Each day God is revealing not only how important it is to have a relationship with Him but, with Myself…How important it is to LOVE myself as He Loves ME! Here are a few Steps to remember as we move forward in our Life’s journey.
If it feels wrong, don’t do it!
Listen to that still small voice within
Never give up on your hopes and dreams
Never speak bad about yourself – (or others)
Avoid negativity as much as possible. We are Blessed and Loved..embrace all Life has to offer.
TGIF !!!!
Since July I have been reading the Bible, from the beginning and reading thru like you would any Good book. In the past I have read segments, even whole chapters but, never from beginning to end. At 1st it was a hard read, then I prayed about it being difficult and how God seemed so angry so often and how that is not the God I know. I asked God to reveal himself as I know Him and help me understand why He reacted in what seemed such hostile ways in the Old Testament. I didn’t have to read much further and I began to see the words I was reading from the eyes of a Loving parent whose children were out of control, more than disobedient, and just down right off the hook wild. Taking the gifts and blessings given and Slapping their Father and all His Love and Blessings in the face every time He looked up. As I continued reading God, the Father keep trying again and again to Forgive and try again with His children. Once again He would abundantly bless His children asking ONLY One thing; Be obedient and follow My guidance while ” in this house” (on earth, his Creation given to his children) But, Ohhhh no, repeatedly His children showed their colors of greed, lust, disrespect, and blatantly I might add. More and more I was understanding. Many things were brought to my mind, both as a parent and as having been a disobedient child. Do any of you remember the saying, ” I brought you here and I can take you out too”? I remember it well. How many of us have felt that way when Highly disrespected? Now as I read the life stories of those in His Word Much is being revealed. God’s Love, forgiveness, Mercy, and His continuously asking only One thing, Be Obedient in my house.
Then tonight as I read Samuel 1 Chapter 15 verses 20-25 I saw myself and others in the scenario I was reading. The message really Struck a cord. Then I heard the Spirit say, ” Share these verses and pray they speak to your friends that they might see my Love, the Love of a Father & pray they too desire more than ever ” in this house ” to Be Obedient ” to My Word.
Verse 20: ” But, I have obeyed the Lord ” , Saul insisted. ” I did what he told me to; and I brought King Agag but killed everyone else. And it was only when my troops demanded it that I let them keep the best of the sheep and oxen and loot to sacrifice to the Lord.” Samuel replied, ” Has the Lord as much pleasure in your burnt offerings and sacrifices as in your obedience? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. He is much more interested in your listening to Him than in your offering the fat of rams (your stuff ) to Him. For rebellion is as bad as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as bad as worshipping idols. And now because you have rejected the word of Jehovah He has rejected you as being King. Saul admitted , ” I have sinned, Yes, I have disobeyed your instructions and the command of the Lord, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded. Oh please pardon my sin and go with me to worship the Lord.”
How many times have you let the urges of “the people” override what you know in your heart is right and wrong. How many times instead have you turned your back on the Lord and participated in things you know are an act of disobedience? I confess, I have and like Saul I can say, ” I have sinned”. I can also testify and give thanks for God Loving me sooooo much that He gave His son, my brother Jesus, who takes all my sins and then gently takes my hand to guide me along “The Way” Why do they do this? : Because they Love me so much that they are willing to break it down in The Word and show me the error of my ways. It is times like this I pray & say, ” Thank You for never leaving me even when I have disobeyed. Thank You for your Mercy and LOVE. It is because of your everlasting Love & your Word bringing my spirit into oneness with your Spirit, I am finally with my hard head, getting it ! It is the desire of my heart to live “in this house” as your obedient child, always growing and becoming. Personally, I want nothing more than to hear my Father say, “well done my child”. And you know I do hear Him say these words! Ya know when? It is when I spend time in His Word, when I listen and am obedient to His call when He asks me to do something, like in the sharing of these words I am posting right now. SMILE
May you all have ears to hear and eyes to see. Shalom.
I think it is safe to say, ” we all have times of weak moments.” Times of worry, doubt, and fears.
According to His Word, as children of God, we are to Be Strong and of Good Courage , as He will Never leave or forsake you, If you walk in His Word not turning from the right hand or the left, you can rest in this; you may prosper wherever you go. You ask, ” what and how do I do that? “
In Joshua 1: 8-9 God is letting Joshua know how. ” This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall Meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Notice God is saying, “don’t just talk about His Word, don’t just read it out loud to be heard or just reading along.” But, Meditate in it day and night, that you may Live in it. Benefit from it, Grow in it’s Wisdom.
