God loves when we follow the plan he has for us, especially since he knows what’s perfect. He loves when we earnestly seek to do his will. He “delights” in our every step. He is well pleased.
There have been times where I have had to make a BIG decision. I prayed and got impatient, later realizing I had made a mistake. I still thought that it was God’s will. However, later I realized I had made a mistake that caused me to stumble. I did not wait long enough for him to bring clarity. Yet we see, that even when we stumble there is abundant grace and mercy. He is ready and willing to lift us up when we stumble.
Do you remember when you tried to ride a bike for the first time? Your parents let you try without training wheels? If you were like me, you ate the gravel. I mean, I stumbled hard. I was a bloody, bruised, beat up, wanted to give up kind of mess. Just as my earthly Father saw what had happened and helped me up, God will lift you up when you stumble. He is much better than your earthly father. He is your cheerleader. He was delighted you wanted to please him! He lifts you and says, here my child try this.
God sees the desire in your heart to do his will and live out his plan for your life and that pleases him. He is delighted you a pursuing to be obedient. Even if you stumble, he is there to lift you up. He is proud of you! So dust the gravel off and keep riding.
I may have woken up at 4:38ish this morning and am still going. IT’S A MIRACLE! (kidding, but seriously I am not a morning person) I grabbed an iced coffee from the kitchen and headed to our war room because I knew Abba wanted to do a work in me. What is funny is that my husband came home from PT this morning around 7:50ish as I was just finishing up my Quiet Time with God. I walked out and his eye got big and he asked, “How many cups of that *looks down at my 1/4 full now melted iced coffee* have you had this morning?”.
The amazing thing is, that when he left this morning I was groggy and kind of cranky to be honest. No one likes a noisy house before 6am. But when he came home, and I walked out of the war room, I was changed.
This is what we should yearn for every single time we go into our quiet time with Abba. To have our hearts changed and our minds renewed when we walk out. I walked out this morning with authority and excitement because I just spent time with my heavenly father. With this time he brought revelation, wisdom, and understanding. He gave me deeper understanding of him and who I am in him. He spoke clearly through his word.
When we have quiet time with God we should:
Be expectant to hear from him through his word and through prayer
Not put a time limit on God and what he wants to do in our hearts and minds
Our hearts should be changed and our minds renewed
Meditate on what he spoke to us throughout our day
If we don’t understand, ASK.
Just like my husband thought I had 7 iced coffees this morning, you leave Abba’s presence changed.
(Oh and by the way, I only had 3/4 of a cup of iced coffee)
“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”-Matthew 4:4 (NIV) “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”-Psalm 119:9-11 (NIV)
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”-Romans 12:2 (NIV)
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”-Mark 1:35
I have really been thinking about my Grandma Dorsey within these past couple weeks. To the point where I woke up out of a deep sleep. I’ve been up since 3:30am, reminiscing all the wonderful memories we shared together. One thing that has really stuck out to me since she passed in October of 2016 is how my relationship with God has flourished. Back in 2016, I was still struggling with addiction. I didn’t know who I was. I struggled with my purpose of why I was even here. In February of that year, I just left Harbor Oaks, a hospital for suicidal thoughts. I was saved that February and through the many talks with my Grandmother, she continually loved & supported me in my walk, even with not being at a Catholic Church. She struggled with it for a while. Always telling me how I was welcome back and she knew I would come back. Towards the end of her life here on earth, one thing really stuck with me. It was how she grabbed my hand and said, “Now, you stay at that church. It’s okay. Whatever way you focus on what’s important, that’s okay with me.” My Grandma saw that unity in the church was what God was really after. We were all loving on the same God. We were all loving on Jesus. She also knew and saw the change in me before I ever did, Holy Spirit. When I went before a rather large group of people at her showing, something I said really has continually proved itself over the years.
“If I can love her as much as I love her & she can love me as much as she loves me….I can’t even imagine how much God loves us.”
My grandmother showed me the unconditional love of Jesus. She lived every single day like her eternal life depended on it. My grandmother’s love brought me to having a relationship with God.
When she went home, I could no longer depend on her for understanding of biblical principles. I couldn’t depend on her prayers anymore. What really got me was the fact I couldn’t hear her voice and her wise words every day like I used to. But, her work here was complete.
I really believe God used my Grandmother’s passing, to bring me where I am today. She died to save mine. Just as Jesus died to save us. I know that God works everything out for the good for those that are for him. Even in these instances, death.
In the past 2 years God has completely flipped my life upside down. He has changed me from the inside out. My heart is no longer cold or misunderstood. I have the blood of the most high king pumping through my veins.
I am forgiven.
I am loved.
I am healed.
I am precious in the sight of Abba.
I know my purpose .
I am God’s masterpiece.
I am free.
I am a Child Of God.
If you would’ve asked me where I saw myself in 2 years on Valentine’s Day of February 2016. I couldn’t have been able to tell you because my suicidal thoughts haunted me every single moment of every single day. My past taunted me. I used drugs and alcohol to cope. I looked for my value in other people’s opinions and guys who didn’t care about anything other than what I had to offer physically.
Valentines Day, February of 2018 I am in Louisiana, laying next to my wonderful husband that I prayed for since 2014. (Yes, I prayed for years! Totally worth the wait!) While my puppy that I always wanted is laying on the floor. I am currently being discipled to be a Youth Pastor. I am writing a book along with this blog. I have saw miracles of healing and revelation run through my hands and out of my mouth. Holy Spirit has done some work these past 2 years as God called me to be obedient. I will be returning to college and going to Lee University for Ministry Leadership With Emphasis In Counseling. A dream I had before God was at the throne of my heart is now going to be used for his glory.
If my Grandma wouldn’t of went throught what she went through and went to her eternal home when she did, I’m not sure I’d be here today. If I would’ve successfully taken my life when I wanted to, God wouldn’t of had the chance to make me into something beautiful. I feel like some of the greatest people, with the biggest futures, are blindsided by satans lies and take their own life. If my Grandmother wouldn’t of displayed Christ’s love and continually prayed for me, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Would you go into a war without protection or your weapon? No…I wouldn’t either. Then how come it is so easy for us to go to battle without our Spiritual Armor & Weapon? It instructs us in Galatians 6:11 “Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil.” EPHESIANS 6:11 AMP
Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. So stand firm and hold your ground, having tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart), and having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one . And take the helmet of salvation , and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. EPHESIANS 6:13-17 AMP
Not only reading, but applying the word of God to your life is what protects you. I’m not saying that life will be perfect…But when we know the Truth of God’s Word we can recognize the lies of satan.
God’s word is full of promises. Things we need to pray for. Im happy to say God doesn’t break promises either! When we don’t read our word, we lack wisdom and understanding of what is going on in the spiritual realm, how we can put God above everything else, and really love our neighbors. The list goes on, your bible is your instruction manual to life!
I have heard many times that people do not have time to read scripture. I know it can be difficult. Why wouldn’t satan want to stop you from spending time with God? Am I calling your kids, husband, work, ect., satan? Of course not. But when you put God above all else, your life will improve, including those relationships.
When we read our word diligently and pray those promises, they come to life because God watches over his word. The possibilities are endless!“But Jesus looked at them and said, “With people [as far as it depends on them] it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” MATTHEW 19:26 AMP
I don’t know your life…I don’t know what your mornings look like…However, I know that I want to be equipped with my armor in the morning to fight the battles that might transpire for me. I am not a morning person. So, when I first began really diving into the word first thing in the morning it was difficult. I would get distracted, be so tired my eyes wouldn’t stay open, or not wake up in time. I got really frustrated, really fast! I recognized that it was satan wanting to stunt my relationship with Abba. NOT TODAY SATAN. I asked God, “God I’m really having a hard time spending time with you in the morning, will you please limit my distractions? It says in your word that I need my armor, please wake me up refreshed, focused, and ready to retain and put into practice what I read.” Next morning, I woke up early, without an alarm! (Very rare with the shift I used to work!)
God wants to spend time with you! He wants you to be a doer of the word and light of the world. If you’re struggling getting in the word, you’re not alone! I will be putting up more helpful tips and reasons why it is important to read scripture.
I hope you all have a wonderful day! & if we don’t talk before then, a very Merry CHRISTmas!
Recently, I’ve been hearing how “proud” people are of me and how much “I’ve changed”, how “different” I am, how much “healthier”, etc. I thank every single one of you for the kind words, but can I just say, it’s not me. It’s being in the Presence of God that has brought me to where I am today. Studying God’s word, speaking it over my life through prayer, applying it to my life, and praising God through every circumstance is what has gotten me here. Spending time with God has broke me free of baggage of the past, healed me of Bipolar Disorder, broke off the bondage of addiction, and brought me to know pure love. These are just some of the wonderful things. While I appreciate the compliments so much, please give credit where it is due. Don’t take my posts, blogs, and experiences at face value. Experience God for yourself.
Also, if you would like to watch a wonderful sermon today, I placed a link below:
