Break the chain of toxic thinking

 2 Corinthians 10:5

“We demolish arguments and every pretention that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”   Philippians 4:8 “ finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” 

Proverbs 23:7 “As a man thinks in his heart, so shall he be.”    Take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ!!! When I was in treatment for my alcoholism they taught us that if we let ourselves think of something four times in a row, we will have an action.  To avoid circling the drain, capture the first toxic thought and get rid of it!!! We all have toxic thoughts.  We have a choice to keep thinking of them or stop!  Recognize the first toxic thoughts,  capture it, let it go!!   Think on what is right.  Memorize a Bible verse and when you have the toxic  thought come in intentionally speak the word of God.      The Name of Jesus is also powerful!!! Sometimes when I have a thought that won’t leave me, I break the chain by calling on the name of Jesus.   I may call on His name over and over.  His name is my one word prayer.   There is power in the name of Jesus.  Call on the name of the of Jesus and you will be saved. Let him help you break every chain.

Be present 🎁

 Philippians 3:13 “ Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do:  forgetting, what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  Forget what is in the past and look forward.   Five minutes a go, is just as over as 50 years ago!!   We can’t change conversations by redoing them in our heads.   Let the past lie, pick up what you can do now.   We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength!!! I have let myself be debilitated by rehearsing the past instead of living in my present, be fully present as your present to yourself today.

Idols steal the grace God wants to give us

 Jonah 2:8 “Those that cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.”  Are you clinging to a worthless idol?   I have clung to many a worthless idol!!   I have clung to grief, I have clung to worry, I have clung to physical fitness, alcohol, lustful relationships, status, materialism, and gluttony…..I have clung to many things that are not from God.    I have had many idols.   This passage makes me wonder what beautiful things God’s grace, had in store for me, that I couldn’t receive, because I was holding unto an idol?   What are you idolizing?  Is it God?

Psalm 139 reminds us jow loved we are

 Psalm 139:16 “your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.  17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!  How vast is the sum of them!”

Psalm 139 helps me remember God loves me, knows me and knows my each and every moment.    Not a minute of our lives, He has not seen.   Still He loves each of us.  When  I think things should be different, I remember, God saw this day, before it came to be and did not stop it, for His reasons.    His thoughts and love towards each of us out number the grains of sand.   I find such comfort in knowing; God, so powerful, loves each of us so intimately.  

Believe

 John 5:38 “Nor does His word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one He sent.  ….44How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?”

Just believe!    This is the Christmas theme.  “Believe” is used as a complete sentence this time of year.   What does that truly look like in our lives?    If we are resting in our belief, why do we worry and manipulate?    True belief, is true trust.   He is enough!!   We are complete in Him.   Are you living in belief today?   Or are you seeking mans approval?   Christmas season is in our hearts and lasts year round when we “Believe”!

Rest as God did on the 7th day

 Hebrews 4:10 “for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His.”

Enter God’s rest!!  Rest from your own work.   God’s got this!! Rest, just as God did on the 7th day.       I am very guilty of working hard to make things happen without God’s rest and peace.  Sometimes God says, no.  Sometimes He says slow, sometimes He says grow.  Sometimes He says yes!! Whatever His answer is; Rest in the answer God gives you!!

Resting in God's ways is trusting in God's ways! 

Share your struggles. They dont define you.

 Hebrews 2:18 “Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.”

One of my very successful friends said to me, “I never boast about my accomplishments, I share my failures. This helps me connect with people, we all have failure in common.”   He said that 30 years ago and still I ponder his words.   When we share how we have suffered, held up or fell to temptation as common ground, it can be of profound help.    AA is built on this very concept.  I used to try to hide my flaws.  I thought no one could see them if I kept them hidden.   What we keep a secret keeps us sick.   Our sins and struggles don’t define us the righteousness of Jesus Christ defines us!!  Don’t be afraid to share your sufferings and temptations they do not define  you, they are just part of your journey.   Being transparent with others, builds intimacy; in it we can help each other.    This doesn’t mean continuously emotionally puking on people it means sharing common struggles to help each other through.  

Always something to be thankful for

 Habakkuk 3:17 “ Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.  19The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights.” 

