Taking Back what the Enemy Tried to Steal From ME!!!! NO WAY!!!

I Have a Reason to Worship - Yes Even in the Desert!

Not sure where you are right now, but I am in a desert place and waiting to come out the other side!  Patience is a virtue and I have to say I'm trying to be as patient as I can be, but I have come too a point I'm quiet now after all the emotions that have run though me in the last 2 wks.  The word I have for that is "Spiritually Numb"!  It's funny when I looked up that word today the next 2 articles came up which really encouraged my heart a lot especially the article following this song.  I'm thinking wow, I'm on the right track and God must be doing something mightily in my life and I just have to wait this desert storm out and see what he has in store for his daughter and her family. I asked back in 2012 to go deeper and deeper I have been going and yes there has been pain but growth through it all.  May this song encourage you right where you are at today!! God Bless you!!

In The Desert Place? This Article is So Encouraging!!

 

 Feeling Spiritually Dry

by Matt Slick
Have you ever felt as though you couldn't hear the Lord's voice if He were next to you shouting your name? Have you been or are you now in a period of spiritual dryness? If you have had a spiritually dry time and are now past it, then praise God. If, however, you are in the midst of one, then maybe this can help you.
First of all, it isn't necessarily bad to be in a spiritually dry place unless it is because of sin. If we commit a sin that we know the Lord wants us to abandon, then He often withholds His fellowship from us. We sense a distance between the Lord and ourselves, and it hurts. Of course, this does not mean that the Lord is abandoning us, nor does it mean He does not love us. If anything, it is a demonstration of His love to let us feel broken fellowship since it moves us to repentance.
On the other hand, spiritual dryness can be a specific time that the Lord wants us to go through as a time of testing and of preparation. The Lord will allow us to be tested into order to refine our faith. Think about it. Do we stay Christians because of the feeling of fellowship we have with the Lord, or is it because we trust in Jesus, God in flesh (John 1:1, 14) as our Savior and Lord (Jude 4)? We are justified by faith (Rom. 5:1), and our assurance of salvation is found by faith, not by feeling. After all, "The just shall live by faith," (Hab. 2:4). Therefore, the Lord can use a spiritually dry time to cause us to examine what and who our faith is in so that we might rest assured in the cross and not in our feelings that can deceive us (Jer. 17:9).
Spiritual dryness can also be a time of preparation. Most every major person in the Bible that was used mightily of God had to go through a desert time. This includes Moses, Elijah, Jesus, and Paul. Being in a place where we are dry, waiting, wanting, praying, examining, etc., is often the proving ground of strength and refinement. Then, after this time is completed, the thing that we have been prepared for comes upon us. Sometimes this preparation is for hardship, sorrow, and pain. Other times it is for blessing, reward, and ministry. Remember, the Lord has not saved us to be trophies on a shelf. We are instruments in His hands to be used in the world. This usage requires that we be able to be used, able to be sent, able to trust the Lord in spite of what we see and feel--hence, the time of spiritual dryness that is a time of preparation.
What do you do in a time of spiritual dryness? First of all, you should ask the Lord to reveal any unconfessed sins of which you have not repented. If He reveals anything to you, then confess it as sin and repent of it even if it is a sin you have committed so many times before. Second, you must read your Word regularly. Third, you must pray regularly. And fourth, you must trust the Lord through this. You must look to Him and remember that He loves you greatly and will never forsake you. In this, your faith will be perfected, your character improved, your walk strengthened, and you will be prepared for the tasks ahead that the Lord has called you to encounter.
And finally, in the midst of your dryness, offer praise and thanksgiving to the Lord. Do not let your feelings rob you of the opportunity to praise and thank God even when the times are not so great. Remember, it is easy to praise God when things go well. But the true men and women of Christian character praise God through the trials as well.

When you Feel Spirtually Numb

When You’re Spiritually Numb…

• by caryschmidt

Have you ever been completely bewildered? Emotionally, spiritually, or relationally numb? Wondering where you are in life, how you got there, where God went, and what to do next? Are you there now? You’re not alone. But you are vulnerable.
Life’s biggest mistakes are often made right where you are right now. SO… before you do the wrong thing, stop, take a breath and consider these thoughts:
1. God has not forgotten you. Wonder where He is? Think you ran far from Him? He’s right there and He knows exactly where you are. Turn to Him and wait upon Him.
2. God works in the silence. Often in His Word He is working when men doubted Him the most. Think Joseph in jail. Jonah in the fish. John the Baptist on the guillotine. Elijah in exhaustion. David in hiding. Paul in prison. Or Jesus in the tomb. God works when it seems like nothing is happening. Just wait.
3. God brings blessings from bewilderment. When we refuse to let go of Him, no matter how hopeless we feel, that expresses a special kind of faith that He always blesses. Your thorn is a blessing and God will someday use it in ways you cannot imagine right now.
4. God is using even your bewilderment in ways you cannot know yet. Someday you will look back on how you feel right now and thank God for what He did, what He taught you, or how He somehow made it all worth it.
5. God strengthens us through testing times. Future blessings require you to have broader shoulders. God may be exercising your faith to strengthen you for His future plans.
6. God blesses us on the other side of testing times. It’s what He does. He rewards faith. He honors them that honor Him. He tests then He blesses. Don’t give up before the blessing.
7. God is going to give you the grace you need right now. You may feel overwhelmed, but stop for a moment. Wherever this post finds you—just pause. You are alive. You are saved (if you know Christ). You are able to praise. You are able to cry out to Him. You have hope. Right now, you are experiencing grace. And as long as you look to Him, He will keep giving you the grace you need when you need it.
8. God is with you whether you sense Him or not. He is not a feeling or emotional experience. He is. He is truth. He is absolute. He is with you right now and always will be. Rest in Him. Accept His presence. Be still and know that He is God.
9. God is rejoicing over you, not angry at you. You feel like you’ve let God down? You think He’s probably really put out with you. You’re wrong. If you are in Christ, you are in grace—you are COMPLETE in Him. God crucified His son so He could rejoice over you! Accept it. It’s true.
10. God will get you through. When isn’t the issue. How isn’t the issue. In His time and His way—He will. He will! Don’t quit, give up, or do something self-destructive. He will get you through!
And here are a few things to do—while you wait on God to know “what to do next.”
1. Remember that emotions are liars—feelings change rapidly. They are too dependent on our physiological chemistry, our diet, our rest patterns, our environment (like even weather!), and our circumstances. Don’t trust feelings! They only occasionally tell the truth.
2. Hold on to truth over emotions—Truth makes us free. Emotions deceive us. Go to God’s Word and tie yourself off, like a guy tying off to a pillar in a hurricane. Anchor yourself to what God says it absolute and true.
3. Listen to God over emotions—Let your emotions howl. Let feelings rage like a midnight thunder storm. Through it all, God’s still small voice will keep you in a fixed, safe position. The storm will pass. Eventually your emotions will come back into line with truth—and then you will be really glad you didn’t let them lead!
4. Think beyond your emotions—Do you remember a day you didn’t feel the way you do now? Even so, another day will come and you will look back on today, glad the feelings are gone. But the decisions you make today will follow you. Think beyond today’s emotions to the long lasting, devastating impact that wrong decisions will leave. Long after the emotions are gone, the horrific consequences of bad decisions will continue to unfold.
5. Speak out to God—God responds to audible requests for His help! Open your mouth, lift your voice, and talk out loud to Him. I know—it feels weird, but it’s a biblical reality that God responds to this kind of flagrant faith!
6. Speak truth to yourself—You believe yourself more than anyone else. So talk truth to yourself. Speak God’s Word to yourself. Overpower the internal negative conversation with external truthful conversation. Shout your emotions down with truth!
7. Surround yourself with stability—Resist the impulse to isolate yourself. Get around people who will love you, pray with you, and help you keep your head above water until the emotional flood subsides.
8. Open up to Christian friends—Let those who love you minister to you. Trust them. Let God use others to salve you and guide you until you regain your bearings in life.
9. Patiently endure—The Bible has a lot to say about enduring. It is God’s call for us to sometimes just endure—to patiently, faithfully hold onto Him until He stems the tide of trial. He builds and blesses those who endure.
10. If you have exhausted spiritual pursuits, don’t rule out professional medical evaluation—I know this one seems out of left field, but many Christians never want to connect any physiological factor to deep or prolonged emotional struggles. This is unwise. Sometimes emotional despair can be verifiably tied to legitimate physiological conditions, and in those cases, medical solutions can prove helpful.
Spiritually numb? Feeling in a fog? Don’t do something that you will regret once the fog has lifted and truth reveals itself afresh in your heart.
“For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.” 1 John 3:20

