me with a thought that is not of God I have a choice to warn it away or to allow it entry into my spirit and thought life. I think it is time for believers to ask for and seek boldness in order to exercise the authority that Jesus died to give us on the cross. We have to verbally speak to spirits of darkness so that they lose their power and effectiveness over our lives. It is critical that we learn to discern when the Lord speaks to us and when the devil speaks to us. When he does, we need to learn to warn away anything he brings to us. I have learned that warning things away truly does bring peace, freedom, and joy. It took me a while to get over feeling silly about doing this and to realize that its importance. Now, I try to remember to do it whenever anything contrary to God comes my way. Try it for yourself. It really works wonders.

Teachings...

I LOVE to listen to teachings in my spare time. When I say teachings I mean speeches or sermons that encourage, uplift, and challenge my faith journey. Two of my favorite women to listen to are Sandy Ross out of San Antonio and Joyce Meyer. I can't say how satisfied my soul is after taking time to sit down and really listen to these two women. They walk in such authority and authenticity. One thing that I truly appreciate about both women is that they acknowledge that they make mistakes. Let me just say that my journey with Jesus has been immeasurably enriched by the lives they live.

I was introduced to Sandy Ross by my college roommate Kirsta and I have absolutely adored her ever since. Sandy is the founder and pastor of Women of Excellence Ministries that is based out of Summit Christian Center in San Antonio. I can honestly say that Sandy has helped me mature in the Lord in ways that I have only dreamed of. She is so humble, authentic. authoritative, and kind. She is just a lovely woman who is truly a woman of excellence before the Lord. I can't say enough about her. The Lord has used her to minister to my spirit in powerful ways.

A New Name...

I love Isaiah 61 and 62. There is such Spirit-infused power in these two chapters of scripture. In these two passages Zion goes from being destitute to being rich; the land goes from being barren to plentiful. I think there is so much symbolism for us as people in these two chapters in Isaiah.

Before the Lord found us we were destitute in sinfulness, now He has given us a new name. He has allowed us to rise out of the pits of misery and shame. He has bestowed upon us His garments of holiness and righteousness. That, to me, is just mind boggling to comtemplate. He has exchanged our rags for his glorious riches. We have gone from slaves to priests. I just love that and all that it means. We are no longer known for our humanity and for the things that we did wrong. God knows us as His possessions and treasures. God knows our giftedness, not our inadequacies. He knows our potential, not our sin. Yes, we were once sinners, but now we are purchases of the one true and living Lamb who lives to bring immeasurable joy and everlasting hope. Come into the inheritance of your new name in Christ. He is ready and waiting to receive you and to bestow upon you His glorious riches.

"You shall also be [so beautiful and prosperous as to be thought of as] a crown of glory and honor in the in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem [exceedingly beautiful] in the hand of your God." - Isaiah 62:3

Unchanging Anchor...

One thing I am very thankful for is the fact that God is an unchanging anchor in a world that is so turbulent and uncertain. If God is in our lives we have an everlasting source of certainty and assurance. He beckons us to a life that is sure; a life that is built on a foundation that cannot ever be shaken. His unchanging nature anchors our lives in an ever-increasing hope and redemption. Boy, that floods my soul with such joy. On days when we cannot seem to find our bearings, God stands ready to step in and live through us using His power and strength. He always welcomes us into the communion of His presence. So, when the winds of this world are threatening to undo you, step into the hope that anchors life in God. It is a wonderful and life-giving place to be. It is an everlasting source of peace and comfort.

Heaven Bent Focus...

I believe that what we focus on is what we become. It so easy to be consumed by and focused on worldly things. It takes the power of the Holy Spirit to be committed to a heaven bent focus. Our flesh wants to indulge in the easy way. The Lord yearns for us to be solely focused on higher things. He wants to infuse us with a focus that looks past short-lived enjoyment and sufficiency. A heaven bent focus affords us eternal rewards. These rewards go far beyond anything the world could or would offer us. A heaven bent focus requires fierece determination. If we commit ourselves to consistently acquiring a heaven bent focus, the Lord will bring things into our lives that are far beyond our wildest imaginations. A heaven bent focus is worth the time and energy. If we give ourselves over to it, we will enjoy a communion with God that is ultimately satisfying and sweet.

An Incorruptible Seal...

I love to think about the fact that I am chosen by God. I am ingrafted into the lineage of Jesus. That fact is just mind-boggling to me. That thought brings me unspeakable assurance and security. I am an adopted child of the Most High King. Wow. As I have gown in my journey of discipleship, the Lord has taught me that there are immeasurable benefits to being His property.