Colossians 3:17 “ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Happy Thanksgiving 🍁🙏🙏❤️😇🏈🦃!! I love these verses today!! They remind me, no matter what our circumstances, we always, always have something to be thankful for!! Be inspired to live in thanksgiving today and always!!😇🙏❤️

Put a knife to your throat if you’re given to gluttony

 Proverbs 23:19-21.  19”Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path. 20 Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, 21 for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.”   Proverbs 23:2 “and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.”     Holidays are filled with indulgence!   It’s good to enjoy a meal together.  It’s a wonderful  way to fellowship!      Gluttony and drunkenness, ruins the reunion.   Try enjoying every bite instead of eating every bite.   It’s far better to not drink alcohol than to drink too much.  Be thankful for small simple things.  Less is more!!!

Don’t sing songs to a heavy heart

 Proverbs 25:2 "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings."  God doesn't give us the details, we are to TRUST Him in all things!!  .....20 " Like one who take away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on a soda, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart."  When giving council to others, don’t pretend to “ Know” what they are going through, remind them God knows and He has a plan in it all.  People who are a “cheerleader” in times of trouble can be especially annoying.    Be the person that points your beloved to hope in Jesus.   Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble, take heart! I have overcome the world!  (John 10:10) We always have hope in Jesus!   We can’t understand many things, but in all things we can TRUST Him who knows!! 

Live loved

 Psalm 118:1 “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. …..6The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid, What can man do to me? …..14 The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.  ….24 This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. ….28 You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God and I will exalt you. … 29 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.”   Give thanks and praise His love endures forever!!!  This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice!!  Live loved!!!   We love Him because He first loves us!!! Trust in His tremendous love today!!!     Life here on earth can be difficult, our loved ones can be in pain, our daily tasks can seem daunting.    Nothing is too big for God!!! He takes our mess and makes it our message.  Many times we have to go through the pain before we get to the pleasure.    The pain we experience in this life can make us bitter or it can make us better.  Let His love endure in your heart today!! Whatever you are going through, give thanks!!!   This is the day the Lord has made!   Call on Him to be your strength and your song!!!   He is with each of us every moment of everyday.   He is making the way!!!!  His Love endures forever.    Live loved!!

Frim panic attack to thankful

 Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will gaurd your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Yesterday before my orthopedic appointment, I started getting very anxious thinking,  what if I have a bad report? Then I thought it through and realized that even if it was a bad report, God would still with me working everything out for His glory and my good. I have a praise report this morning!!  I am so happy!!!!  I finally some bone growth in my leg!! I’ve been told to ditch my crutches and start doing more activities.   Yesterday, I actually took a bicycle ride, it was glorious!!!  I am in amazing thankfulness today!! I can carry my grandbabbies again!!!Thank you everyone for your prayers. I still have a long road ahead, but I have bone growth and that is beautiful !!😇🙏❤️

Forgiven and restored

 2Corinthians 5:14 “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.  15 And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again. …..17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation; the old has gone the new has come!”

Our sinful nature has been slain!   Our right standing with God is our new identity!! Why then do we keep pleasing what’s dead?    To stop pleasing our old selves and walk in our newness of life we have to keep turning from the old embracing the new!!  We live in our new identity and treat our old selves as dead!!   When I was first born again, I had just quit drinking alcohol. I was so excited about my new life!!!   My children would remind me, “Yeah Mom sure you say you are changed, but remember when you did…..?  I would respond, Yes, I did that, but that was the old mom. I’m the new mom!  I am no longer her!!  Today, live in the newness we  have in Jesus Chris!!!! When we’re tempted to walk in the old ways, let’s shake it off and embrace who we are now children of God.   Forgiven and restored!!!

We are made white as snow….. why go roll in the mud?

Fools air their opinion before undertstanding

 Proverbs 18:2. “Fools find no pleasure in understanding

    but delights in airing their own opinions.”

Have you ever been the fool? I

have.   Quick to speak and slow to listen.   Wisdom is applied knowledge.   Seek first to understand and then to be understood.   Even if we speak Bible verses, they can given too hastily for someone to benefit from them.  To help make sure we understand someone, it’s wise to repeat what we heard them say to confirm we understood what they said.  Once we understand the core of their issue, it will easier to get an applicable Bible verse to help them, it will also help us will know exactly how you to pray for them.  An example;  A friend tells you they are plagued fear that things in their life will go bad.   1 Look up Bible verse pertaining to fear.   Quote one or two of these verses to your friend.  Show them how to find the verses in the Bible.    2 Pray; “Lord Jesus help my friend leave his/her fear and replace those worrisome thoughts with your peace over their situation.”   Be an understanding helpful friend today!!!

