Friday, May 31, 2013

Trusting God...

What would your day look like...if you trusted God with everything? (Pr 3:5-6) 5/25/13CIFL

When situations intimidate you...

Is there a situation that's intimidating you? When I am afraid...I will put my trust in You! (Ps 56:3) 5/25/13CIFL-LMM

Trapped...with no way out!

Do you feel trapped with no way out? God will lead you out...His Word is a lamp to your feet and a light to your path! (Ps 119:105) 5/25/13CIFL-LMM

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Being confident...

Being Confident-many teach and write about this topic; most desire to have it...but there's only one way to get it and that's from Christ. The world makes many promises, but only Christ can give you the unshakeable, unstoppable and uncompromising confidence that's delivered directly from Him. Christ will pour His power through you to accomplish His purpose like He did in Abraham, Deborah, David, Rahab and many others who gave their hearts to Him. They believed God at His Word and followed Him- they were available. Don't complicate and delay being used by God because you want to debate whether you trust Him with your situation, if your past is too much for Him to handle, or if you're qualified for what He's called you to do. Read scripture-look at the people God used: Moses killed a guy, had to overcome major self esteem issues, nor did he have specific training to teach people how to cross the Red Sea; David didn't go to giant killing school and had sinned majorly, but God called him a man after His own heart; Peter's fishing trade didn't qualify him to preach...but his love for Jesus did, even though he denied Jesus 3 times. The common denominator these people had; they loved Jesus Christ and allowed Him to use them for His glory-His confidence to be manifested through them. You have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers you, He infuses His strength into you; making you sufficient in His sufficiency! Seek Him, desire Him- His ability through you. Draw close to Him-He will draw close to you. Know He will never leave you or let loose of your hand, He goes before you making a way when you can't see, He loves you and delights in you, He's your strong tower and fortress, hide under His wing, run to Him and tell Him your deepest hurts and deepest desires, He loves you when you mess up as much as He loves you when you obey, He's your Father who made you with His very own hands, He has good plans for you, He's for you and not against you, His love overflows in you, He's ordered every step, you're His child and He's your Father, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ-Holy, Holy, Holy. Your confidence is from Him-it's unshakeable. Is there anything too hard for the Lord? Rest in Him-His confidence in you. Will you accept the unshakeable confidence He offers you every day so you can make a difference in the Kingdom as He planned for you? (Phil 4:13, Rom 8:31, Gen 18:14) 5/30/13CIFL-LMM

Need to make an important decision...?

Need to make an important decision today? Trust in the Lord with all your heart...lean not on your own understanding and He will make your path straight. (Pr 3:4-5) 5/30/13CIFL-LMM

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Let Jesus heal the parts of your heart that were hurt...

Time passes-hurts don't. A hurt doesn't go away...until it's given away-only the hands of Jesus can take hurts, no one else can. A person remains chained to their past until the hurt is resolved. Life is seen and heard through past pain, obscuring the view of the present and robbing the good plans of the future. Unresolved hurt perpetuates- stealing, killing and destroying the peace Jesus promises. Don't throw away the life Jesus died to give you...release your hurt to Him. There's a way that seems right to a man, but in the end, leads to death. Only Jesus can heal you-you can't, another person can't, no job can, having the best home, car, or corner office, no amount of money-nothing, nothing, nothing...but the love of Jesus can heal you. Let Him heal the parts of your heart that were hurt-binding up your wounds. Don't give one more day to your past pain...live in the freedom Jesus gives you today-look forward to the good future God promises you. Will you release your hurt to Jesus, so you can live the abundant life He offers you? (John 10:10, Pr 14:12, Ps 147:3, 2 Cor 3:17, Jer 29:11) 5/28/13CIFL-LMM

Be still and know He is God...