These days so many say, ” the book of the law” of the Old testament does not apply. ” Not so” according to the Word of our Lord, Jesus: Matt. 5:17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.” He came to show us the benefit and Love found within the book of the law.
There was and IS reason for the book of the Law; As with any Loving Parent God’s Law was given to His children to remind us of who we are & who we Can Be. Revealing what is needed to Live the Good Life God planned for our lives & save us from being led astray into the depths of darkness possible in a reprobate mind. The law is Not written to be used as a ” damnation” tactic but, instead as a guide of His Love, that we not loose site of right and wrong as we walk in the ups and downs of the trials and temptations of the world. The law is Not of No effect but, instead when we meditate on it, all of it, day and night, it is of Great effect ! Each day we grow, see, and experience how “all things do work to the good” for them who Trust in the Lord. So, as His Word says, ” be Strong & Courageous” seeking Him & His Word that you might have a Personal relationship with God the Father, Holy Spirit Mother, and Jesus the Son of God. Seek His Word with All your heart & mind, & body. In this your spirit & His Spirit become One and you will experience Living LIFE with God and walking in all His promises. You, like the children of Israel will be brought over and through any and all trials and temptations that may come your way. In this, like Joshua, you can rise up each day knowing, that you and yours will inherit all God has planned for You, His children who Love and Obey His Word.
Praise God, By experience I can testify His Word and Promises work when you work it.
His Way is The Way & the Light thru all things in this world. It is a fact we can not live All in the Positive nor is there Life all in the Negative. It is also Truth that it takes Both for existence to Live Life fully. Like a tight rope walker, he begins at the beginning and does not turn from right or left but, with confidence, trust, strong, & courageous he steps out walking forward left foot, right foot on a narrow straight path, pulling what is needed as he goes until he reaches his goal;
the other side.
It is our nature to seek and in that seeking we will fall as we learn to walk, and Praise God we do have His Love and Grace thru the teachings of His Word that pick us back up and set us back on The Way until we too reach our goal; ” the other side”
Hugs to all and be of good cheer, we are never Alone.
Thank You Lesa for this post on FB. Thought it a great one to share on my Daily Living page for those prone to Migraine’s. Or maybe your day has just given you a plain ole Headache. Try this out and feel better.
It sounds very refreshing too..hmmmm think I need to hit Sprouts!
1/2 Pineapple
3-4 Kale leaves
1 stick of Celery
1/2 cucumber
1/4 lemon
1/2 inch of Ginger
Put it all together and BLEND into a great smoothie.
Enjoy!
How often have you heard or Said ” I just want to live a balanced life.” Or how about those that say ” here are the keys to living a balanced life” Can’t tell you how many times I myself have said that or sought out trying to live “the balanced life”. Then I gave up, coming to the realization there will always be ups and downs and occasional balance, but not to often. Praise God – I learn from it all. In God’s plan of nature here on Earth, there is the positive and the negative and without it we can not Live here on Earth.
Osho said it much better than I so, I will share this tidbit of his wisdom, cause he said it just right: “One of the most fundamental misunderstandings down the ages is that you can leave pain and walk in only pleasure, that you can avoid the moments of hell and have only heaven, that you can avoid the negative and can have only the positive. This is a great fallacy. It is not possible in the very nature of things. The positive and negative are together, inevitably together, indivisibly together. They are two aspects of the same energy.
Life consists of extremes. Life is a tension between the opposites. To be exactly in the middle forever means to be dead. The middle is only a theoretical possibility; only once in a while are you in the middle, as a passing phase. It is like walking on a tightrope; you can never be exactly in the middle for any length of time. If you try, you will fall”….Osho
So, on that note: Pay attention to all that comes your way, there is Life and Lessons in each moment. Love you all.
Greetings! I have risen out of the wilderness and returned to my “promised land!”
I am filled with Thankfulness, Joy, Praises, and my heart is filled with Love.
Very soon after I arrived back in California I spoke to one of my dear friends here who reminded me Ramadan was beginning the next day. Ramadan is a 30 day fasting time in Islam from sun up to sun down – nothing by mouth. Not food or water & in this 30 days you pray and read the Quran. The WHOLE Quran. Trust me it is not a small undertaking. Once the sun goes down you break your fast with family and very often friends. When I was practicing Islam, of course I always participated and it was always a revealing time for my spirit and wonderful cleanse for my body. But, since called into my walk with my BFF, Jesus I had stopped doing these fast with my friends and unfortunately stopped fasting almost altogether. I hadn’t even realized it really until she mentioned Ramadan was to begin. In that moment the Holy Spirit tapped me too, bringing to the front of my mind how I haven’t fasted in a really long time and reminding me ” Fasting should be a part of your worship & time with God. I have sent her your way. You should kick off your return home to Cali with fasting, prayer, and some quality time with God, Jesus, and Me.” This of course brought a slew of emotions and thoughts of how I have Not been spending quality time them even when I heard them knocking at my door. And how I have not been taking very good care of me either. Before we ended our conversation I told my friend, “ya know I am going to fast too…don’t think I can do sun up to sun down but, I will pray about it and ask God what He wants me to do.” A rush of Joy washed over me with even the thought of what I was about to begin. While thinking about how I used to be so committed to doing Ramadan His Spirit spoke to my spirit and said, ” you read the whole Quran several years in a row doing Ramadan, you prayed 5 times a day talking to me and sharing what was on your mind, you took to heart what was revealed to you in the teachings you were reading. Do you remember, it is how I brought you to back to know my son, Jesus. This time I want you to read the Bible from beginning to end, just as committed. As for your fast it will be on Only healthy foods 24 hrs a day. No yeast, as close as possible no salt, very little sugar and Yes, I want you to Pray and talk to me. I want you to get out of Your way & really listen for what I have to reveal. I have blessed you with a daughter who is an Organic cook, she will help you. I have blessed you with the job to support you and have reduced your stress considerably. This is your time to begin a new journey in life, your time is now meant to be spent a lot more with Me and the family of God. We love you, will heal you, & life will begin anew. ” Of course, I said, ” Yes, Lord” and felt the push to ask another of my friends to join me. I knew from our conversations, She too had been hearing that call and of course she accepted with bells on. It is a blessing when we talk once a week and share a little of our experiences and what is being revealed. One thing that we both have seen is Just how Blessed we are. Not to mention, how we really need to check ourselves when we even think of grumbling or complaining. We are pretty darn spoiled even in the tough times compared to what the Israelites went through.Read the Old Testament and I think you will get the picture too. It was during this reading I realized and heard the Spirit say, ” Do you realize, Like the Israelites, how much mercy I have given you, how much I Love you, and it is “I your God”, who has brought you out of your Time in the Wilderness, Home to the Land of Milk and Honey; I who brought you here so many years ago” That really tapped my door in many ways. It washed all over me, as I realized I too had behaved many times like the Israelites – grumbling and complaining because He wasn’t ALWAYS making things easy breezy. Or asking, ” why did you bring me back here to this wilderness, there is so much pain connected here ?” When the fact is He didn’t bring me to the wilderness and pain, I did. He just let me go and then taught me some serious lessons which have resulted in His Promise of “Romans 8: 28: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” And Praise GOD all things did work together and for my Good with icing on the cake of Angels who were there to help and care for me the whole time I was floundering in the wilderness. Angels who are still and always will be my friends full of Love. Angels from all walks of life, going thru all types of journeys themselves, Angels of all ages and faiths. I have learned a lot about Love, Mercy, Forgiveness, about how we have no right to be Judgmental and how important it is we All learn to Love one another and understand one another. I have learned God does work in funny ways sometimes (literally Funny) and that being closed minded and hard of heart not only hurts others but, Really hurts you most of all. Beautiful blessings can be missed by being a closed minded hard head and not spending time with God. By not being obedient when He is trying to tell ya somethin’. But, Praise God He never leaves me in the wilderness all alone, Yes, I am blessed with many wonderful friends of all races, religions, and ages who are always there ready to walk with me and remind me of where I really need to go. I am SOOO thankful God keeps reminding me of How much He Loves me, Loves All His children, and how I am part of ” the I AM” created in the image of Him…the very image of Love. I am thankful He guides me to look in the mirror and see, That it is only when I pull away or disobey that things get hinky and my hairs turn Grey.
So my challenge this post is:
If you haven’t done a fast either in a very long time or maybe never done a fast at all, take the time to give it a try – Really would it be so bad to give God & yourself some Love…some quality time in His Word and in fasting and prayer?
Think about it…this challenge will only work to your good. Smile
Peace and Much Love – talk to you soon.