Dont be Downcast God is making a way!!

 Psalm 43:5 “Why are you downcast, O my soul?  Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, My Savior and My God.”

When I am down hearted, I am worried that things won’t turn out the way I want them to. I am putting my trust in me and what I think.  Let’s put our hope in God.  100%!!   He 

knows what is best for each of us. Life is very difficult when we think we know more than God.  When  our hope is in Him, we can rest in the blessed assurance things will all work out the way they are supposed to. He will work, all things, out for our good and His glory!!   Our souls need not be downcast, but joyful in hope knowing God is making a way, better than we can imagine!! 

Be anxious for nothing

 Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your  requests to God.  7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will gaurd your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Anxiety, produces fear and worry.  Be anxious for nothing!!! When we are anxious we are not trusting God.  When  faith comes anxiety ends.     When things are huge like the death of a loved one, it can be easier to trust God in that, than it can with someone's mental health issues. When we think, we can fix things, we get tremendous anxiety, because we cant and we are not trusting God can.  . If you feel anxiety creeping in your thoughts today STOP!!  Give what ever it is to God.   Leave the problem at God's feet.  Trust He is working all things out for His glory and your good.  Many times we want to fix an other person.  Trust God 100% with that person!! Trust Jesus loves your person even more than you do.  Trust He knows and is working everything out for His  glory and their good.   Trust God loves your person even more than you do and will bring them through this.  TRUST God will use this "impossible to understand" situation for their betterment. Trust God will bring them through this and they will be better than before!!!  Trusting God fully is being anxious for nothing!!

Reject the sin embrace Jesus

 Hebrews 2:14 “Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death- that is the devil.” He shared in our humanity…He has been where we are!!    Jesus felt all the pain that we feel.  He shows us a way out of the suffering into the promise of courage and hope in Him.    He conquered death.  He conquered sin!! He gives us hope in the middle of our worse sins.  Some sins become strong holds in our lives.   We can’t seem to shake them no matter how much we desire too.   We can identify with our sinful nature above our identity in Christ.   Jesus came and died for us to break those chains!! Jesus understands!!! He loves us  even while we are sinning.   He is stronger than any sinful strong hold!!   Keep rejecting the sin and keep turning to Him.   He is stronger than any strong hold!!  Walk in His strength, courage and hope today!!!

A fool repeats his folly as a dog reyrns to its vomit

 Proverbs 26:11 “As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.”  In AA we often quote our definition of insanity,  “doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”  Is there something in your life that you keep repeating over and over expecting different results? Today this verse really reminds me to STOP and start a new.   I hope it helps you too.😇🙏❤️

Leave and cleave

 Genesis 2:24 

“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”   Leave and cleave!!

Luke 11:34 “Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness. 35 See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. 36Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted as when the light of a lamp shines on you.”

Leave toxic thoughts and cleave to the light.  We all have toxic thoughts that lead to darkness.  Sometimes we feed ourselves dark music, dark movies, dark opinions on podcasts.     See to it that you leave the dark and cleave to the light today!   Take every thought captive and make it obedient to the Christ.  So you can shine His light.  So you can rest in His light and not be tormented in the darkness.

Courage to confrontbin kindness

 Ecclesiastes 4:12 “Though one may be overpowered,  two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken!! I use this verse to illustrate a Christian marriage. Husband, Wife and Jesus, a cord not quickly broken.  When I was married we didn’t have Jesus in our marriage.   I would get mad at my husband and complain about him to my friends or my mother.  What I didn’t do is take my issues directly to him and to God.    I lacked the courage to confront my husband and solve problems as a team.  I didn't treat him as my teammate.  Instead, I commiserated with other people,  against him.  This way, I was  validated in anger and therefore my anger grew and our bond eroded.   I started treating him as my enemy not as  my best friend.  Of course this marriage ended in a painful divorce.   Perfect love, cast out fear.  In our marriages and in all of our relationships, we need to be able to talk to each other directly about difficult issues without loosing our tempers.  When we speak to our beloved remembering Jesus is in the room we are more likely to have courage to confront difficult issues kindly.  Jesus said, “Love others as I have loved you.”  Perfect love cast out fear we need not be afraid to confront issues with kindness.  Be encouraged to walk in your threefold cord today!!😇🙏❤️

See the little things

 Ruth 3:9 “Who are you?” he asked.  “I am your servant Ruth,” she said.  “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer.”