Don't deny reality...but don't deny God's truth either. God's truth trumps the reality you're going through... unemployment, illnesses, delayed dreams, failed relationships, grief, insufficient college funds, anger, foreclosures, special needs child, addictions, past mistakes, family secrets, loss, overdrawn bank accounts, broken hearts, rebellious children, false accusations, rejection from a friend, etc. God's truth says...He will will never leave you, to not be afraid,  He holds everything together, He has good plans for  you, He's for you & not against you, you're more than a conqueror, He supplies all your needs-but you must completely trust Him even when you don't see a way; have faith in God constantly. You don't have to figure things out...God's already done that. Your part is to believe God has figured everything out; to trust He's covered you and not doubt Him-Jesus will help you. He says, "if you remain in Me and My Words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you." When God's Word is in you...you will desire what He wants for you and be confident it will be good for you-because you trust Him. Hold tight to His trust-don't allow doubt to rob you of trusting God and His truth. Believe God's promises-know Jesus is with you and hear the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Keep the Word on your lips, in front of your eyes, speak it and listen to it. The reality you're facing doesn't determine your destiny-God does; His truth trumps what you're facing. Whatever you do-don't lose hope or doubt Him...Be still and know He is God! (Mark 11:22, Isa 30:21, John 15:7. Ps 46:10) 5/28/13CIFL-LMM

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Trials...are they exhausting you?

Is your mind exhausted...are you playing out different scenarios trying to figure out "why" you are going through different trials right now? Instead, keep your mind on "Who" is with you. Jesus told us to expect trials and to not lose heart because He's overcome this world...that includes every trial we face-not a one is overlooked. Lean into Jesus-rest in Him. Let Him lead you-your mind will explode if you continue to play out the scenarios. Trials will confront us until the day we go to Heaven, but Jesus gives us His perfect peace, confidence and courage. Following Jesus doesn't exempt us from trials but it does guarantee He's always with us and will never leave us. Our certainty is in Him so...don't let the "why" take your eyes off of the "Who" is in the trial with you! (John 16:33, Ps 34:19, Heb 13:5) 5/26/13CIFL-LMM 

Friday, May 24, 2013

Desperation causes you to lose perspective...God's love gives freedom!

When you're desperate to make things work...you lose perspective-because desperation is anchored in fear.   Fear is from the enemy; creating distortions-thoughts that oppose God's truth. God is love-He is truth and His truth sets you free. Where the Spirit of the Lord is...there is freedom-His love approves you and you're complete in Him. You can trust God to be in charge of the world He created; you don't have to be desperate to make things work because He's over all you see and don't see-He holds the world together. Cast down every distortion and thought of condemnation that fear imposes in your mind- immediately replace it with God's Word. God is love- He doesn't beat you down...He builds you up with His confidence. He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn and the justice of your cause like the noonday sun! Accept God's love-agree with His truth and live in freedom!
 (1 John 4:18, Col 2:10, 2 Cor 3:17, Col 1:17, 2 Cor 10:5, Ps 37:6) 5/24/13CIFL-LMM

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Jesus will take the harm done to you...

Forgiving is a decision you make to no longer carry the harm done to you in your heart. Jesus takes the harm and puts His love in its place. Then He removes the chains that have kept you bound to the past and the people who imposed hurt on you. May you accept the peace Jesus offers you as you trust Him to take your hurt and live the freedom He offers you every day! (Mark 11:25, John 14:27, Matt 11:28) 5/21/13CIFL-LMM 

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Jesus heals...

Jesus...heals the hurting, binds up the wounds of the brokenhearted and gives hope to the hopeless. He shows up when others don't, holds you when others won't and reveals what others can't...He has no barriers-He's unstoppable! He's overcome this world and all the uncertainties we see; our peace is in Him- we don't have to be afraid. He's the name above all names...Jesus! (Isa 61:1, John 16:33,  Phil 2:9) 5/21/13CIFL-LMM

Will you let God's love heal and comfort you?