Please Read and please indulge me in this is a long post. I pray it reveals a message that will not only set me Free but, others as well. This past week I had a call from a dear friend who was/ IS in deep distress. You see this family came to America with eyes of Hope and a better future for their children. And until recently their experiences here, have overall, been the life of living the American dream. They have embraced what America is founded on: The right to free speech, to believe and practice your beliefs, the opportunities of employment and a education, that if you work hard and apply yourself you Can have a nice home and environment to raise your family. They have lived making good choices, Praising God , & praying they are setting an example to follow with their children. And they ARE the image of what America has to offer IF you strive for, embrace it and take full advantage of ” all it has to offer.” Over the years I had mentioned to them, don’t let the ways and the acquiring of stuff deceive you or your children. Careful not to spoil them & careful who they hang with. Trust me, don’t let it be that you have to learn the hard way like me. I let them know I love America too and all the possibilities it has to offer but, we can not put on blinders as to the flaws and negative possibilities it has to offer as well. Like the temptations of those in the world Not walking a Godly path and the misleading media information our children are exposed to daily. Because their chlldren haven’t indulged in activities outside of a walk with God ” except in little things” I think they thought ” we made it thru the teens and now we are in the clear” Wrong. They just found out their oldest son has turned out to be a late bloomer & has now decided: ” I think I want to test and try some “American” ways that “all my friends are doing.” You see he has a physical disability that affects his confidence and in his wanting to be more accepted and not so “different” he thought this choice would help him to fit in?
Has it popped into your head his choice? Yep, Marijuana. America’s old/new ” It’s OK habit.” Now this young man in his 20’s who WAS accepted into a good college, making good grades, obtained a job with High potential of creating a Bright future may be loosing it ALL due to his Choice of smoking pot. Now those of you who know me, Know I am Not a Marijuana basher and do feel it has it’s medicinal purposes for sure. Heck until this phone call had my head in the sand somewhat. But, here is the TRUTH that I found from the conversation I had with this young man’s Dad; I made the same choice as his son back in the early 70’s and the consequences of my choices Did impact my life in very negative ways. Like I was to busy “having fun” and kickin’ it so I didn’t have the desire to study and get a good education even though I Am an intelligent woman. Back in the day, I even smoked around my young daughter and as she grew up it created a rift between us that I STILL feel from her. Even though I stopped smoking ” in her presence” many years ago. You see she was embarrassed and wanted a Mom who was a Mom not a Mom who was cool. Notice I said ” in her presence” — Yep, even though I knew she hated it I didn’t quit entirely, taking the attitude ” it is my choice, I am working and working hard to provide and at least I am not doing hard drugs (anymore), plus I need to relax..I don’t drink and Pot is not as harmful as alcohol ” Excuses…lots of excuses I convinced myself of just so I could escape occasionally. Here was another excuse: I work hard and my Life has been hard..I have many days of depression and PTSD from the past – Marijuana helps me relax and have some laughter..it is not hurting me” Knowing within: that is a Lie. It has hurt me & my daughters relationship. Praise God we have healed a lot about my choices but, I know my choices affected their Lives. When you have children it should Never Be: “It’s my Life and choices or All about Me” You see even though I had a lot of energy and I have always worked hard, I didn’t have the drive and couldn’t stay focused enough to gain a better education. And that did hurt my chances when some doors of opportunity opened in my life. I didn’t qualify for the position or a couple of times I turned them down because I couldn’t pass the drug test. Sound familiar? Now, as I say it out loud, it sounds plain Dumb! Now guess what that hurt: Me and my family and the ability to provide a better home and more Time with them because if I had just given up the Pot I wouldn’t have had to work 2 jobs ALL of their lives. Did we make the best of life? YES. Did God provide for us in spite of my dumb choices? YES! Praise God for Protecting us and before it was way to late and I ruined my life completely God brought me to my senses keeping me from going to far down the road of “trouble” . Even though I didn’t continue to smoke daily, I have had to work twice as hard and struggled many times in areas I shouldn’t have. To be perfectly honest, My choices brought sacrifices that only created depression and shame within. And what result do you think that has had in my Life, in my relationships, especially my relationship with God? Funny thing: This family was one of the loving friends He sent my way to aid in my getting off the road of “enslaved to bad habits”and on to moving forward on a better Journey in my Life. Their example of Grace and Love has played a BIG part in leading me toward a Road to a closer relationship with the family