A kinsman-redeemer would restore a family’s property back to them if they had lost it.   Part of it was to provide for the widow Ruth was a widow,Boaz was the kinsman-redeemer.  

In this passage, Ruth says, “if you just spread the corner of your garment over me.”   This reminds me of; “faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains.”    When we are with someone we love, even a small amount of time with them, nourishes our souls. Why do we think that God needs to show up in big ways for us to TRUST Him?   If we treasure the little things He does, we will be able to see the big things He’s working out for our good and His glory.  Today let’s be content with the corner knowing one day we will have the whole garment.

Humble?

 Ephesians 4:2 “ Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

Humble:   Modest or unpretentious:A person who is not proud and does not consider themselves better than others.   Am I Humble?   Not if I’m prideful.  I can be very prideful.  I can think I have the “correct” opinion.  Sometimes I  think I know more than God.   I tell Him, He is wrong.  I do this by not accepting things that I cannot change. Some things I do need to try my best to fix.  But people, places and things, I cannot change.  I can pray for them,  then leave it in God’s hands.  Yet,  my pride has me trying to take control of things not under my control.    Today, I pray I can be humble, gentle, patient and bearing with one another in love.  I pray I can accept the things I cannot change, change the things I can and have the wisdom to know the difference.

The unseen can become seen

 2Corinthians 4:16 “ Therefore we do not loose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  18So we fix our eyes on not what is seen, but on what is unseen.   For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

One of my friends encouraged me by saying, “In a short time this will be a faint memory.”  Whatever trouble we have in this world, it is temporary.  We have Heaven to look forward to.  

Even if we get 100 years here on Earth.  It’s just a blink of an eye compared to eternity.  Keep your eyes on the prize today.   Focus on what is unseen! You'll be amazed at how it shows up as seen.  😇🙏❤️

Be kind even to thise who are jerks

 Luke 6:35 “But love your enemies, do good to them and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.  Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High.  Because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.  36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” 

Be kind and give graciously to people that can never return your generosity. Be kind to the wicked and ungrateful. What a tall order!!  It’s easy to be kind to people who are kind to you.  Have you ever noticed, if you’re in a bad mood and someone is kind to you it helps you?  Often when a person is feeling mean and angry, they are in deep pain.   Hurting people hurt others    Rise up!!  Be kind to someone who is treating you horribly.   Most likely they are in great pain.  Show them the love of Jesus.   Don’t give them what they deserve, give them mercy and grace.    That is what Jesus does for us!!!   Love like Jesus!! He loves each of us so much He died for us as completely sinful as we are.   Not because we deserve His love but because of His love we are healed!  Be His healing force in this hurting world today !!😇🙏❤️

Be anxious for nothing

 Philippians 4:11 “ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Philippians 4:6 “ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving, present your request to God.  7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Everything is as it’s supposed to be.  That is hard many times things are not the way we want them to be, but if we trust in our sovereign, God who loves us in a perfect love, then we have to trust things are as they are supposed to be, and he is working everything out for His glory and our good.  

Be anxious for nothing but in everything with prayer and Thanksgiving let your request be made known to God and let the peace of God transcend your understanding.  TRUST Him!!  

God is doing a new thing

 Proverbs 3:5 “ Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

In the past few years, I’ve lost my mom, my dad and my dog.  I have gained three beautiful daughter-in-law’s and five amazing grandchildren. Currently, I have lost my ability to walk without crutches, yet I have gained the ability to rest and be fully present in my conversations.   When, I quit drinking I started living.   When we loose  someone or something  it’s hard to understand.  In our losses, God is doing a new thing. Embrace His new thing!! Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not onto your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.”

Who are you pleasing?