Following God doesn't exempt you from pain...but it does promise God will be with you during the pain- providing comfort and direction. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. Will you let God's love heal and comfort you? (Ps 34:18, Ps. 34: 4-5)
5/21/13CIFL-LMM

Monday, May 20, 2013

When grief comes in like a flood...

When grief comes in like a flood...seek God for comfort to hold your mind and heart together. Keep your faith in Him and His hope will anchor you-nothing else can. When despair drenches your mind & darkens your path-His Word is a lamp to your feet and a light to your path showing you a way to go. He sees what you can't see, He knows what you don't know and He can do what you can't do. Don't lean on your own understanding-your mind will burst. Holy, Holy, Holy-Lord God Almighty...let His love comfort you like nothing in this world can. (Heb 6:19, Ps 119:105, Pr 3:5) 5/20/13CIFL-LMM

Do you pray to thrive...or just survive?

Do you pray to thrive...or just survive? The enemy's purpose is to steal, kill and destroy; Jesus came so we could live an abundant life and thrive-not just survive. Do you pray with confidence-based on God promises in His Word? Do you pray with less boldness when facing impossible situations by decreasing your expectations? Do you approach God with the same confidence during hard times as you do during good times-always thanking and praising Him? Don't fall in the trap of wondering where Jesus is when the situation you're facing is getting worse-He's with you...remember, He lives in you. Jesus has overcome-pray with a fervent boldness...thanking and praising God for His provisions. The enemy wants you to believe God's washed His hands of you, you didn't follow His directives correctly, or you missed Him because you messed up-the enemy will tell you anything to get you to believe the burden's on you, but it's not. The burden to prove everything is on God and He's already proven-He's before all things and holds it all together in His hands! Your burden is to...believe Him. When you believe God-you can pray boldly. It won't matter how impossible the situation is that you're facing-you will know with confidence that He's got the impossible you're facing in the palm of His hand. Continue to thank and praise Him for taking care of things. Don't entertain any lies of the enemy-turn away when he whispers to you that you're running out of chances-you don't rely on chance...you rely on God's promises! Thanks be to God, Who gives us victory by making us conquerors through our Lord Jesus Christ-have faith in Him constantly! Pray to thrive...not just survive! (John 10:10, Ps 100:4, 1 Cor 15:57, Mark 11:22) 5/26/13CIFL-LMM

God will lift your burdens...will you let Him?

God will lift your burdens...knowing His love allows you to not be afraid or discouraged-you can take your position, stand firm and face the impossibles you're up against. You can be confident God will be with you and fight for you because He says so in His Word and He can't lie. Your part is to decide if you believe what He says. If you do, God will deliver you from what's opposing you and you can know with confidence that delay doesn't mean denial, believing doesn't depend on seeing and...your little is a lot in God's hands! Believing God lifts the burden from you to overcome the impossibles you're facing...choosing not to believe God puts the burden back on you. God will lift your burdens...will you let Him? ( 2 Chron 20:17, Heb 6:18, Ps 55:22, Ps 68:19) 5/20/12CIFL-LMM

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Don't forfeit your future...

Don't forfeit your future...for fear of leaving your familiar-take a risk and trust; your life will be dramatically changed. Blessed is the man who believes without seeing. (2 Cor 5:7, John 20:29).  12/2/12CIFL-LMM

Press toward the goal...

Opposition, discouragement and doubt will come at you daily wanting you to justify the cause God put in your heart. Don't engage-it's a ploy to create confusion and distract you from hearing the Holy Spirit's direction. Continue to press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call! (1 Pet 5:8, Isa 30:21) 5/20/13CIFL-LMM

The Key to Overcoming...

The key to overcoming...staying in the moment to access the power of Christ that's in you-right now. For the moment you're in...is the moment that you have discipline in. This is your foundation-one moment, one breath, one step, then do it again. 5/19/13CIFL-LMM(Phil 4:13)

Friday, May 17, 2013

Don't settle for a life feeling wrong about you...

Wrong things happened to you...but you are not wrong. Don't settle for a life of feeling wrong about who you are. You are complete in Christ's love-but you must receive the completeness He offers. Jesus came so that we could have life and have it to the full...the enemy wants to steal, kill and destroy the fullness Jesus offers us in His love every day. Don't put unrealistic expectations on those you love by wanting them to make up for the wrong done to you-they can't no matter how hard they try. There's no wrong that Jesus' love can't swallow up...let Him have the wrongs done to you so you can walk in the freedom He offers you daily. Where the Spirit of the Lord is-there is freedom! (Col 2:10, John 10:10, John 16:33, 2 Cor 3:17) 5/17/13-CIFL-LMM

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Ask, seek & knock...God will answer you!

Ask, seek and knock. Believing is not a feeling you feel...believing is a decision you make. Believing is based on Who God is...not if you understand everything about Him. Many have a hard time with this truth and lose direction in life-slowly fading into disbelief. Their belief is based on what they can understand. When I committed my life to Christ, I made the decision to believe, but I didn't completely trust Him. I was honest and told God I wanted to believe, but I was scared to trust Him. Then God sent His help...mercy and grace to do a work in me. My Father God met me where I was. I was doubting...I sought Him and He answered me. God delivered me from all my fears- He made a way for me. Jesus says to ask and it will be given, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened. God meets us where we are-we must decide if we will believe Him when He does. Ask, seek and knock...God always answers His door and will welcome you in. Have faith in God-constantly! (Mark 9:24, Matt 7:7, Ps 34:4, Mark 11:22) 5/16/13CIFL-LMM

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Where your strength ends...God's begins

Your best is not enough...that's a hard statement to read-but it's true. God will meet you at the end of your best every time, if you rely on Him to give you  strength. You end & He begins...His ability connects where your best stops. His grace is sufficient for you-His power is made perfect in your weakness.

What's overwhelming you...a job, financial concerns, parenting, issues in your marriage, career path, friendships, your future, uncertainty regarding the course of your life, a child with special needs, betrayal, a doubting mind, grief so heavy it weighs you down daily, figuring out how you will get through school and manage your family, how will you ever get out of debt & on & on?

God sees what you're going through-release it to Him. He will give you the strength to do the things He's called you to do & His strength will bring you through but you must rely on Him. Where your strength ends-His begins. Do your best-give what you have & then God will give you the endurance & patience you need to keep moving forward. Will you accept His grace & let His power be made perfect in your weakness? (Phil 4:13, 2 Cor 12:9, Col 1:11) 5/15/13CIFL-LMM #strength #christianinsightforlife www.facebook.com/christianinsightforlife

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Blaming others for how you feel...won't allow you to heal

As long as you blame others for how you feel... you won't heal. Let Jesus have what you're feeling-He can give back what someone took from you or give you what you didn't get. (Joel 2:25)5/14/13CIFL-LMM

Correction is for you...not against you

Correction is to make you right...not wrong. You're made right in Christ's righteousness-this is a daily transformation for every Believer. Let Jesus bind up and heal the old wounds you still carry where someone harshly corrected you or had unrealistic expectations of you. You will be defensive and reject correction until you allow Jesus' love to heal you. You want to be approved and valued, especially by those you love, but your defensiveness keeps a wall up between you and everyone and everything you care about. With loved ones, it's an ongoing fight. They're trying to connect-telling you how they feel; all you hear is criticism...that you are wrong. You are not wrong-you're behavior is wrong, but you won't accept this until you allow Jesus to heal the wrong done to you. They're wanting to address the wrong behavior  in the relationship that keeps you and them from connecting, but you push them away. And they walk away feeling defeated and even more distant from you; exactly what you don't want...their rejection of you. As long as you blame them for how you feel-you will not heal. You want your talents acknowledged and valued, but you feel dismissed. Listen closely, there's nothing wrong with you...but until you allow Jesus to flush the old hurts out of your heart and replace the negative voices in your mind with His love and Voice of Truth...you will blame the world for something only you can do something about. Talk with Jesus, He will help you; commit to hear, receive and apply the revelation knowledge He gives you. Talk with trusted godly counsel, read bible based information-walk it out. Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid (the bible uses the word stupid). Being made right through correction is a life long process-no one is exempt. Let the love of Jesus flood you...see yourself as He sees you; perfect and made in His likeness. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there's freedom! (Pr 12:1, Isa 61:1, Rev 3:20, Phil 1:6, 2 Cor 3:17, 5:17) 11/7/12CIFL-LMM

Monday, May 13, 2013

Fix your eyes on the prize...

Stay in the race...fix your eyes on the prize, keep your pace and endure, so you may fully accomplish the will of God-receiving, carrying away and enjoying what is promised to you! (Heb 10:35) 5/13/13CIFL-LMM

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Jesus will take your sorrow...

Many moms go through each day with overwhelming sorrow. I  pray if you are a mom carrying sorrow, you will pull the curtain of pain back & look beyond it- you have a good future & Jesus can heal your past.
I don't know what you've experienced in your journey or the sorrow you've encountered, but I do know what you can do moving forward...let Jesus love & restore your broken heart & take the sorrow you've been carrying.

Maybe you've lost a child to death, your child is missing or your child won't speak to you. I don't dare try to have an answer for the sorrow you're experiencing, but Jesus does-He is the answer to the death you feel in your heart.

You do your best to get by, to put another day behind you, putting on your practiced smile & keeping your wall up so no one hurts you again. You believe you're protecting yourself but you're dying inside. You must connect to Jesus to be nourished-remain in Him & He will remain in you...giving you life. He's the way,  truth & life. The hurt you've experienced can only be overcome by His love flowing through you.

I pray today you will stop the charade of trying not to look hurt-instead give your hurt to One Who will heal your hurt. Jesus is waiting to exchange with you-your sorrow for His everlasting love. He will soothe the ache inside of you & fill the emptiness with His love. I can't convince you...you have to take the risk-but I can promise you His love works with anyone, anytime & anyplace. Will you let Jesus take your sorrow & love you today? (Jer 29:11, John 15:4-5, John 14:6) 5/12/13LMM #jesuswilltakeyoursorrow #christianinsightforlife

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Jesus will heal you...

Jesus' love heals...what was stolen, lost or given away. Let Jesus restore every broken part of your heart... replacing painful words with His words of approval, depraved thoughts with His dignity,  sorrow for His joy. Hurts don't go away...they only go deeper. Bring your hurts into the light of Jesus and hand them to Him-He will tenderly bind up each one and set you free. You no longer have to remain a prisoner of your pain...or a captive of your circumstances. Call on the name of Jesus-He knows you and He will answer you. Don't let regret or shame lie to you one more day...the love of Jesus redeems, restores and renews...He's knocking on the door of your heart-will you answer? (Rev3:20, Eph 1:7, Ps 3:4) 5/9/13CIFL-LMM

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

God's plan for you...

Every time a person says, "I know but" in response to God's Word...they have knowingly but themselves out of God's plan for their life. 9/2012CIFL-LMM

Your mood...

Situations do not determine your mood...you do. 9/2012CIFL-LMM

Regret...

Regret can't stay with you...unless you carry it around. 9/2012CIFL-LMM

Your agenda...

Don't make the agenda God has assigned you more important than God...because without God, your agenda has no meaning. 2/2012CIFL-LMM

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

My heart is overflowing...

