I had a great time this weekend at WellSpring Women's Event in Arkadelphia, AR. The women were so warm and open to God's Word. Thanks to everyone who worked hard to make the event a huge success!!
I want to share with you the key points from the two sessions I led.
The first session was on simplifying our life. Wow! We need to hear what God's Word has to say on this important topic. The key verse for this session was Psalm 25:15, "My eyes are ever on the Lord for only He will release my feet from the snare." Scripture taught that a life that pleases God focuses on the Him. We learned the difference between a glance and a gaze. When we gaze, we are released from the traps in our life.
The second session was Free to Thrive! We saw in God's Word that we do not have to live a life that merely survives. We are called and equipped to Thrive! To thrive means to progress towards a certain goal. As believers in Jesus Christ, our goal in life must be conformity to Jesus. God’s Word plays a key role in this process. Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 If we are going to Thrive, we must ask ourselves--- “What am I holding on to?” And, “Is it setting me free?”
If you attended WellSpring, I want to encourage you to post your "take home" lessons. What did you learn this weekend and how are you going to incorporate these truths into your daily life? Remember, the truths God speaks into our lives must be more than head level knowledge. We must surrender to His teachings and ask Him to write them on our hearts.
I love you and I am praying for you! May your walk with Christ be filled with love as you walk in step with Him! I hope to see you again soon.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
When it is one of those days....
Today is one of those days when I want to crawl back in bed, pull the covers over my head, and come out when the sun is shinning and the snow is gone! Do I hear an "amen" out there?
To make things worse, I did not sleep very much last night. My throat started hurting yesterday around 7:00p.m. and my head just kept pounding and pounding. I was totally surprised by this cold because last week I struggled with the flu. Surely, I will not be sick two weeks in a row!
This morning as I thought about my options, crawling back in bed or facing my day, I picked up my Bible and read John 1:1-5. As I read, I was faced with Truth. This passage states, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. (this is the best part--- are you ready?) That light shines in the darkness yet the darkness did not overcome it."
This morning, as I read verse five, I just stopped and thought about the fact that light can not be overcome by darkness. No. Light always wins. Think about it--- you can be in the middle of a vast room that is totally dark. Yet, if a tiny little shines, your eyes immediately look to the light. If you are not sure about this tendency, go to your closet and give it a try. I believe that you will find your eyes drawn to the light.
To be honest, this concept of light shining forth in the darkness is getting me through my day. Darkness may be all around me--- it may even be represented in the way I feel. However, God's light, which not only lives in me but shines through me, overcomes the darkness.
Today, I challenge you to know that God's light, who is Jesus Christ, lives in you and through you. Even if the circumstances of your life seem challenging, look to the light of Christ. As you do, the light of Christ will overcome the darkness in your world. The reason why--- light shines in the darkness and the darkness can not overcome the light.
Well, I better go. It is time to face my day living in the light of Christ. How about you? Are you ready to live in the Light?
Love You!
To make things worse, I did not sleep very much last night. My throat started hurting yesterday around 7:00p.m. and my head just kept pounding and pounding. I was totally surprised by this cold because last week I struggled with the flu. Surely, I will not be sick two weeks in a row!
This morning as I thought about my options, crawling back in bed or facing my day, I picked up my Bible and read John 1:1-5. As I read, I was faced with Truth. This passage states, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. (this is the best part--- are you ready?) That light shines in the darkness yet the darkness did not overcome it."
This morning, as I read verse five, I just stopped and thought about the fact that light can not be overcome by darkness. No. Light always wins. Think about it--- you can be in the middle of a vast room that is totally dark. Yet, if a tiny little shines, your eyes immediately look to the light. If you are not sure about this tendency, go to your closet and give it a try. I believe that you will find your eyes drawn to the light.
To be honest, this concept of light shining forth in the darkness is getting me through my day. Darkness may be all around me--- it may even be represented in the way I feel. However, God's light, which not only lives in me but shines through me, overcomes the darkness.
Today, I challenge you to know that God's light, who is Jesus Christ, lives in you and through you. Even if the circumstances of your life seem challenging, look to the light of Christ. As you do, the light of Christ will overcome the darkness in your world. The reason why--- light shines in the darkness and the darkness can not overcome the light.
Well, I better go. It is time to face my day living in the light of Christ. How about you? Are you ready to live in the Light?
Love You!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
2010--- In full Swing
Well, it has been too long since I updated the blog. This month I plan to fix that problem. So here we go---
January has come and gone. It was a month of getting back in the swing of normal. I worked hard on last minute editing for Reflecting His Glory. We are getting close to publication!! Stay tuned on that subject.
Last weekend I led a retreat in Monticello, AR. There were over 100 ladies in attendance. God poured out His Spirit as we learned how to have a New Year with a New You! The ladies were sweet and had open hearts to God's Word. Many of the ladies stayed after the retreat to share how God had spoken a clear word to them during our teaching sessions. Thank you Lord!
I want to share with you Friday night's focal verse--- "My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only He will release my feet from the snare." Psalm 25:15. This verse challenges us to place our focus on the Lord. As we do, we can know that He will deliver us from all the traps in our lives. On Friday night, I shared that one of the traps that many women face is the desire to be a better you. This trap keeps many women bound up thinking that they need to pull themselves together and just be a better person.
Friend, if I just described you, surrender to the fact that you cannot make yourself a better person. Any attempt to make yourself better will only cause you to further dig yourself into a trap. So what can you do? The answer to this question is found in Psalm 25:15--- place your eyes on the Lord. As you focus on Him, you will become more like Him. The end result--- it will be a new year and you will be a new you.
Blessings!
January has come and gone. It was a month of getting back in the swing of normal. I worked hard on last minute editing for Reflecting His Glory. We are getting close to publication!! Stay tuned on that subject.
Last weekend I led a retreat in Monticello, AR. There were over 100 ladies in attendance. God poured out His Spirit as we learned how to have a New Year with a New You! The ladies were sweet and had open hearts to God's Word. Many of the ladies stayed after the retreat to share how God had spoken a clear word to them during our teaching sessions. Thank you Lord!
I want to share with you Friday night's focal verse--- "My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only He will release my feet from the snare." Psalm 25:15. This verse challenges us to place our focus on the Lord. As we do, we can know that He will deliver us from all the traps in our lives. On Friday night, I shared that one of the traps that many women face is the desire to be a better you. This trap keeps many women bound up thinking that they need to pull themselves together and just be a better person.
Friend, if I just described you, surrender to the fact that you cannot make yourself a better person. Any attempt to make yourself better will only cause you to further dig yourself into a trap. So what can you do? The answer to this question is found in Psalm 25:15--- place your eyes on the Lord. As you focus on Him, you will become more like Him. The end result--- it will be a new year and you will be a new you.
Blessings!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Free To Thrive! Day 13 (finally)--- A Limit Free Life
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
2 Corinthians 3:17
I love boxes, cubbies, containers, and organizers. Basically, anything that has a compartment. The reason is simple. Compartments make me feel like I am in control. Thinking, “this goes here or that goes there.” Unfortunately, things are not the only area I have tried to contain. God has also fit into this category during my life. This occurred anytime I said, “Lord, you can go here but you are not invited to go there.” Naturally, God did not subscribe to my way of thinking and graciously took the necessary steps in order to straighten me out.
A limit free life recognizes the truth that freedom occurs when all barriers and compartments in your relationship with Christ are removed. Paul states it this way in 2 Corinthians 3:17, “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” This truth represents an amazing paradox found in scripture. Freedom is not controlling your own life. Rather, freedom occurs when you are controlled by Christ. The world we live in as well as our sinful flesh often baulks at this definition of freedom. However, scripture makes it clear--- freedom is found in living a compartment free, Christ controlled life!
Each day you need to subscribe to Christ’s definition of freedom. When you wake up in the morning recognize that God is God and you are not. Start your day by establishing His authority over your life. Then invite Jesus into every area of your life. This daily routine provides a tangible way to live a limit free life in Jesus Christ.
Question---
What area(s) in your life do you keep off limits from God?
2 Corinthians 3:17
I love boxes, cubbies, containers, and organizers. Basically, anything that has a compartment. The reason is simple. Compartments make me feel like I am in control. Thinking, “this goes here or that goes there.” Unfortunately, things are not the only area I have tried to contain. God has also fit into this category during my life. This occurred anytime I said, “Lord, you can go here but you are not invited to go there.” Naturally, God did not subscribe to my way of thinking and graciously took the necessary steps in order to straighten me out.
A limit free life recognizes the truth that freedom occurs when all barriers and compartments in your relationship with Christ are removed. Paul states it this way in 2 Corinthians 3:17, “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” This truth represents an amazing paradox found in scripture. Freedom is not controlling your own life. Rather, freedom occurs when you are controlled by Christ. The world we live in as well as our sinful flesh often baulks at this definition of freedom. However, scripture makes it clear--- freedom is found in living a compartment free, Christ controlled life!
Each day you need to subscribe to Christ’s definition of freedom. When you wake up in the morning recognize that God is God and you are not. Start your day by establishing His authority over your life. Then invite Jesus into every area of your life. This daily routine provides a tangible way to live a limit free life in Jesus Christ.
Question---
What area(s) in your life do you keep off limits from God?
Friday, October 16, 2009
Free To Thrive! Day 12--- A Deadly Weapon
“Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.” Psalm 142:7
God’s Word can and should be used as a deadly weapon in your life. The Apostle Paul described the Bible as the Sword of the Spirit in Ephesians 6:17. In order to be free, you must fight the sin in your life using God’s Word.
Sin results in spiritual prisons. Spiritual prisons come in many different forms. Often spiritual prisons fall in to one of the following categories:
•An unknown fear.
•A vicious sin cycle.
•A nagging past.
Prisons like these keep women lying awake at night wondering, “What will happen next?” “Will I ever be free?” “Can God use someone like me?”
The thing I hate most about spiritual prisons is that they keep me bound up and focused on myself. Have you ever noticed that before? Spiritual prisons cause you to spend more time thinking about yourself and what you need rather than the Lord and His desires for your life.
David recognized this tendency as he penned Psalm 142:7. Note the reason David wanted to be free from his spiritual prison--- “that I may praise your name.” David knew his prison was keeping him for fully praising the Name of the Lord. Therefore, David wanted freedom so that nothing would stand in the way of his ability to worship. What a great perspective to have in life!
If you and I gain the same perspective as David, we too will begin to hate our prisons. As a result, we will begin to fight for freedom. The reason why is clear. Our spiritual prisons keep us from fully and completely praising the Lord. I don’t know about you, but that makes me want to get up and fight! Once freedom came in David’s life, he knew he would have the opportunity and responsibility to testify about the goodness of His God.
Today, do you need to fight some spiritual prisons in your life? If so, begin by getting a vision of freedom. Imagine your life free from the chains that currently bind. Next, fight with all your might. Use the Word of God, which is your sword and fight, fight, fight. Find passages of scripture that speak to the prison you currently face. Once you find a passage, begin to memorize the passage. Speak it all day long. Write the passage on a notecard and carry the passage with you. Tape the passage to your mirror, refrigerator door, or the rearview mirror in your car. Whatever you do fight well armed with God’s holy Word. Know that freedom will come as you apply God’s Word to every area of your life.
Challenge---
On a piece of paper, list your spiritual prison(s)--- areas of fear, vicious sin cycles, or issues from the past.
Find a passage of scripture that speaks to each prison and begin the fight!
God’s Word can and should be used as a deadly weapon in your life. The Apostle Paul described the Bible as the Sword of the Spirit in Ephesians 6:17. In order to be free, you must fight the sin in your life using God’s Word.
Sin results in spiritual prisons. Spiritual prisons come in many different forms. Often spiritual prisons fall in to one of the following categories:
•An unknown fear.
•A vicious sin cycle.
•A nagging past.
Prisons like these keep women lying awake at night wondering, “What will happen next?” “Will I ever be free?” “Can God use someone like me?”
The thing I hate most about spiritual prisons is that they keep me bound up and focused on myself. Have you ever noticed that before? Spiritual prisons cause you to spend more time thinking about yourself and what you need rather than the Lord and His desires for your life.
David recognized this tendency as he penned Psalm 142:7. Note the reason David wanted to be free from his spiritual prison--- “that I may praise your name.” David knew his prison was keeping him for fully praising the Name of the Lord. Therefore, David wanted freedom so that nothing would stand in the way of his ability to worship. What a great perspective to have in life!
If you and I gain the same perspective as David, we too will begin to hate our prisons. As a result, we will begin to fight for freedom. The reason why is clear. Our spiritual prisons keep us from fully and completely praising the Lord. I don’t know about you, but that makes me want to get up and fight! Once freedom came in David’s life, he knew he would have the opportunity and responsibility to testify about the goodness of His God.
Today, do you need to fight some spiritual prisons in your life? If so, begin by getting a vision of freedom. Imagine your life free from the chains that currently bind. Next, fight with all your might. Use the Word of God, which is your sword and fight, fight, fight. Find passages of scripture that speak to the prison you currently face. Once you find a passage, begin to memorize the passage. Speak it all day long. Write the passage on a notecard and carry the passage with you. Tape the passage to your mirror, refrigerator door, or the rearview mirror in your car. Whatever you do fight well armed with God’s holy Word. Know that freedom will come as you apply God’s Word to every area of your life.
Challenge---
On a piece of paper, list your spiritual prison(s)--- areas of fear, vicious sin cycles, or issues from the past.
Find a passage of scripture that speaks to each prison and begin the fight!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Free To Thrive! Day 11--- A Love For God's Word
“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32
We all know what it is like to want freedom. We long for freedom. We ask for freedom. Yet, we often fail to do the one thing that leads to freedom! Jesus said freedom comes as you hold to “My teachings.”
I love the simplicity of this verse. Jesus does not give ten steps to freedom. He gives one. We can summarize this step in the following way. “If you want freedom--- follow my instruction Book!” Following Jesus’ instruction Book involves two steps--- knowing the Book and obeying the Book. In light of this, two questions must be asked.
1. Do you know the Book?
Knowing the teachings in God’s holy Book becomes the first step to freedom. The teachings recorded in God’s Book provide freedom because they express the heart of God on big and small issues of life. Knowing the Book occurs as you daily interact with the Book. Your daily interaction must be personal. You must know the Book so well that even when the Book is not in front of you, the truths of the Book ring in your heart. How much of God’s Holy Word do you have access to in your heart? God has given His Book to be a source of light in a very dark world. Believers must take the light and allow it to shine bright in their lives. This occurs as you read God’s Word and allow it to change the way you live. The outcome of this process will be truth taking the place of lies resulting in freedom!
2. Do you hold to the teachings in the Book?
Knowing the Book is the first step to freedom. The second step is holding to the teachings found in the Book. Jesus said, “If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples.” Think about this. Holding on to an object requires two steps. The first step involves making the choice to grab the object. The second step involves displaying an active determination not to let go of the object. Holding on to Jesus’ teachings occurs in the same way. First, you must daily make the choice to grab His Holy thoughts regarding your life. Second, you must display an active determination to hold onto His thoughts by allowing them to change the way you live on a very practical level. This means, the teachings found in His Book impact the way you interact with your husband, children, coworkers, and friends. As you hold on to Jesus’ teachings, freedom flows into your life and through your life as you learn to live by His holy Book.
Freedom can and will come in your life as you seek God’s direction in His Holy Word and surrender to it no matter the cost. Today, I challenge you to grab onto Jesus’ teachings and hold on for dear life!
Questions---
Think of area(s) in your life where you need to grab on to Jesus’ teachings and hold on for life.
Are you willing to allow God’s Word to set you free by changing the way you think and live in the area(s) listed above?
We all know what it is like to want freedom. We long for freedom. We ask for freedom. Yet, we often fail to do the one thing that leads to freedom! Jesus said freedom comes as you hold to “My teachings.”
I love the simplicity of this verse. Jesus does not give ten steps to freedom. He gives one. We can summarize this step in the following way. “If you want freedom--- follow my instruction Book!” Following Jesus’ instruction Book involves two steps--- knowing the Book and obeying the Book. In light of this, two questions must be asked.
1. Do you know the Book?
Knowing the teachings in God’s holy Book becomes the first step to freedom. The teachings recorded in God’s Book provide freedom because they express the heart of God on big and small issues of life. Knowing the Book occurs as you daily interact with the Book. Your daily interaction must be personal. You must know the Book so well that even when the Book is not in front of you, the truths of the Book ring in your heart. How much of God’s Holy Word do you have access to in your heart? God has given His Book to be a source of light in a very dark world. Believers must take the light and allow it to shine bright in their lives. This occurs as you read God’s Word and allow it to change the way you live. The outcome of this process will be truth taking the place of lies resulting in freedom!
2. Do you hold to the teachings in the Book?
Knowing the Book is the first step to freedom. The second step is holding to the teachings found in the Book. Jesus said, “If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples.” Think about this. Holding on to an object requires two steps. The first step involves making the choice to grab the object. The second step involves displaying an active determination not to let go of the object. Holding on to Jesus’ teachings occurs in the same way. First, you must daily make the choice to grab His Holy thoughts regarding your life. Second, you must display an active determination to hold onto His thoughts by allowing them to change the way you live on a very practical level. This means, the teachings found in His Book impact the way you interact with your husband, children, coworkers, and friends. As you hold on to Jesus’ teachings, freedom flows into your life and through your life as you learn to live by His holy Book.
