Stuck in a Season

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Do you ever feel like the season you are in will NEVER end?  

Currently here in NC, the calendar is changing over to October yet the weather outside feels like the dog days of summer.  The leaves aren't changing and it seems like we are stuck with the sweltering heat and humidity while trying to drink our pumpkin spice lattes.  It literally feels like summer will never end. 

Sometimes that is what life feels like too.  Stuck in a never ending season.  You know change is coming; you are longing for it.  Yet every day when you wake up, everything is still the same. 

Even though we are looking at 90+ degree weather this week, the truth is summer will NOT last forever.  We may or may not have fall like weather but eventually the weather will change.

Whatever season you are in that seems like it'll never end.  Stand firm, friend, your season WILL change.



Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 1There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 2a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 6a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. 

Shattered

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A friend shared with me recently a song about being shattered (you can listen to it here).  This song really spoke to my heart and I started thinking about how many days in this current season, I do feel like my life is shattered in pieces on the floor.  Life isn't turning out how I pictured it.  The painting I had painted in my mind is not my reality yet those shattered pieces on the floor aren't a picture of hopelessness - yet a picture of HOPE.  God is going to bring life back to those broken places.  He is going to use them to create a new picture, one far beyond something I could have ever imagined.  Oh, the beauty he is going to create, I just know it.  

I have to give up control, release my "paintbrush", open my hands up and allow God to create the masterpiece He needs.  Although those shattered pieces hurt, if the pain is enough to help someone; it's worth it.  

God is going to use these broken pieces to paint a beautiful picture full of His glory that points back to Him.  

Living and Not Just Existing

Sometimes life can feel like one big storm where the waves just flop you back-and-forth and you feel you can’t even stand because the current is so strong and the waters are so deep.  You just go with the flow being knocked all around, treading water and trying not to drown.  Feeling like you have no control over what’s going on in your life.

Recently, Hurricane Florence came through our town.  She battered our area with wind and more rain than I've ever seen in my entire life.  Walking outside a few days after the storm passed, I noticed these flowers...

You can tell where during the storm the wind blew for hours, trying to knock them over and destroy them.  They were battered and bruised but you know what else I saw that day?  

Life.  

They were LIVING and not just existing...called to bloom and flourish and live the life they were created for.  No, they weren't standing perfectly straight as they were a few days ago but they were still standing.  Even in the midst of the imperfection, they are still beautiful.    

So on those days that I feel bruised and beaten and barely able to keep my head above water, I will remember these flowers. It's a visual reminder that the God I serve, can calm the storms and that I wasn't put here to simply exist but to LIVE a life of abundance (John 10:10)....even if I'm a little tattered and torn - I can still bloom, and you can too!  

Your Worth is More Than a Number on the Scale

This past weekend I went away with my husband to celebrate 15 years of marriage.  We had a nice time enjoying each other and we ate REALLY well while we were away.  By well - I don't mean healthy - I mean ALL the foods we don't normally splurge on while at home.  We shared various yummy meals and made memories.  My heart was full and I came home with no regrets.

But then....

I stepped on the scale.

Immediately when I saw the number staring back at me, I was full of regret.  WHY did I eat that doughnut?  I don't even really like doughnuts.  WHY didn't I do extra cardio or workout harder in the hotel gym?  I seriously wanted to sit in the bathroom floor and cry.  I even sent my husband a text and told him that I was so upset that I allowed myself to eat what I did over the weekend.....it was bad, y'all. 

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

The entire day, I battled feeling like a failure. 

But then...

I was reminded that I am N-O-T defined by a number on a scale.  That my worth is WAY more than my pants size.  And I refuse to let the enemy STEAL my joy from the amazing weekend away with my husband.....who spent the entire day reassuring me that I was beautiful just the way I am, I might add. 


Here's the thing, friends ~ we ARE more than a number on a scale.  We are MORE than the size of our clothes.  We are beautifully created daughters of the KING and while it is important to take care of ourselves, it is more important that we walk in freedom. 

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. " Psalm 139:14

So today, I rejoice in the memories that were made over the weekend and thank God for a husband who loved me at a size 3 and still loves me today 40 pounds heavier.  I will NOT let the enemy steal my joy!

And a side note - the scale has been put away - for my own sanity :) 

My Word for 2017

At the end of every year, instead of making a list of resolutions, I pray and ask God for a word for the upcoming year.  For 2017, He gave me a small word with BIG meaning.....

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I wasn't quite sure what this meant at first.  

"Be what?" I wondered.  

"Be present"  

"Be consistent"

"Be true to who God created me to be"

"Be still"

As I prayed, I realized that just "Be"ing was so much more than another 2 letter word that runs rampant in my mind...."D-O".  It reminds me of the story of Jesus visiting Mary & Martha as told in Luke chapter 10:

³⁸ As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. ³⁹ Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

⁴¹ But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! ⁴² There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”


God could have totally replaced Martha's name with my own in those scriptures because I have always been a "do-er".  I'm a list lover and thrive on checking things off a list, in fact lists are written ALL the time in my mind.  I don't feel like God is telling me to throw my lists out the window (because I truly feel that is how He wired my brain), yet He's encouraging me to embrace each day with an open heart and mind to BE in the moment. 

2017 isn't going to be a year of "Do"ing more yet a time of "Be"ing!  

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  What about you?  Do you have a word, theme or resolution for 2017??  Whatever it is, I pray that God gives you peace, grace and most of all LOVE in the new year! 

 

A Meal Planning Tool That Actually Works

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Over the years I have tried numerous meal planning tools and strategies.  I tend to cook more when I can plan ahead for my meals and shopping lists but it never fails SOMEONE would complain about what we were having for dinner.  Well, that would leave me irritated and at the point of saying I'm never going to cook again. :)  I know I'm not alone here.....right?  We've all threatened it, I know.

I decided there HAD to be a better way so after some brainstorming, I implemented our new meal planning tool:  it is so simple, I didn't even need to draw you a picture.

Each week, one person decides what we will be having for dinner for that particular week.  This means one week out of every month, each person will get to have their favorite foods.  Plus, they have to do the leg work of coming up with the dinner ideas once a month; sometimes I feel like that is the hardest part.

So far, this method has been wonderful for our family!  It gets everyone involved with dinnertime (at least once a week) and takes a load off of my hands.

What about you?  Do you meal plan?  Do you wing it?  What works for you?? 

Detour Ahead

Do you ever feel like you've veered off course?  Like maybe you took the wrong turn at a crossroads or that you were suppose to make a sharp left but kept going straight?  That's how I've been feeling lately. 

I've been reaching out to God to ask him to recalculate my directions - show me where I missed the turn and help me to get back on the right road. 

Distraction.........Discouragement............Division...........Discord

These are the "towns" I've been traveling through on this road and I'm finally seeing that a DETOUR is required.  

It's time to refocus and get back on the right road.  Busy-ness has become a distraction from the basic things God has called me to do. I'm revamping my "to do" list and getting my focus back on what God, Himself, has instructed me to do.  What good is it to work hard on things that weren't even my project to begin with?

How about you, friend?  What road are you traveling down today?  Are you lost?  Wandering?  Seeking something that you just can't seem to find?  Call out to God today - He will direct and lead you to where He needs you to be. 

Maybe it's time for us both to pull over to a rest stop and refuel with more time with our Father!

"Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!"  Hebrews 12:1-3 MSG

When Your World Spins Out of Control

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There I sat; head spinning, tears flowing and heart aching.  Crying out to God that I couldn't take this anymore.  My world was falling out of control, crumbling around me. 

The past 2 years had been so trying and hard.  I had prayed, I had sought God's will, I stood when I had done everything I knew to do and I was constantly "faking it till I made it" but still, nothing was changing and things seemed to progressively be getting worse. 

I will never forget that day.  Tears stinging my eyes as I cried out to Jesus.  Laying on my bed feeling as though the heaviness of the world was sitting on my chest. 

Then, I heard the Lord as clear as anything......"Yes, your world does seem out of control because it is not YOU that controls it.  Surrender to me, dear child, you will see I am the one who will take control.  You rest, it isn't your burden to bare"

It was amazing.  The God of the universe bent down to whisper those words to me.....little ol' me.  I stood up that day, brushed myself off and knew that even though I had been doing what I thought I should, I still wasn't giving up control of the situation.  I was still trying to manipulate it to be the way I thought it should be.  That day, I surrendered.  I gave it all to Jesus. 