My heart is overflowing tonight with the love & support of our friends as they've encouraged & supported Rod & I self publishing our devotional, Christian Insight for Life...for every day. The love we've been given has spurred us on- we're grateful & honored beyond what words can express.
This devotional is an act of obedience-I never aspired to write. 18 mos ago God clearly instructed me to open a fb & post what He put on my heart. I didn't want a fb, but I obeyed. The fb led to this pg which led to a blog...which led to the devotional published last wk. Still, I never aspired to write anything beyond what God wanted me to post. It was only 2 mos ago that God clearly put on my heart to self publish & have a bk to offer at the Amarillo wom conf where I'm speaking nxt wk (conf is totally God). With the speed of Nehemiah hands, my husb, Rod self published the devotional through Createspace.
Obeying radical requests from God has been the agenda for Rod & me the last 8yrs, but the ante keeps getting bigger & riskier-the last 18 mos has been a go for it or go home kind of thing with God. We've been going for it-some days, honestly, I can barely keep my guts together. Then I remind myself, this has to be God bc Rod & I are not this crazy! We've been turned inside out; we've experienced a barrage of doubt, our insecurities exposed & confronted, beliefs challenged, our pride is purged daily & our false confidence is continually knocked out of us-predictable & familiar gone. "Un" is in our life...uncertain, uncomfortable, unknown, unsettled, uncommon, unimaginable. But we know Jesus & He knows us. Our identity is in Him- exclusively. We can't do anything apart from Him. He gives a boldness & courage that can't be found in the world. His love soothes, comforts, encourages & makes a way when there is no way. There are many more God kind of crazy details to this story...but I wanted to give you a hint of the back story to this devotional & thank our beautiful friends who continue to love us through it. I only intended to write a thank you post & refer ppl to the www.createspace.com/4222339 link at the top of my pg to purchase the bk, but I believe I was suppose to say all of this. Thank you for blessing us! Rod & Laura
Like · · · April 19 at 10:51pm near Garland ·

Monday, May 6, 2013

You've reached your limits...but God hasn't

Every time you find yourself pushed up against a wall and feel you've reached your limits; you're correct-you have...but God hasn't. Where your strength ends...His begins. He takes you to the next level of perseverance-pouring His power through you...exceedingly, abundantly more than you'd dare ever imagine! You have limits- God has none. Stay in fellowship with Him-relying on His power in you... this is the authentic confidence of Christ in you. Empowering you to do the things He designed you to do. So take the focus off of what you can or can't do and put your focus on our your Father God-Amen! (Eph 3:20-21) 10/2012CIFL-LMM

Sunday, May 5, 2013

You have overcome-you are more than a conqueror!

Fear whispers you might overcome...God says you have overcome-you are more than a conqueror! Fear is a liar all day long-don't listen to the condemnation of fear. Nothing, no one, nada, never...can you be separated from God's love. If God's for you, who can be against you? God's love trumps fear; renew your mind with God's Word-the truth...constantly. Know the truth and the truth will set you free. You have overcome-you are more than a conqueror! (Rom 8:37-39, Rom 8:31, Rom 12:2, John 8:32) 5/5/13CIFL-LMM

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Facing what you fear...

Until you face what you fear at this level...God can't release you to the next level. Face what you fear and the Lord will fight for you! (2Chron20:17) 5/4/13CIFL-LMM

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Renew your mind with...the way, the truth and the life!

Getting saved gets you a new spirit...but not a new mind! You've got to renew your mind with God's Word..."The words I speak to you are spirit and they are life." Renewing your mind involves reading the Word, meditating on it and spending time with Jesus-daily. Time with Jesus is your life source-to not have time to renew your mind is like saying you don't have time to breathe. Your mind must be renewed with Jesus...the way, truth and life. Apart from Him your mind withers resulting in exhaustion and depletion because of its finite ability. God's Word gives your mind the ability to exceed its own finite abilities...the insight to discern what otherwise would confound you-to believe and firmly stand on the promises of God even when all looks lost. Renewing your mind gives you a holy revelation of knowledge given by the Holy Spirit Himself. Renew your mind daily...don't reject the way, the truth and the life offered to you! (Ezek 36:26-27, Eph 4:23, Rom 12:2, John 6:63) 5/2/13CIFL-LMM