What Does it Mean to Encourage Yourself in the Lord?

 But David encouraged himself in the Lord. I Samuel 30:6


What does it mean to encourage yourself in the Lord?   To me it means encouraging myself in the word and not rely on man to give me that encouragement that we all yearn for ever so often. Oh Yeah been there many times and still am at times. :)
There are days that can go by and it really is just waiting on him and not that text or phone call that one thinks will be that lifter upper.  I tend to get into the word, worship and just laugh and know He is God and even cry as well.  Not always easy, but it's getting easier as time goes on.  I am rather enjoying hanging out with God and myself.  A very satisfying taste that no one can satisfy.  Don't get me wrong,  I love hanging out with my family and hubby but we have designated times with one another and we each have our own time as well which is healthy.   It's rather beautiful if I must say. :)  I also love hanging out with my friends, but it's been a season of just God and I.  I must say, it's been downright tough and didn't like it one little bit when it first started 2 yrs ago.  My Heavenly Father has brought a few relationships back into my life of old and new, but not everybody for such a time as this.   So if you find yourself in a desert place, don't be dismayed, He is doing a mighty work in you and watch out, the fruit of it all will be downright worth the wait.  Not only that, you may be pleasantly surprised how much you like to hang out with Him and yourself.  Nothing satisfies just like Him and never will for me!! I'm happier for it!!

This song Down by the River reminds me alot of me going down by the river to pray.  That is where I go to pray alot in the summer by a waterfalls and it's the most sacred place for me the last 4-5 yrs. When I discovered this song, I said, wow, that is so me.  I love this encouraging song.   The Waterfalls,  I call it my sanctuary and visit it all seasons of the year.  May you be blessed as you listen to this encouraging uplifting song!!
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10

My Words Speak Life or Death! Did you know yours does too?

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 

Thessalonians 5:11  

Before I comment further this video is symbolic and there are no actual deaths in this video, it's demonstrating what our words do to one another when we speak words that hurt.  I really hope you watch this video, it's encouraging and will make you think the next time you even put your loved one down.  Speaking too myself as well!!  Out of the mouth of a young babe brings everyone back to life!! It's beautiful and so meaningful with the lyrics and video! 

I think we go along in our day and don't realize that the words that come out of our mouth speak life or death to the other person we are talking too.  Words can tear down or build up.  Let's be the change and build up instead of tear down one another.  Don't know if you realize it or not, but you are a tool in the hand of the one that made you and every time you step out and speak or do for someone else, you are actually speaking life or death into that person.

 I challenge you today to be that change.  It all starts with you and me!  Remember, that mere smile passing that person in the grocery store can do something internally to that person passing by.  Our actions speak louder than words.  It really does!!  Be the Change today!!

I Love Mission work and Feeling I'm in a Season of doing Mission work in my own Province

I love getting in my van and driving and not knowing where I will end up.  Not knowing who God has in my path. Not knowing who will impact my life or I them that day.  A lot of times we think that we are ministering to others, but at the same time we are being ministered too.  God uses that person to grow us as well.  It's not a one sided conversation.  There are many times I have had such aw ha moments and think wow, now that was a divine appointment for sure! One minute I am doing one activity, but God directs me to another which was totally a divine appointment.   I love those!  I love this song and how Britt Nicole impacted so many by a drive to another community and even to the gas station! We just never know who God is going to put in our path that will give just a bit of a lift for the day not only to them, but ourselves!
I hope this song blesses you as much as it has blessed me over and over again over the years!
Don't be afraid to make that change today!

Have you Ever asked for a Make Over? Here's a bit of My Story how he made me over! Part 1

Have you ever asked for a make over at your beauty salon?  There are alot of different makeovers in this world from house make overs to beauty makeovers, but have you ever thought of a soul makeover?  Is that something you ever considered before?  I have prayed for years and years for a soul makeover.  He's still working on me and will continue until I go to be with him someday.  However, the Holy Spirit heard my cry in 2009 and granted me that makeover at a christian interpretive dance conference.  As I left my house with a friend at the beginning of the weekend that day and kissed my hubby and children goodbye, little did they know that the wife and mother they once knew would come back a different woman.  The Holy Spirit flipped me inside outside upside down in love with him and had me dancing like I have never danced before. It wasn't just about the dancing, He genuinely gave me a new makeover. I wasn't the same person and was so excited!!  I always danced as a little child on our front lawn and even tried at a young age of around 5 yrs of age  to dance in our Baptist church, but was told "No" That's not what we do in church.  Whatever gifting the Lord had in store for me was opened up 34 yrs later and I have been dancing for him ever since!!  How the enemy used dance in the pubs etc... with alcohol, we need to take back what he stole from us.  You may agree or disagree.  Look it up in the Bible for yourself. I have tons of scriptures to back this up and only will put a few for this story.  Glorifying him by worshiping him through song, musical instruments and dance.

 " Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp". Psalm 149:3

"Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the LORD with all his might" 2 Samuel 6;14

Did you know Dance is "Spiritual Warfare".  It breaks strongholds down not only off of myself when I dance before the Lord, but all who may be present.  I am going to be talking more in detail to help you understand a bit more what interpretive dance and worship dance is and how it plays a very important part in worship in church. Interpretive dance is different than worship dance and the video above is interpretive dance done as a source of evangelism and worship dance is something one can do on Sundays during church with ribbons, banners or just praise and worship.  

 I will explain what colors mean and ribbons and banners in the next couple of sessions.  Meanwhile the video above was one of my first interpretive dances I did in 2009. Ask the Holy Spirit to minister to you through this dance. Listen to the lyrics and ask Him to show you what you need to see to minister to your heart, soul and body. Look past the person dancing!!   Bless you!!

What Does Putting on The Full Armor mean too Me on a Daily Basis?

 This is a lesson that I have been teaching my family over the last 2 wks and I feel in my spirit like never before that we need to use this God given equipment that he has given to us to wear on a daily basis.  I have posters up and around my house and take opportunities especially first thing in the morning to ask my teens, did you put your full armor on?  My youngest son said, mom I don't have a physical armor to put on.  I said, no you don't have one that you can physically see, but you definitely have one that can be spiritually seen.   The most important tool I can say is to say each piece out loud from the top of my head to the tips of my feet each piece that I'm wearing.  I am a very symbolic person and thus fits my life extremely well.  I must admit it has taken me a long time to understand the same concept and thus  I am teaching my family now while they are young how to use this God Given Equipment  and how to use it to their advantage.  Yes we still may get hit regardless if we have it on or not, but we are better condition if we do have it on and we have the greater one fighting for us.  "Greater is He living inside us, than he that is in the world." 1John 4:4

Be sure to watch video below that is encouraging!

 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God^.   And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:10-18
  

 

You were Born for Such a Time as This!