 John 5:30 “By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgement is just, for I seek not to please myself but Him who sent me.”  

John 5:44 “ How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?”

When I am reading John five this morning, I am thinking about how I try to please myself and how I try to please others.  I’m evaluating if, I'm actually am living to please God.   Most often, I see I am more of a self pleaser and a people pleaser than I am a God pleaser.  I hope this helps you take a deeper look whom you are trying to please today.  😇🙏❤️

Are bread crumbs your main course?

 Proverbs 27:7 “ He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even the bitter tastes sweet.”  Have you heard of the phrase “bread crumbing”?  It’s a term that blames the person being kind with stringing someone along.  But if we are full of the love of God in the first place we cant be strung along with bread crumbs!!  I have been guilty of misreading someone’s kindness as romantic interest.  I have dove into that because of being so staving inside that bread crumbs felt like a meal.   Matthew 6:33 “ Seek first the kingdom and God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.”  In today’s society, people blame the person leaving breadcrumbs as being guilty of wrong doing.  We can never get well if we blame our own behaviors on someone else’s actions.   If you’ve been tempted to take breadcrumbs from someone as you’re a romantic fulfillment, take a deep look at your heart are you truly seeking God first?  Are you remembering that you are more than enough in Him? I have forgotten many times and put a human relationship above fully trusting God.   I hope this helps you today be full in our Lord Jesus Christ, and you will not easily fall for bread crumbs.

Family First!

 1Timothy 5:4 “But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their own parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.  Put your religion into practice into practice, for this is pleasing to God!   Faith without works is dead.   We are not saved by our works,  we are saved by faith.  When we do good works it's pleasing to God and pleasing to us!  It’s not easy to look after people.  Everybody feels busy, busy, busy!! When we take the time to be still, have good visits and go a little further than is comfortable, we are being pleasing.  I often forget God is watching, He is with each of us always.    When I forget, my selfishness and not such pure motives, take hold.  When I  remember; He is right here, right now, holding me giving me strength to be His light.  It helps me to let go of my agenda and embrace putting my religion into practice by caring for my own family. This is pleasing to God.   😇 I’m so thankful for my family members that have taken their time and resources to show me the love of God.  

I have a saying, “you can’t go save the world when your own family is broke.”  Think of how wonderful this world could be if each and everyone of us just reached in to our own families.

Get priorities straight

 Proverbs 24:17 “Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that build your house.”

Get your priorities straight!  Many times I chase rainbows. Putting much effort into things that will not  help me achieve my long term goals. I can get side tracked with things that seem urgent that are not all that important.  ( Steven Covey’s habits of highly effective people)  Today as I read this verse it reminds me to reevaluate my efforts and priorities.  I hope it helps you too😇

Perfect love casts out fear

 1John 4:18-19. “There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love because He first loved us.”   Perfect love casts out fear.  The only perfect love comes from God.  He loves us so much that while we were yet sinners He sent His only begotten Son to die for us!! He knows us and still He loves us!!!  God is all powerful!   God is infinitely big and intimately small.  We can not understand His immense love for us or His immense  power. We can trust in it!   We not fear because the God in this universe loves each of us intimately and no matter how wrong things may seem he is working it out because he loves us trust in his love today

Let go of worthless idols

 Jonah 2:8 “Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.”    Guilty!!  I have clung to many a worthless idol!!  I have an addictive personality.  I can become obsessed with things that are not of God.   When I was in the midst of my alcoholic behaviors, I was obsessed with making sure I had a supply of alcohol.  Alcohol had become my God.  Relationships can also become my “God”.   My physical fitness too, has become my obsession.  In AA we say anything that you put above your sobriety you will loose.   It’s the same for what we put above God.  When we seek God first and strive to do life His way, letting His word be a lamp to our feet; we let go of our pride and embrace the gifts He has given us. We stop obsessing over what we don’t have and start embracing what we do.   We start living in thankfulness seeing what we have is what’s supposed to be.   God haves us where he wants us.  Even if it’s not where we want to be.  Jonah needed to be in the belly of the whale so he could realign his thinking. Sometimes we need to be in the belly of the whale too.   “Those who cling to worthless idols, forfeit the grace that could be theirs.”   Let go of the worthless idols and cling to the grace of Jesus!!