I would be lying if I said that circumstances changed that day.  Although I have seen improvement, the main thing that changed was my heart.  Regardless of the outcome, I know that God is on the throne and I am choosing to allow Him full control over this situation.  Peace rests in my heart today because I know that I will be ok. 

I encourage you today, friend, to surrender your heart and life to Jesus.  There is no other peace like the peace that Jesus brings.  No matter what storm you are facing, rest in knowing that HE is in control.

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

Book Review: Beyond the Silence by Tracie Peterson & Kimberley Woodhouse

Boy OH Boy was this a GOOD book!  I received it in the mail on Wednesday afternoon and had it finished by Thursday evening.  It was the "I just cannot put this book down" kind of reads.  I love books like that, don't you?

Beyond the Silence by Tracie Peterson & Kimberley Woodhouse grabbed my attention from the very beginning and kept it until the very last page of the book.  Peterson & Woodhouse make a great team! 

A little about the book from the back cover: 

Lillian Porter has always wanted to fulfill her mother's dream of going west, so when she hears about a nanny position in Angels Camp, California, she defies her grandfather and takes a chance on a new future. But she quickly wonders if she made the right choice. There are rumors in town that her new employer, Woodward Colton, caused the death of his wife. This accusation doesn't match the man Lillian comes to know--and Mrs. Goodman, Woody's long-time housekeeper, is decisively on Woody's side--but many in town stay far away from Lillian because of her association with the Colton family.

Lillian's six-year-old charge, Jimmy, was there when his mother died, and he hasn't spoken a word since. Gently, Lillian tries to coax him out of his shell, hoping he'll one day feel safe enough to tell her the truth about what happened. But the Colton olive farm is no longer a safe place. Lillian encounters suspicious characters on their land and mysterious damage done to the farm. Will Mrs. Goodman and Jimmy be able to speak what they know in time to save Lillian from tragedy?

I highly recommend this book!  It gets a 10 out of 10!!

Disclaimer:  I was given this book free of charge by Bethany House Publishers for my honest review.  I received no compensation for this review and everything stated is my honest, true op

Evening Primrose Oil Changed My Life

**if you are a man, you probably want to stop reading here.... :)  We are talking menstruation so I doubt you'll find it very interesting!!

A little over a month ago, I found myself scrolling through Pinterest waiting on M to finish up at the dentist.  I stumbled upon an article about Evening Primrose Oil and it gave numerous things that it would help cure.  Several of the items on the list grabbed my attention but PMS was flashing at me like a neon sign.

As a teenager, I had HORRIBLE symptoms each month when I started menstruating....so bad that I would have to call home to be picked up from school.  These symptoms increased in severity over the years and horrendous PMS/mood swings were added to them.  I have tried everything imaginable to combat the symptoms from over the counter products, prescription meds and natural remedies.....if it is recommended, then I try it.  I'm one of those people that will try anything....once. 

So, after reading about Evening Primrose Oil, I decided I'd give it a try.  What did I have to lose? 

Here's a list of symptoms I experienced .....consistently EVERY month.....just to give you a general idea of how bad it was 

• Swollen, painful breasts up to 2 weeks before the start of my period - I mean so painful and swollen that I had to "hold them up" when I worked out and wear SUPER tight bras so that they didn't move an inch in my day to day activities.  I regularly used Clary Sage essential oil for the pain, which it would help but I had to apply it multiple times a day for several days in a row to experience any relief from the pain.
• My PMS was ridiculously bad - this was probably the hardest symptom to deal with because it affected me for so many days out of the month.  I had to grit my teeth daily the week or 2 before my period in order to NOT bite someone's head off.  The day or so before my period, I would have to tell my family to not talk to me, look at me or even breath near me - it was BAD and I hated myself and feeling like that but I felt like I was a raging lion and nothing I tried would help calm me down on the inside.     
• Horrible cramps when ovulating
• Lower back pain approximately 2 days before my cycle began
• Acne breakouts
• Barely being able to get out of bed on the first day of my period. When I could, I would spend as much time laying on a heating pad but if I had to get up, movement was kept to a minimum.

Well, my bottle of Evening Primrose Oil came in just as I was starting my period last month so I began to take it daily.  It is recommended that you take 1 pill 3 times a day, but let's me be real ~ I do good to remember to take pills ONCE a day, I'm setting myself up for failure if I try to take something multiple times a day so I took it every day at lunch with my other vitamins.

About a week ago, I knew it was nearing time for my period to start according to the app I have on my phone.  I was shocked because I didn't have ANY breast tenderness, which was odd....that's always my 1st sign that my period is nearing, no acne, and no cramps from ovulating this month  Days passed and I felt a small amount of breast tenderness and only had to use Clary Sage ONCE!!  That alone was amazing! 

Then, I realized that I was not a raging lion!  I had been calm, cool and collected the ENTIRE month ~ no raging hormones, crying spells, gritting of teeth or hiding in my bedroom with a container of ice cream sobbing uncontrollably over a Hallmark movie (the last thing may or may not have happened on one or more occasion.....I will never tell).  I can't tell you how amazing this is or even remember the last time I went a whole month feeling level headed and not on the worst emotional roller coaster of my life. 

My period started unknowingly yesterday, I mean I did not feel a THING!  I was able to get up and function as normal and even WORK OUT last night.  This is totally opposite of the start of ALL the periods I've ever had IN MY LIFE!  NEVER and I do mean NEVER have I had a period that the first day wasn't uncomfortable ~ NEVER....well, not until this month and I am praying that this is my new normal because I definitely do not want to go back to the way it was before.   

I'm so thankful that the Lord directed me to that Pinterest article last month.  I can't tell you how many tears I have cried in the past 20 years over this situation, the pain that I have suffered and the amount of money I have spent trying product after product.  This is heaven sent to me and I wanted to share it with you in hopes that it can help you too.



*Disclaimer ~ I am not a doctor, just simply me sharing my personal experience so all information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. 

God Will Direct Your Path

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My life verse has always been Proverbs 3:5-6 and lately the Lord has been showing me Proverbs 3:6 (I know it follows verse 5 but that is what has been shown to me repeatedly) ‘in ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths’ ~ I feel that I am at a crossroads of sorts in a couple of areas of my life and I know God is telling me just to trust Him, to LIVE for Him and He will take care of the rest.  I am so thankful that God cares about every aspect of my life....and have peace in knowing He cares about YOU too!!

The Blessing's in the Bag: Items Needed

Can I just tell you that I am BLOWN AWAY by what God is doing?  Mikayla and I both thought we were done with the Blessing Bags until winter.....well, it looks like God had a DIFFERENT plan!

We are excited to get to continue on this journey and bless those less fortunate ~ I love seeing all the ways God is using the faith & willingness of a ten year old to touch SO many lives!

So - we have 2 big announcements......

1.  We have set up a Facebook page so that you can keep up-to-date with what's going on... The Blessing's In the Bag

2.  Many people are asking how they can help and what items are needed.  I have provided a list of items that are needed at this time. 

Thanks again to everyone that has helped this cause.  It is amazing at how the love of Jesus is spreading.....one quick story:

M personally handed out her bags to a group of homeless people in Charlotte.....a few weeks later, she sent them a card and cut out a paper heart for each person.  The lady that read the card to the group said that they almost RAN to the front to get one of the paper hearts and asked how to spell her name - each of them wrote her name on the heart and tucked it away ~ that's L-O-V-E in action!!  She is excitedly awaiting the opportunity to go back and visit this group of people.  They have touched HER life in such a mighty way!!

Ok - back to the list.....

Items Needed for "The Blessing's In the Bag"

• Gallon Sized Ziploc Bags
• Reusable Shopping Bags
• Bottled Water
• Travel sized shampoo, conditioner and lotion
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrush
• Combs
• Gum
• Individually Wrapped Candies
• Wipes (small individually wrapped packages)
• Wash cloths
• Soap
• Band aids
• Food items ~ snacks that are individually wrapped [granola bars, packs of tuna, crackers, protein bars, etc]
• Blankets
• Gloves
• Socks 
• Scarves
• Hats (warm)
• Empty Pill Bottles (with labels removed)
• Laundry Detergent (powdered only please)
• Bible tracks and/or verse
• Any small items you think they'd enjoy that will fit in a gallon sized bag

Book Review: Together With You by Victoria Bylin

Together With You by Victoria Bylin was an awesome book on love, faith and forgiveness. 

From the back cover:

When a Lost Child warning blares over the mall's PA system, Carly Mason finds the little girl playing with a stuffed rabbit. Something about Penny Tremaine is different. An ex-social worker, Carly recognizes that the child suffers fetal alcohol effects, and a piece of Carly's past suddenly confronts her. Never again will she become personally involved with a client. The risks are far too great. But something about Penny--and Penny's handsome father--tugs at Carly's heart.

Dr. Ryan Tremaine is trying to put his life back together. With his ex-wife remarried and on a trip far away, his two teenage sons and Penny are living under his roof full time. Ryan has put his faith in his Sink-or-Swim list, a plan to reconnect with his children. The first step: recruit Carly Mason to be Penny's nanny.

Ryan never anticipated being so drawn to Carly, an attraction Carly seems to fight as much as he does. Could Carly be the missing piece that helps his family stay afloat, or will their blossoming romance only complicate things further?

Known for her realistic and engaging characters, Victoria Bylin delivers an emotion-packed story reminiscent of The Sound of Music, one that reminds us all to believe in the power of faith and love.

There were so many thing I loved about this book but the focus on putting family first and finding healing from past mistakes were my favorite.  Isn't that what is important in life ~ family and freedom?  And who doesn't love a good love story?  I highly recommend Together With You by Victoria Bylin.    

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers for my honest review. No other compensation was received and all thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.

A Willing Heart Can Change Lives

M with the 110 bags she stuffed for the homeless

For the past several years, each night, my daughter has prayed for the homeless people - that they would stay warm and have a safe place to sleep.  In the past few months, she has been asking if she can do something to help them.  I had seen the "blessing bag" idea all over Pinterest so I mentioned this to her and she excitedly said that was EXACTLY what she wanted to do.  Together, we made a list of items to include in the bags and I put notice on Facebook of her desire to bless those less fortunate.  She set a goal of 15 bags.

Her 1st donations

The outpouring of blessings she received was overwhelming.  We had so many people donate so many different things that it blew us away.   She reacted as though it was Christmas morning each time she received a package of donations.  She was SO excited to sort through all of the items and pack the bags.

Sorting through the donations

She worked really hard and with the help of some neighborhood friends was able to F-A-R exceed her original goal of 15 bags.  She was able to fill 110 bags!!!

Hard at Work Stuffing Bags

My mama heart was SO proud of her!  She put a lot of hard work into this and never once complained.  She made sure each person got nearly the same items and put much thought and care into stuffing each bag.  She was able to personally give out the bags - which she STILL talks about.  To be able to see people come literally from off the street and give them a bag and then turn around seeing them back on the street digging through to see what goodies they had - made her smile. 

I learned so much through this project ~ the main thing is that when God lays something on your heart ~ Do IT!!  M is 10 - she could have looked at the issue of homelessness and thought it was too big for her to make a difference but God used the willing heart of a 10 year old girl to touch the lives of 1-1-0 people!  What can he do in your life and those around you, if you are willing?

"Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?"

James 2:15-16

God Made You Unique ~ Be the Best You!

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We each have a unique fingerprint pattern and it can be used in the world to tell us apart from another person.  Our fingerprints are made up specific information that is unique to each one of us.  No 2 fingerprints are the same.

Like fingerprints, we are made up of our own unique qualities.  Each person was created with abilities and giftings that are their own and make them who they are.  Every one of us has a purpose –  a job, persay to do for the Lord.  God needs you to be who he created you to be in your home, your work, your church, in whatever it is that he has called you to do.  Again, like a fingerprint, there is no other YOU. 

Even with our own individuality, God uses us together to paint a bigger, beautiful picture.

Let’s read in 1 Corinthians 12 how each part of the body is needed….

 

¹² Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. ¹³ For we were all baptized by^[c] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. ¹⁴ Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
¹⁵ Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸ But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. ¹⁹ If they were all one part, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” ²² On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³ and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, ²⁴ while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, ²⁵ so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. ²⁶ If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

So, just as these scriptures remind us, we are all different yet we all make up one body.  Each person is needed for the body of Christ to be complete. 

This is why it is so important not to compare yourself or be jealous of other people.  God created each one of us with certain ‘ingredients’ that make us who we are…..some of us are great cooks , while others are excellent bakers, some have a gifting to work with children while others work better with the elderly.   ALL of those people are important but none more important than the other.  Our different gifts and abilities should make us love and depend on one another and therefore make us more united as one body in Christ. 

Comparison games are dangerous and bring division. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side so be careful how you compare yourself to others – we should strive to be like Jesus and that is the only comparison we should make. 

There is only one Y-O-U ~ so go out and be the best YOU that you can be!! 

For we are God’s own handiwork, His workmanship, recreated in Christ Jesus, born anew, that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us, taking paths which He prepared ahead of time.  That we should walk in them, living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live.
 

Ephesians 2:10 AMP

Working On Our Spiritual Strength

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It’s that time of the year where many people have made their resolutions and starting out the new year focused on their goals.  It’s a good time to sit and reflect on the days that have past and really dig into what God has in store for you in the days to come.  If you are a resolution/goal or new year’s list maker - you probably have something along the lines of eating better, losing weight or working out on your list.

  

It is important to take care of our physical bodies but we also need to take care of our spiritual bodies as well. There are spiritual "muscles" that we need to workout ......

The 1st muscle is our FAITH.

In Matthew chapter 17 we read about a father who brought his son to be prayed over.  If we pick up the story at verse 16 - read through to verse 20.  (You can read it here)

Jesus said that if you have faith as a mustard seed - you can move mountains.  We all have mountains in our lives.  Loneliness….loss of job….sickness...wounded relationship….trouble at work.  Whatever it is - it can be removed.

Have you ever looked at a mustard seed?  They are tiny - THAT is all the faith required to move a mountain!!

But just like junk food can limit your progress when you are working out, unbelief will limit your faith. If we look back at Matthew 17, in verse 20 - Jesus told his disciples that it was their unbelief that hindered the healing of the boy.  Grab you a mustard seed and put it somewhere as a reminder that it isn’t the quantity of faith that matters - but the quality.  Resist the unbelief and know that with God ALL things are possible.

The 2nd muscle to workout is the muscle of PRAISE

I think that we all know that exercise is good for us, right?  So we can all agree that it is something that we should do.  What about praising the Lord daily?  That’s something we should do as well, right?  Just like we may neglect exercising our physical bodies, do we also neglect singing praises to the Lord?

Psalm 100:4 says “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.  

When we praise the Lord, it makes it less about us and more about God.  Praise builds us up spiritually and keeps us from crumbling, for the JOY of the Lord is our strength.

There are so many scriptures on praising the Lord, that I can't list them all but I encourage you to grab your Bible and read through the Psalms - it is FULL of praises to the King of Kings!!

The next muscle to work out is Prayer

There is always a debate on how often we should work out physically but there is NO debate on how often we should pray.  

Psalm 55:17 says “Evening and morning and at noon, I will pray and cry aloud; and He shall hear my voice”

1 Thessalonians 5:17 says to pray without ceasing.

Making prayer a vital part of our lives gives us strength.  It uplifts and strengthens us as we go on our way.  Prayer is a POWERFUL tool that we all have available.

The last and most important muscle to work out is The Word

Staying in the Word daily builds up our bodies.  We’ve just got to keep reading, studying and memorizing God’s Word to stay fit and strong. 

Psalm 119:11 - Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that i might not sin against thee.

2 Timothy 2:16 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

Just like if you were to walk into the gym for the first time, you couldn’t pick up the heaviest weight and begin to do arm curls.  In order for you to be able to arm curl that heavy weight, you have to start with the 5 lb weight or the 10 lb weight and move up as you build your strength.  

In the same way, you aren’t going to automatically know the whole Bible by heart.  You have to start with what you know and build on that.  Start with a verse…..or two and then keep trying to learn more.

In my own life, I can see where some of these muscles have gotten a little weak, maybe not as strong as they once were.  I know that I need to work on these muscles - EVERY day.  The easiest way to work out is with a group or a friend, so grab a friend and work together this year to hold one another accountable to grow strong in the Lord together.