One of my favorite benefits is having His seal of ownership. To know that I have the incorrupible seal of the King of the Universe is absolutely indescribable. Having that knowledge gives me a humble confidence to live out my dreams and to go about doing things that make Him attractive to others. I yearn to make Him famous. His impenetrable seal affords me the honor of carrying His divine signature upon my life and most importantly upon my spirit. Satan may try to gain entry into my spirit but God has the ultimate victory and I am totally and completely His. When Satan attempts to come at me with all of his schemes, God takes me away and places me between His shoulders and underneath His wings of protection and comfort, a place Satan is not welcome. The best part is, he knows it. I am so grateful to have God's seal upon my life. My job is to live a life worthy of that seal through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Certainty of Christ...

Today I am certain of one thing: I serve a risen and victorious Savior who paid the ultimate price for my redemption. He is not a mere prophet; He is not a myth. He is real. He is present. He is risen. He is reigning in this world right now. His certainty to me is like the air I breathe. His certainty is a sure as anything I've ever known. I am thankful to the depths of my soul for the certainty that resides in Jesus Christ. I am grateful that He longs for deep intimacy and communion with me as His child. I am thankful for the fact that He desires a relationship with a sinner like me. Most of all, I am thankful that I am covered in His righteousness and purity as I stand before God. It excites me to the deepest core of my soul to know that His power resides in and infuses itself into me as I learn to totally surrender myself and all of my desires and plans into His divine safe keeping.

In The Midst of Memories...

Do you ever have days when you are overwhelmed with memories of a very special person? That has characterized my day today. The really good thing is that I know that God is in the midst of this day of memories. I am very very thankful for the many memories I shared with this particular person. He was a very gentle, kind, and tender spirit. Our best family friends experienced a death in the family. Daddy Don was one of my very favorite people. He was such a wonderful and quiet servant of Jesus. I learned volumes about how to serve others and how to flesh out the mission of Christ just by being a witness to his life. He is now dancing with Jesus and for that I am thankful.

Jesus Colored Glasses...

I have been reminded recently how God sees me and it has been so refreshing and comforting. As a child of God, when He looks at me He only sees Jesus. He dosen't see my sin. He doesn't see my inadequacy. He doesn't see any speck of unworthiness. I am seen by Him through Jesus colored glasses. That just thrills me to the core of my soul. I am so thankful for the fact that God only sees me through His righteousness. Every day I praise Him for the price Jesus paid to allow me to be ingrafted into His heart. I can live a life free from worry and anxiety because I am an heir along with Jesus. That thought just really excites me. I can unashamedly approach God and ask Him to do and provide big things in my life and the really neat part is so can you. Know this, if you have accepted the invitation of Jesus to live His Way, His Life, and His Truth, you are always welcome to ask whatever you wish. Remember, God sees all of His beloved children through Jesus colored glasses won through the redemption Jesus provided for us on the cross.

Humble Holiness And Awe...

Holiness is something that is of utmost importance to me. I believe it is a concept that is sorely lacking in this society. Every day before my feet hit the floor, I silently breathe a prayer asking the Lord to fill me with a reverential holiness and an awe that causes me to bow down to His ultimate sovreignty and authority in all things. I also believe a proper dose of reverential holiness and awe is vital to a healthy and ever-deepening life of discipleship and love-sick reckless abadon to the desires that govern the heart of the Lord. I can only hope and earnestly pray that my heart is governed and stirred by what concerns and delights my God.

What does holiness look like? What does a life given over to the dictates of holiness entail? I have come to learn that true and authentic holiness and awe that moves the heart of the Lord comes out of humble and relentless surrender. Holiness requires a firm and permanent decision to move according to the promptings of the Spirit. Holiness is not something that is pushy, outspoken, or developed out of a spirit of pride. Holiness moves gently. It is a way of life. It is gentle and quiet, but also demanding because holiness asks that we as fervent worshippers and dearly loved saints, live according to God's power instead of our feelings or our flesh. It asks that we live counter culturally and totally against the grain of this present world or society. Holiness sets us apart for God's plans and purposes. It sets apart to live a life totally enraptured by His glory and life set on things that are higher than our humanity. Choose holiness. It leads to a life that is so rich and satisfying. Its rewards are everlasting and eternal.

Pray Constantly...

Father of Grace,

What an honor it is to kneel before you knowing that what you see in me is Christ. Thank you for the privilege to walk with you and to talk to you as a friend confinding in a kindred spirit. I ask this day that you would open your veil so that I may look upon you in all of your fullness and bask in Who you are. Please through the precious blood of your Son, gird upon me and fill me up with fresh oil so that I may wait for you expectantly ready to follow when you call. Dress me appropriately in your armor so that I may be fully equipped to contend for my faith. Give me strength to defend and honor you. May my life be a continual prayer to you, the One whom I treasure above all things. This is my prayer in the name of Jesus.

Realms of Faith...