Dont be afraid

 Proverbs 22:13 “The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!” or “I will be murdered in the streets!”

A sluggard is fearful and uses that fear to not try.   Today, i am going back for an other round of treatment.  Yesterday the pain from the presure in my ears was incredibly painful.  They put tubes in my ears and that was painful. I am tempted to say, “ There is a lion outside!”   And not try again.   Many things in our lives can be the “lion outside “.  People can fear having close friends because they have been hurt in the past and therefore decide not to let anyone close again.   We can have tried buisness adventures, failed and became embarrassed so as to not try again.     My first track meet in college I took dead last at the 400 M indoor race.   I almost got lapped!!   Then my coach discovered I was a distance runner and the next race I participated in was the 1500M.  When I raced that I broke the school record and took first place.  Never never never give up. Don’t be afraid the lines outside maybe be a little cautious, but don’t let them hinder you.

He has plans for you

 Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”   He has plans for us!! Everything will be used for His glory and our good.  Today I am starting a 5-8 weeks treatment schedule for my leg.   This verse is reminding me God has plans for me!   Plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me a hope and a future.   He has His plans for each of us.   Let’s be healthy and well today, by trusting in God’s plans.   😇🙏❤️

Wilson equals heart and heart

 Hebrews 3:6 “But Christ is faithful as a Son over God’s house. And we are His house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast. 7 So, as the Holy Spirit says; “Today, if you hear His voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as you did in rebellion, during the times of testing in the desert,”.      Do not harden our hearts!!    When we  willfully embrace the sin in our lives His Holy Spirit is nudging us to give up. We are hardening our hearts our hearts.     I have embraced many sins that have lead me to a hardened heart, premarital sex, gluttony,  lust, greed, worry, complaining……the list goes on and on.    I have had thought,   “I cant get rid of this, so I just wont try any more.”  A hardened heart is  a poison that spreads.  If I compromise my convictions in one area of my life Pretty soon, I’m compromising in many areas.  When I continue in willful rebellion in one area of my life,  it infects all areas of my life.    Be encouraged to “nip the bud” of a hardening heart.   Many “sins” are acceptable behaviors in our society.  We are His society, we are the house of God.   Is His Holy Spirit convicting you to clean house?   Be courageous and hopeful when you follow His way as difficult as it may be, you will enter into His rest!!  Avoid 40 years in the desert!   Do the hard correction today so you don’t suffer with a hardened heart tomorrow!

Dont wallow in the whats wrong marvel in the magnificent

 Ephesians 5:20 “

always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Don’t wallow in what’s wrong, wondering why….. marvel in the magnificent and the many moments of miraculous!!   

Don’t wallow in what’s wrong, marvel in the magnificent!!

We are His right not our wrong!!

 Colossians 2:13 “And you who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses.”   He makes us alive, forgiving all our trespasses!!!  ALL!!! He died once and for ALL!!    I remember when I first felt the forgiveness of Christ. I felt as beautiful as a virgin again and it was a 42-year-old drunk.   I didn’t think I would ever sin again.  I felt I had been set free!!!   I fell into sin again.  It’s this human condition.  With my sin, I was ready to take the guilt and shame back, then I realized He died for my ALL my sins,  yesterday‘s today’s  and tomorrow’s!!   There is  not a day He hasn’t seen!! He chooses to love us and forgive us through it all!!!  In order for me to be healthy and well I have to live in His continuous love and forgiveness.  When I am tempted to feel the guilt and shame, I have to shake it off and remember He died to free each of us from that. We will always be tempted to sin on this earth.  Many times we will give into those temptations.  Our sins do not  define us!! The righteousness of Jesus Christ defines us!!  Keep turning from the temptation and keep trusting God.      Don’t wallow in what’s wrong, marvel in the magnificent!!!

We are the righteousness of Jesus Christ no matter how many times we fall down!! 

This doesn’t give us a pass to keep on sinning.   It gives us a renewed heart to keep turning from our sin  and try, try, try again!!

Why do you look for the living among the dead?

