Thanksgiving: Is it full of food or gratitude?

Were you thankful this Thanksgiving? Did you get your fill of food or God's blessings?

My Thanksgiving was absolutely amazing. Nothing special happened, I was super sleepy and had little energy, but my soul and spirit were in awe! I was full!!!!! And I'm excited to report that it was not full of food, but instead overflowing with thankfulness.

If you read my previous blog, you knew that I was sick, THANKFUL, but sick... dog sick. Too the point of no relief (wheezing, couldn't breathe, painful cough and chest pains, no sleep) - I can count these type moments on one hand. I decided to go to the doctor (for those who don't know, this is big because I never go) before we left for Birmingham last Wednesday. Praise God for Drugs! (Legal of course). The drive was close to miserable but slowly i started finding some relief.

Thanksgiving morning I woke up a new woman! Not just because I had a good nights rest and the antibiotics and inhaler were working, but mainly because I was soooo grateful for the relief. I could not stop thinking about the MANY people in this world who deal with chronic issues and cannot find relief. Most specifically, all the people in Africa (from my mission trips) with infections that we gave antibiotics to. There is so much sickness and infection in 3rd world countries with no access to medicine to find relief. This is how they live. I could not imagine.

We are so blessed in America and we have no clue or we have this sense of entitlement - we want what we want and need and we have to have it right now because we DESERVE it! Instant relief... Instant help/assistance... Instant gratification. Who do we think we are !?!?!

On Wednesday am, God gave me perspective, and I'm so grateful that He daily opens my eyes to new things. Yes, It took two hours at the doctor for them to listen to my chest and prescribe meds (that's a long time when you're miserable, cant breathe and the office staff are staring at you with either sympathy or concern for the other pregnant patients being near you - I couldn't tell), and an hour to wait and get my prescriptions at Walmart, followed by a long line.

Each time, I wanted to think of complaining, my mind went straight to those people with chronic discomfort and all the people in Africa and other countries who live with infection and would gratefully wait for days to be treated, but don't have the opportunity. I ended up spending this time waiting in prayer. Not prayers of desperation or demands, but of gratitude and thankfulness.

Thank you Lord. May I always live with a heart of thankfulness and not entitlement! May I never take for granted all the blessings available to us as Americans. And may I continue to have a heart for those who do not have.

I challenge you when you are in ANY situation where complaints or impatience start to creep in - STOP - figure out one blessing you have in that situation and your perspective WILL change.

Thankfulness opens the door...

A favorite devotional of mine - A perfect time to start putting this into practice.

Jesus Calling, Sarah Young, July 24

THANKFULNESS OPENS THE DOOR to My Presence. Though I am always with you, I have gone to great measures to preserve your freedom of choice. I have placed a door between you and me, and I have empowered you to open or close that door. There are many ways to open it, but a grateful attitude is one of the most effective.

Thankfulness is built on a substructure of trust. When thankful words stick in your throat, you need to check up on your foundation of trust. When thankfulness flows freely from your heart and lips, let your gratitude draw you closer to Me. I want you to learn the art of giving thanks in all circumstances. See how much time you can thank Me daily; this will awaken your awareness to a multitude of blessings. It will also cushion the impact of trials when they come against you. Practice My Presence by practicing the discipline of thankfulness.

 Psalm100:4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

 

So, how can we apply this to the rest of our Thanksgiving week?

• If you are traveling for the holidays and have delays or difficulties getting there, don't complain, be thankful for the ability to travel and a place to go and share this holiday with someone.
• When you arrive and are surrounded by family that drives you bonkers.... stop those thoughts and replace it with thankfulness ... of a home to go to and a family to celebrate with.
• When you eat too much turkey, dressing, pies and everything else - don't think Why did i eat that? and get down on yourself ... be thankful that you always have food and today is a day to enjoy yummy rich foods without the guilt.
• If you have to work on Thanksgiving or the day after, count your blessing of having a job in a time when unemployment rates are so high.
• If you do not have family to celebrate with, celebrate with your heavenly father and Thank Him for always being at your side. Thank Him that you are NEVER along and for this holiday weekend to spend with Him.
• IF you're one of the crazies who gets out in the Black Friday mess ( I am sometimes, but not thinking that will be this year), be thankful that it is not a mandatory thing, but instead one of your own doing.. and stop complaining. :)

• And if you are me, right now, who at 5am is pretty miserable from a nasty throat and chest cold... and literally got 4 hours of sleep in 2 hour increments this Thanksgiving Eve, count your many blessings. 
• There are many who live daily with chronic things like this or worse
• If I cannot sleep, I will spend time with my God. Thank you Lord for this time with you.

Jesus Calling, November 22
..A Thankful mind-set does not entail a denial of reality with its plethora of problems, Instead, it rejoices in M e, Your Savior, in the midst of trials and tribulations. I am your refuge and strength, an ever-present and well-roved help in trouble.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, [though] the product of the olive fails and the fields yield no food, though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the [victorious] God of my salvation!

Psalm 46:1 God is our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble.

HAPPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Back to my Basics

Yes, I almost went my first week without sending a blog - Part of me is thinking... don't stress too much because you will get into legalism... and this is true. But another part of me knows I'm dealing with a disconnect right now... I'm not in a great place... I'm falling into some old habits.

Why? what happened? I've got to get back to the basics of what God has been teaching me.

Ok, let me get my circumstantial complaints out real quick, then I will get down to the actual issue at hand. We all have these circumstantial things going on. We need to recognize them, identify the deception in them, find the root issue and turn back to the ONE true solution for all of it - His Truth and Trusting in it!

Here goes ... as shallow or embarrassing as it may seem...but I'm committed to being transparent and determined not to let anything stand in the way of my freedom in Christ.

THE CIRCUMSTANCE: I'm growing by the day and it's driving me bonkers! