Leave the Luggage At the Door

We all have troubles and problems that can bog us down, distract us and if we aren’t careful they can consume us. We go to church and are so overwhelmed at times that even when we are in His presence we miss the opportunity to worship Him and bask in His presence because we are focused on our problems instead of our God.

If we come into the place that our Savior abides with that “luggage,” our hands are full and heavy.  We cannot lift our hands to the One who deserves our praise if our hands are full. Leave all the luggage at the door.  It doesn’t matter what we are enduring when we come into His presence. He fills us with His strength and peace that passes all understanding.  “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ.”(Philippians 4:7)

He deserves our undivided attention. We cannot just going through the motions of worship. Our focus has to be on Him, not on our distractions. Sure the luggage will still be there ready and waiting for you when you leave but after being in His presence the luggage isn’t quite as heavy as it was before your time with God.  

Leave the luggage at the door.  Don’t ever miss your opportunity to worship Him, He is seeking those who seek Him. “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.” (John 4:23)

The Power of Action

Have you ever heard about the penguins at the San Francisco Zoo? They had forty-six penguins that lived there for a long time. They became lazy and comfortable in their environment. So much so that they spent more time sleeping then they did swimming.

One day six new penguins arrived from Ohio. From dawn to dusk they swam and swam and swam. Eventually the forty-six penguins that spent more time sleeping were side by side swimming with the new arrivals. The six new penguin’s behavior and actions motivated the other forty-six penguins around them to do what they were called to do... swim!

Don’t ever think you don’t make a difference to those around you. Don’t let life just pass you by as you go through the motions, growing lazy and comfortable in your surroundings. There is a lost and hurting world surrounding you, watching you and if you are willing to jump into your calling and not give up they too will follow you. Lead them to the cross, to the One who died for you, to the thing they are called to do…

All Things New

Recently my husband came to me and said it is time for us to evangelize until God moves us to our destined place to pastor. I contacted a few of our faithful prayer partners to help us pray. Two promptly responded, “He is on the throne!” Our family gathered together for prayer. The Lord spoke to us and told us “I have made all things new.”  He filled us with His strength and peace. I got online and couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this:

 “And He who is seated on the throne said, ‘See! I make all things new…’ ”

(Revelation 21:5, AMP)

“When God puts a dream in your heart, when He puts a promise on the inside of you, He deposits within you everything you need to accomplish that dream. He wouldn’t give you the desire to do something without giving you the ability to fulfill it. In fact, the scripture tells us that God gives us the desires of our heart. In other words, He puts the desire inside of us and then works with us to bring it to pass.

Oftentimes, people set out to accomplish their dreams, but they face a setback or disappointment, and then they feel like their time has passed. But let me tell you today, no matter where you’ve come from, no matter what’s happened in your past, God wants to make you new. He wants to give you a fresh start. If you feel like you’ve missed opportunities in your life, if you feel like your time has passed, remember, today is a new day. You are a new person, and God has new opportunities in store for you. Lift up your eyes of faith and look forward to the new thing God has for you!” ~ Inspiring Scriptures

Whatever you are going through God is there for you leading, guiding, and providing. He proves Himself faithful over and over.

Kiss Them Goodbye!

Sometimes we have a Judas in our life we have to get through to get to the next level to do what we are destined to do. Don't get wrapped up in the pain of betrayal and disappointment that you lose your focus on what lies ahead!

I know it hurts to be falsely accused, rejected, and attacked… but instead of becoming a victim of your circumstance be a victor over the enemy. God will work it all out for you.  “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” Romans 8:28.

Jesus knows what it feels like to be betrayed (Luke 22:48 ), falsely accused (Mark 14:53-65; 15:1-3), and endured far greater then we can ever imagine (Mark 15:1-39). He suffered for us. He never lost His focus or forgot His purpose. He showed us we too can endure whatever we face. We aren’t in this alone. He is with us and through His strength we can endure. “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak…. But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength” Isaiah 40: 28-31.  Psalm 138:3 says, “As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.”

So when your Judas comes to betray you with a kiss, let it be a goodbye kiss and keep on traveling... greater things are up ahead.

Unlikely Heroes

A little shepherd boy facing a giant…

A baby left in a basket in the very river meant to destroy him leads God’s people out of slavery…

A young boy hated by his brothers, falsely accused ex-con saves a nation and his family with a dream…

A beautiful young Jewish girl approaches a King and saves her people…

A faithful prayer warrior thrown in a den of lions…

Three boys refuse to bow step into a fiery furnace…  

A young virgin girl riding a donkey in the cold starry night…

Story after story God takes ordinary people and surrounds them in the extraordinary. He sees potential when others see shortcomings. He recognizes determination while others never noticed the sheer drive of willingness and their commitment to God. He knows their faith is in Him while others think of what they cannot do, they think of what their God can do.

As you read this I wonder what God sees in you. What trial, what destination, what test is a part of His plan for your purpose. I have no doubt at times you will feel inadequate and unsure of yourself, but believe He sees a hero for His glory in the making. Though you may feel it unlikely and others around you may scoff, He watches and waits patiently for your time to arise and be all that He has called you to be.

For you are here at this specific time and place for such a time as this…