Freedom can and will come in your life as you seek God’s direction in His Holy Word and surrender to it no matter the cost. Today, I challenge you to grab onto Jesus’ teachings and hold on for dear life!
Questions---
Think of area(s) in your life where you need to grab on to Jesus’ teachings and hold on for life.
Are you willing to allow God’s Word to set you free by changing the way you think and live in the area(s) listed above?
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Free To Thrive! Day 10--- A Tamed Tongue
“Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3
How often do your lips get you in trouble? Have you ever walked away from a conversation and asked yourself, “Why did I say that?” I will confess. I have! Anytime I find my lips getting me in trouble, I breathe a quick prayer asking the Lord to guard my mouth and watch over my lips.
Words are powerful--- not because they hold power in and of themselves but because they reveal the state of your heart. Jesus said, “The things that come out of the mouth come from the heart.” (Matthew 5:18) This truth makes words very powerful.
The mouth provides an abundance of opportunity to sin. Critical words, harsh words, gossip, exaggeration, foul words, and words meant to put someone in their place are just a few examples. These words are not in line with God’s desires for your life and often become a form of self-preservation.
Each day you need to evaluate your words. Examining the way you talk to your husband, children, friends, coworkers, and self. Any time you sin with your mouth stop and confess the sin to God. Once you have confessed the sin, go to the person you sinned against and ask for their forgiveness. I can tell you; this more than any other practice, will cut down on harmful words flowing from your mouth.
Not long ago, I was on the phone with a friend. I was telling a story and exaggerated some of the details. After I hung up, I sensed the Lord’s conviction. I knew I had to pick up the phone and call my friend. My friend was gracious as I apologized for exaggerating the details of the story. Trust me. If you make very many of these phone calls you will think twice before you allow your mouth to sin.
Freedom comes when you speak God’s words not your own. This requires discipline and a sensitive spirit. The discipline becomes knowing when you are going into a potentially dangerous conversation and bathing that conversation in prayer. As you pray, ask the Lord to stop you when you begin to journey down a dangerous path. Then, when you are in the midst of the conversation, display a sensitive spirit and listen to the Holy Spirit. Stop the conversation when He says stop.
Imagine this--- no longer walking away from a conversation saying, “Why did I say that?” Now that’s freedom!
Questions---
Do you need to confess to a person in your life and tell them you sinned against them with your words?
If so, are you willing to take this step of obedience?
How often do your lips get you in trouble? Have you ever walked away from a conversation and asked yourself, “Why did I say that?” I will confess. I have! Anytime I find my lips getting me in trouble, I breathe a quick prayer asking the Lord to guard my mouth and watch over my lips.
Words are powerful--- not because they hold power in and of themselves but because they reveal the state of your heart. Jesus said, “The things that come out of the mouth come from the heart.” (Matthew 5:18) This truth makes words very powerful.
The mouth provides an abundance of opportunity to sin. Critical words, harsh words, gossip, exaggeration, foul words, and words meant to put someone in their place are just a few examples. These words are not in line with God’s desires for your life and often become a form of self-preservation.
Each day you need to evaluate your words. Examining the way you talk to your husband, children, friends, coworkers, and self. Any time you sin with your mouth stop and confess the sin to God. Once you have confessed the sin, go to the person you sinned against and ask for their forgiveness. I can tell you; this more than any other practice, will cut down on harmful words flowing from your mouth.
Not long ago, I was on the phone with a friend. I was telling a story and exaggerated some of the details. After I hung up, I sensed the Lord’s conviction. I knew I had to pick up the phone and call my friend. My friend was gracious as I apologized for exaggerating the details of the story. Trust me. If you make very many of these phone calls you will think twice before you allow your mouth to sin.
Freedom comes when you speak God’s words not your own. This requires discipline and a sensitive spirit. The discipline becomes knowing when you are going into a potentially dangerous conversation and bathing that conversation in prayer. As you pray, ask the Lord to stop you when you begin to journey down a dangerous path. Then, when you are in the midst of the conversation, display a sensitive spirit and listen to the Holy Spirit. Stop the conversation when He says stop.
Imagine this--- no longer walking away from a conversation saying, “Why did I say that?” Now that’s freedom!
Questions---
Do you need to confess to a person in your life and tell them you sinned against them with your words?
If so, are you willing to take this step of obedience?
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