of God & the Knowing ” I Can Be all God created me to BE” and that is Not someone escaping into the high of marijuana. Cause as those of you who smoke or (smoked) Know it is not the typical that when you smoke it is ” within moderation” anymore than those who drink stay within moderation. And just like alcohol when done in “excess” it has a negative effect creating lack of concentration, forgetfulness, down right laziness, and a general attitude of “whatever” For years I kept my ole hippie attitude about “recreational smoking” of Marijuana ” It isn’t hurting me and besides I have learned to smoke in moderation so, I am ok” (more excuses) And for years it has in a multitude of ways affected my future. Here is another: Years ago, I met a really good man, a Dr. , a businessman driven and very responsible who showed me nothing but, love. But, he didn’t indulge in my lifestyle and couldn’t take chances with Me that could destroy his reputation and I knew it ! So, instead of me getting my Life together and joining him in being responsible, I left him knowing there was my Angel and way out of my journey of struggles. Not to mention, I was leaving what I wanted and needed most in Life…LOVE. Now, the bigges point of this post: Even though I am not smoking now, until the call from my friend, I was still struggling with my view as far as marijuana. I don’t smoke anymore but, the reason is I Don’t want to risk loosing my Job not because I was solid in my conviction about whether it should or should not be legal. You see I Still have to work 2 jobs but, Praise God they are 2 GOOD jobs and like most GOOD jobs these days they reserve the right to drug test. Now at almost 60! I am Not willing to take the chance of loosing my Blessings and I finally see the consequences and damage my choice of “pro recreational” marijuana had in my life. I still believe for medicinal purposes there is a purpose. I have friends that have endured cancer and it is a Fact it helps the nausea during their treatments, it is a fact it aids with glaucoma. But, should it be allowed for the “abuse” of recreational smoking? The Truth is No. The truth is the effects of getting high daily and smoking “kick ass” weed can stunt your Life’s growth, it can and Does affect your relationships with those you Love, and can cause just as much or More Pain than the momentary laughter you gain in your High. I can testify my “natural high” I obtain in my walk with God beats the heck out of the “momentary high” of marijuana. So, take it from me, an ole hippie who would have sworn ” I will smoke till I die” – it is NOT a road to freedom but, in reality is a stumbling block that can and Will, “when used recreationally”, hold you in bondage from all that God wants to give you and wants you to Be.
I love you all and pray this message, like my friends phone call did me, will open your eyes to see and ears to hear and for many, like it has me, “Set you Free”
Morning Everyone!
Hope you are having a pleasant Memorial Day Weekend.
Keeping with the title I will keep this simple. This morning the Holy Spirit tapped me saying ” Going forward in your Walk remember to Grow as One in Spirit with Me, you must also walk in remembrance of “the simple things” Then enlightenment of what some of those things are flooded my mind and heart. It’s those little things that pop up in conversation, like condoning sex without commitment, drunken nights out and saying, ” well, that is your choice”, gossiping, passing judgment, or complaining instead of praising all the blessings that come across each and every day! Or just keeping that juicy gossip to yourself…there is almost Always a deeper reason for why someone is doing the things they do that are not in a journey with Jesus. And most of all Not letting God’s Love shine through you in All you do.
Well, that it is for me…I pray this post reveals and enlightens you today too. Not only will it brighten others day for us to remember, ” the simple things on our day to day but, it Will brighten and change your Life today and each day forward.
Peace and Blessings!
Just for clarity..Often it is a Norm to be a Living Sacrifice to family, friends, and our Neighbors…it is part of who we are to be Loving, giving, and sacrifice for others…then there are those times when we don’t want to or feel it is deserved toward someone for us to sacrifice but, that still small voice is telling us too – so strongly we have no inner peace in the matter..
It is these times His Word in Romans speaks to us calling us to walk in His Will not ours casting our Will aside and become a “Willing” Living Sacrifice.
Morning Everyone! Like many of you there are times I am just jumpin’ busy! I was asking my Lord “What should today’s post be? There are no words of wisdom rising in my heart nor my mind.” This was the case until moments ago when I heard, ” Share my Word, you’ve been planting the seeds of it for the last couple of days with your Words.” Then clear as a bell He showed me what verses in His Word to share with you today. May His Word be planted within you and Grow in a mighty way.
Romans Chapter 12: I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
(may we walk as Yeshua in Humble Service )- 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. (May we walk revealing Love in Action) 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[e]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Have Peace, Love, and Faith in Knowing His Word is True and Works when you Work it. 
All About Choices JC 