This Video speaks volumes!! This may be in Bible times, but apply it to where you are at today. It's beautiful!!  May you be encouraged today as you watch it from beginning to end!! It's pretty powerful along with the lyrics!! This video is around Esther!  May it speak to you as it has too me!

Soar Like An Eagle!! Soar Above The Storm!!

"But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."  Isaiah 40:31
Most feel like it's hard to soar through the storms & trials, but it does get easier as we continue to trust in the Lord and not on our own understanding. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.
                                          Proverbs 3:6

What Don't Kill You, will make you Stronger!! Haha!!

Not sure about you, but if you have been going through the fire, be sure to know that you will come out pure as Gold!! Doesn't seem like that right now as you are being refined but you watch and see and be patient!!  It will be be worth the refiner's fire!  Talking to myself as well! haha!

 This song below I found a few years ago when I was taking blows and getting knocked down! It so encouraged me and still does as He's not through with me yet and still going through my own personal fire!! But I see the growth and it so encourages me to look back and see where I was and how far I have come through my Jesus!! Not in my strength, but His!!

Gold by Beckae Shae     Music is in the link below if you want to follow the lyrics with the music.   Powerful Lyrics!

What don't kill you can only make you stronger!
I've taken a few blows, but I'm ok though,
You know I just keep going!
I've been straight knocked down, but I get up again,
Cause I ain't no quitter!
So let me take this time to be thankful,
For the way I've been made stronger!

Going through the fire, but coming out gold!
And I'm going higher with my feet still on the floor.

Pushed back, pushed down, pushed away, it's ok,
Cause I just keep movin' forward!
Talking smash all that trash that they say,
It just ain't worth my consideration.
So I'ma take this time to be thankful,
For the way I've been made stronger!

Cause I can take the pain, it's for my good anyway,
Cause I ain't gonna break, love holds me together.
This fire is making me better, refined and it don't matter whether,
I'm lookin' like a loser, cause I'ma show you all a winner!
You can have it all, cause I'm a giver,
But ain't givin' up, I ain't no quitter!
So I think it's better off you know, I'm comin' out gold!

 

The Prayer Warrior is up!! Watch out!!!

I absolutely love this!!!This photo speaks volumes!! Haha!~!!

ARISE OH PRAYER WARRIOR!!

The power of Prayer is absolutely powerful in the mouths of those that choose to pray to the Almighty God and believe for HIS BEST!!  Remember, it's HIS Agenda, NOT OURS!!
This is a beautiful Prayer to pray!! Click on it to bring it up big to view and read.  I always find reading my scriptures out loud demolishes strongholds in my life including prayers such as these.  There are times I do not have the words and a prayer that is powerful such as this does mighty things in the name of Jesus.

This is such a lovely song and truth!!

RISE UP WARRIOR!!! IT'S TIME TO TAKE YOUR STAND!!!

"I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.  Luke 10:19  Rise up Warrior and take your stand and know whom you are in Christ!! You will not fight this battle alone! Oh no you won't!!!

You are an Overcomer!!!

Did you know that you can overcome anything through Christ!!! It may not feel like it at this point, but you are an overcomer and nothing is impossible with the Lord Jesus Christ!!! Just keep pressing in and resting in him.  He will help even when all you can say is "Help Me God".  He is fighting your Battle for you and interceding for you!!!  Haha!!  This video is powerful!! I love it!! May it encourage you today!!

"I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me"  Phil 4:13

"Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."  Romans 8:34




"You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.'" 2 Chronicles 20:17

I May be Thrown Down, but not Defeated!!!

This song says it all!! Wow!! So true and yet so beautiful!!

Wake Up Child it's your Time to Shine!!!

Wake up Oh Sleeper!!! It's your time to Shine!!  You were born for such a time as this!!! This is a powerful Song!! May it inspire you!!  Listen to the whole thing!!  This the anthem of our generation here we are God, shake our nation!!  We are royalty, we have destiny and we are set free and we are going to shake history!! :)  Whoohooo!!!