I have been a disciple since April of 1993 and I can't believe its been that long. I have to say that it has been quite a ride. April 6, 1993 started out the same as any other day, but somehow, I didn't know just how precious this day would be to me as I have launched out to pioneer my own unique journey of faith. On that momentous April evening a small flame was lit inside the very depth of my soul. Throughout my years of discipleship, that little flame has grown, and sometimes it has threatened to be extinguished as my spirit and the very core of my faith has weathered trials in order to ultimately be romanced, pursued, and drawn into the center of the Lord's certainty and unrelenting authenticity. There have been times of stagnant complacency, but there have been many more seasons where my faith has had to make a decision to grow, mature, and press on to higher realms.

God has used the image of light in order to show the depth and degree of my faith. From that first moment, as I came out of the waters of baptism, the little flame of faith has been on a journey of its very own. During my adolescent years I held to my faith with white-knuckled determination as I went through the turbulent winds of finding my identity. To be absolutely truthful, it has been my goal since those middle-school and high school days to persistently and confidently hold to the reality of the Lord. I have had to depend on something deeper and higher all of the days of my life in the natural realm.

I can confidently say that my journey these days is just the best. It truly is the most fulfilling part of my life because out of it flows everything else that resides in the core of who I am. My prayer is that my faith is seen by God in the heavenly places as a roaring fire that is ever-deepening and growing, and becoming brighter and purer with every passing day. It is my life's mission to learn to love God with a ruthless abandon; to not allow the world or humanity define the confines of my relationship with Him. This road I have chosen is one filled with joy, challenge, trial, rich fulfillment, and ultimate satisfaction and sufficiency. How has the Lord shown you the degree of your faith? Are you at a place of growth, complacency, or dormancy? May you desire to let your faith become like a raging glorious fire set on the altar of the Lord.

An Extravagant Invitation...

We have an extravagant invitation as members of the human race. The extravagant invitation is a relationship with Jesus Christ. The sad thing is that everyone on this earth will not choose the path of relationship with Jesus. That realization honestly breaks my heart. Furthermore, it absolutely grieves the heart of God. There are so many broken, shattered, and hungry hearts in the world that just cannot accept the fact that the Son of God paid their debt once and for all. The Father longs to scoop those hearts onto His lap and sing His delight over them. He is earnestly seeking and roaming the earth to romance and pursue those hearts. For that, I am so grateful. I am also astounded at His stubborn faithfulness in a fallen and weak and broken world. There is absolutely nothing that is more urgent on the heart of God than the salvation of every person on the face of this earth. I've seen time and time again that this is His one pure and holy passion: to win the souls of hurting and hungry people. As believers, it is our calling to live lives that attract others to the feet of Jesus so that His aroma can be taken to every corner of this natural realm. We are to live as walking "Words" of God. Will you accept the extravagant invitation of Christ Jesus?

"[No] you yourselves are our letter of recommendation (our credentials), written in your hearts, to be known (perceived, recognized) and read by everybody." - 2 Corinthians 3:2

"But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of God's vicory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere. For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which exhales] unto God, [discernible, alike] among those who are saved and among those who are perishing. To the latter it is an aroma [wafted] from death to death [a fatal odor, the smell of doom]; to the former it an aroma from life to life [a vital fragrance living and fresh]." - 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Thin Places...

I recently had an experience with the Lord that has been etched into my mind's eye. This experience occurred in the midst of my soaking time on one Monday evening. In case you don't know what soaking is, it is a time set aside to wait in the presence of the Lord for Him to speak to our hearts in times of quiet reflection. Sometimes there is someone speaking with music in the background and sometimes there is only instrumental music. The really cool thing is that you are invited to get as comfortable as you possibly can so that you can focus and be present as the Lord spends time with you. I absolutely love it. Soaking is a thin place in my week.

A thin place is where God invades the natural realm and a piece of heaven can be seen or felt. Now, that is just my definition. If I really think about it, there are thin places everywhere because God is constantly on the move. He is always wanting to reveal more of Himself to those who earnestly devote themselves to looking for evidence of His presence. It is so much fun to search for God in everything. I constantly pray that I will have a spirit that is receptive and open to the Lord; that my spirit will be one hundred percent accessible to Him in all seasons, in all circumstances, and in all I do and say. Now I wonder if you have thin places in your lives. Take time today to ask God what the thin places are for you. It will most likely surprise you what He reveals. It has left me astounded at times. He truly is everywhere. Open your eyes and your spirit to search and find Him. He is expectantly searching and longing for you. He is especially fond of you and you are His favorite. That is one thing that the sacrifice of Christ bought us--the opportunity to be the apple of God's eye.

"Keep me as the apple of Your eye." - Psalm 17:8

Lasting Fulfillment...

There are so many things in this world that promise fulfillment. Money, status, and material possessions are only a few of the things on that list. Men, women, and children are constantly bombarded with messages that promise fulfillment, but rarely deliver. As I have gone through life, I have found only one thing that provides lasting, true, and ultimate fulfillment--Jesus Christ. Having a relationship with Jesus is the most soul-satisfying and fulfilling thing I have ever known. You may ask, "Why is it so fulfilling?" My answer would be because God does not measure success or failure by the size of my bank account, my waist size, or the size of my home. He decided two thousand years ago that I was worth the sacrifice of His only Son. Now, I think that is pretty remarkable. My job on earth now is to live a life that is worthy of that sacrifice and to let as many people in on this precious gift as possible. Are you looking for worldly things to fill the hole that was custom made for God? Are you wandering around without purpose or direction? Consult the Lord and commit your way and your life to Him. It truly is the best thing there is.

Soul Seasons...

Have you ever noticed that the soul goes through seasons? I sure have. My own soul has experiened many different seasons as it has been in a process of maturing in the Lord. I think seasons of the soul serve as opportunites to grow and become better equipped for the work the Lord has for us to do. Through different seasons of the soul, the Lord teaches us how to depend on Him and Him alone and not solely on our own strength. Seasons bring so much to our lives. These times bring nourishment, refinement, and ultimately growth that we could not achieve otherwise. Seasons of the soul truly benefit those who are in Christ because they teach us what we need to work on in order to become a stonger threat to the devil.

Confidence...

Confidence is very important in the world we live in. I have to point out though, that learning how to grow in humble, godly confidence is the way to go. Growing into a person of confidence provides peace and worth. Confidence allows us to go for our dreams and to realize that we have what it takes to see them come true. If a person is confident, they know that their worth is not measured only by success or failure, it comes from the person that they are. If men and women take the time to grow in confidence it will bring a deep and rich satisfaction that the world cannot destroy.

Confidence is a decision. Every day when our eyes open and before our feet hit the groud, we decide to be confident or to be overtaken by worry or doubt. Take it from someone who knows, choosing to be confident saves so much time. Another thing is that we honor and please God when we choose confidence. He did not create us to be ruled by doubt, fear, or inferiority. Ultimately, confidence equals true and lasting happiness. Choose to be confident.

Be Still And Know...

I never take enough time to be still. I live in a world that constantly bombards me with reasons to keep moving and to keep producing. To be honest, it gets old. My body gets tired and run down as a result of these messages and my mind races. This present world thrives on activity and constant motion. The world tells us our worth is measured by how much we accomplish and how prominant we are. Worldly success and noteriety comes at a very high price. The invitation of heaven is vastly different from what is seen in the natural realm, in what we can physically see and touch.

Heaven invites us to be still and to enjoy the presence of God that is all around us. God desires us to take time to ask Him what is on His heart. He wants us to move at His pace. Being still gives an opportunity to be refueled, repurposed, and redefined in God. I have a place where I am still every week. Monday nights are my time to be still and to ask God to allow heaven to invade earth. I am able to be still and to really listen and receive His love and mercy. Soaking ushers me into a time of stillness and content solitude with Him. It is only when we are still that the Lord can reveal His heart to us. I want more of that. I truly desire to see heaven invade earth. We need regular times when we are taken away with the Lord in order for Him to minister to us in ways that only He can. It is essential in order to be healthy and active. I hope you have a place and time when you are able to be still and know.

"Be still and know that I am God." - Psalm 46:10

Possessions...

My bible is my most treasured material possession on earth. People who know me well know that I have it with me almost all the time. I spend hours in it daily. It nourishes me, encourages me, and teaches me. It is a close friend of mine. Being in it is one of my very favorite things in the world. This Amplified bible is the one I study in and it has been very well used. It is safe to say that without this particular bible I cannot function. I know this for sure. I have had to learn to function while it has been missing before.

Last Sunday, I thought that I brought it with me to church and I thought I sat it down on the floor in front of my seat in the auditorium. I am usually very good about picking it back up before I begin singing the last song in our worship assembly. Last week when my family returned home, I realized that I had not picked up this bible and I thought it was a goner. I was very sad. I looked at church on Tuesday after Ladies class and it was gone. I let the staff in the church office know to keep their eyes open and to let me know if it showed back up. I mean I let every member of the church staff know. I was not going to leave one stone unturned. I was on a serious hunt. I just HAD to find this bible. As I pointed out before, it is practically one of my appendiges. I was so desperate, I had my group in Ladies class pray that I find it. Well after a week of searching, my mom found it...waiting patiently beside the door leading to my parents garage. My favorite bible and I are now joyfully reunited and deleriously happy to have one another again. Do you have a precious material possession such as this? I sure hope so.