 Luke 24:5 “In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”    2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old is gone, the new has come!”  Isaiah 1:18 “ Come now and let us reason together”,  says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow, though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”  

Why do you look for the living among the dead? When I quit drinking? I had to intentionally find friends that didn’t drink. One of my dearest friends says, “you can have friends that are not in the program,  but your best friends should be in the program.” The people in our sphere of influence, need to be the people that can lift us up.   Need to be the people that are willing to show us where we are messing up.   If you have been washed white as snow why do you go play in the middle of the and expect to stay clean?    Why do you look for the living among the dead?   Be a good friend, keep good friends in your inner circle.   

A happy heart is good medicine

 Proverbs 15:13 “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.”  Proverbs 17:23 “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” 

Don’t worry, be happy! There is always, always something to be thankful for!!   Proverbs 23:7 “As a man thinks in his soul, so shall he be.”   We have a choice every moment are we going to wallow in a pit or are we going to walk in joy.   Just like love is a choice not a feeling.   Happiness and joy is a choice too. I need the peace of the Joy of Jesus first to “be” happy.       I have that joy remembering; I am loved by the most high God, and the most high God is in me!!  Therefore there is always, always something to be thankful for.   Trust, thankfulness and targeted thinking on what is right.  Helps us live in happiness and joy.      

Follow the peace

 Colossians 3:15 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Let the peace of God rule in your hearts!!  Peace!! God’s peace!! Be anxious for nothing but in everything with prayer and thanksgiving make your requests be knows to God and the peace of God will rule in your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.   Peace!! Follow the peace!    I can feel it when I’m making a bad decision when I’m doing something outside the will of God; the anxiety in my heart builds. When have I prayed about something, and I’ve read the Bible, thought about what it says as it pertains to whatever I’m dealing with, then act accordingly I have the peace of God.  When I follow the peace in my actions and firmly trust Jesus in all of my circumstances I have much more peace.  Today, pay attention;  are you following the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ in humble Thanksgiving? Or are you living in anxiety, worry or fear?   Follow His peace!!

Turn over thinkingbinto praying

 Colossians 2:6 “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

My mind is constantly working overtime. I’m rehashing conversations. I’m thinking about things that I could do or should do; thinking, thinking, thinking.  Sometimes, my thinking is far away from the Lord, if I have a conversation that I’m replaying in my head, I’m talking to no one except myself today I’m hoping to take those conversations and make them conversations with God.  When I start thinking, thinking, thinking; instead I’ll start praying praying praying and be thankful. I see the emptiness in my life if I’m thinking about Kimberly thoughts, but when I look at what I have to be thankful for and realize, all I have is from God.   I feel a peace.  Today, may you be inspired to be thankful above all else and turn your over thinking into praying.

Be anxious for nothing

 Philippians 4:4 “ Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice!  5 Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  6 Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will gaurd your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard our hearts.  Be anxious for nothing! When I have expectations and they go unmet, I can allow myself to become anxious.  Yesterday, I was speaking with a young mom,  she’s having issues with her husband.  When I was married, I had all kinds of expectations I put upon my husband.  Many time I expected him to read my mind and meet those expectations.  My expectations would go unmet and often not even acknowledged, due to my lack of communication.  I would become anxious.   My joy and peace was contingent on an other persons behavior, not upon God.   Today, so I can “not be anxious about anything”, I will rejoice always, be gentle and take my requests to God with prayer and thanksgiving.    I will let go of expectations on people and trust in God alone.

Treat you body like a temple not a trsh can

 Ephesians 2:22 “And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.” 

1 Corinthians 6:19. “ Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your body.”   Our Bodies are His temples.   He fills us with His Holy Spirit that we may know Him and honor Him in all of our minds, hearts, souls and  physical bodies.   Sexual purity honors God.   Taking care of our physical health honors God.  I can get caught in  “doing good” and put my own health on the back burner.   I can also go the other way and get over fixated on my physical conditioning.    In this life we only get one body.   When our bodies are sick we don’t produce the fruit we are capable of.    When I stop and make time to get time in my Bible, time in prayer, time to eat  nutritious food, time for plenty of good quality sleep and time for exercise daily, I am empowered in my physical body.   When I don’t take care of my physical body, my emotional and spiritual health suffer.   When my spiritual health suffers, hopelessness runs rapid.   Today be inspired to treat your body like a temple not a trash can!!  Sleep well, think well, eat well , move well.    Be Holy because He is Holy!!