Your Real Home

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My child, I will give you strength. I have called you but I will not leave you to your own devices. My works will be accomplished. My plans will be established. I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go. I will counsel you with My eye upon you. I will pour out My mercy and lovingkindness. I will lift up your countenance and give you hope. Put your hope in Me alone. Be joyful and sing praises. This is not your home. Remember you are just passing through. Your real home is with Me.

 

Not just Troops but Fighters

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Recently I woke up in the early hours of the morning (one of those expedient bathroom calls). Getting out of bed the thought came to me: “We need to stop being troops and start being fighters.” What an odd thought to have, especially under those circumstances. As I reflected on it later that morning, I concluded that it could only be the Lord speaking to me. But what did He mean?

Here is what I’m sure God was saying: We often talk about being a part of God’s army, not realizing what that really should entail. We are happy to serve Him, but not always willing to go beyond the routine duties of the Christian life. We are merely another one of the troops. Yet God is calling not just for troops but troops who are willing to fight.

Being a fighter in God’s kingdom means being willing to tackle any order He may issue. It means being diligent and persevering in whatever you think He has called you to do. He wants to use us in ways we could never really dream possible. But He can’t do that with any old member of His troops. God must have fighters serving Him. Only then will He be able to reach through His Church to impact this wounded and dying world.

 

 

Real Faith

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My Child, it’s easy to trust Me when everything is going well. Real faith is needed when things are not going as you expected, when the world seems out of control, when your life seems to be falling apart. That’s when real faith is necessary. Don’t let trials and setbacks take you by surprise. They will happen. Life is not always smooth sailing. But your heart and mind can remain in peace if you keep your focus on Me. I am your peace, not your circumstances.

Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You.”

Cardio – What gets you moving?

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The best form of cardio (aerobic) exercise for you is the one that you will get out and do on a regular basis. But what type is best for you? Only you can answer that. There are so many options out there but the one that will benefit you the most is the one that you’ll do consistently. Walking is probably the best place to start if you don’t do anything right now. You can start walking with a minimum investment of a good pair of shoes. The benefits to walking  are too numeours to list, but two big ones are: burning fat and developing a stronger heart. Can you use a little of those? Me too! Try taking a walk for 30 to 60 minutes. Your body will love you for it. Go for a prayer walk around your neighborhood. Take a friend or your spouse. It’s a great way to start the day or clear your head after a long day at work.

Other great cardio exercises are, running/jogging outdoors, treadmill, bicycling indoor or out, elliptical machine, stairclimbers, cross country skiing and dancing. Whatever you choose to do, do it for 30 to 45 minutes at a time. Set a goal of doing some form of cardio exercise at least 3 times a week. Pretty soon your body will crave it!

God’s promise: the great motivator

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The gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ is in essence the promise of God to mankind. We receive that promise by faith. But prior to faith ever taking root, hope is first born in our heart through God’s promise. Hope always precedes faith because only hope provides us the motivation to believe. It is the catalyst by which faith is activated. Our faith pleases God, who freely imparts His righteousness as a gift of grace. Faith is much more than a superficial belief in God. We ultimately obtain the promise of the gospel by living our lives through what Paul calls the obedience of faith—the type of behavior which offers proof of a thriving faith.

(Excerpted from “Free from the Power of Sin: The Keys to Growing in God in Spite of Yourself”)

In My Presence

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Psalm 84:11 says, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield. The Lord gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

The Lord spoke this word to me this morning and I know it’s for someone else besides me.

My Child, I am your shield and strength. My grace is sufficient for you. Come into My courts with praise. Come and find rest in My presence. The cry of your heart has been heard. I know the longing of your soul. In My presence you will find rest. In My presence you will have peace. No good thing will I withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Be blessed today!

The Weakness of our Flesh

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Our flesh is weak, isn’t it? It wasn’t long after experiencing the awesome change of being born again that I started to notice some chinks in my armor. What’s this all about, I wondered? Why, if I truly did undergo such an incredible transformation, would I have even a remote desire to return to the things that were so destructive in my life? It amazed me because I knew from prior experience that sin could never be a source of lasting joy. And yet I was willing to toy with it. Could I really be that stupid?

And another issue bewildered me. Why was I now completely set free from some old habits while others sprang back with a vengeance? Yet there they were! I certainly couldn’t deny the reality of their existence. But why would God allow some weaknesses to plague me when He so mercifully delivered me from others?

(Excerpted from “Free from the Power of Sin: The Keys to Growing in God in Spite of Yourself”)

I Hold The Future

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My child, you don’t have to worry or be anxious about what the future holds because I hold the future. I hold you in the palm of My hand. If you remain in Me then I will place you where I want you. So don’t fret. Just learn to abide in Me, believing that My plan is unfolding as you walk in obedience with Me. Believe Me My child. Your future is bright. Make the most of the “now”. I will take care of the rest.

Matt. 6:34 “Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Whole – Living Foods

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Do you ever feel like you’re dragging? Don’t have the energy that you’d like to have? Incorporate more whole and living foods into your diet. What do I mean when I say whole, living foods? Eat foods as close to the way God made them as possible. Cut back on processed foods. When you start eating more foods that are alive, you’ll end up with more energy. It makes sense doesn’t it? It doesn’t take long for food that is alive to enter into your blood stream and energize your cells. If you need energy, think twice about over stimulating your body with something that will leave you dragging in a few hours. Try eating fresh fruit instead. Or if you’re craving something sweet, eat a date. It’s natures candy! Want something salty, celery fits the bill. I have found that for every craving, God has the perfect food. When I eat food that is alive, fresh and whole I am satisfied longer and am more energetic. I don’t come crashing down either. My moods are level and I’m a much happier person. Do this little experiement: Compare the calories in an apple and a cookie. Eat the apple. Savor every bite. See how long it keeps you satisfied. I bet that you’ll be much more satisfied than if you’d eaten that cookie. When it comes to needing energy, you need carbohydrates. Just choose whole and living ones. I used to think that I was carb-sensitive. But that’s a discussion for another time. Just give this one thing a try. See how your body reacts by adding more whole, living foods into your diet every day. Your body will love you for it!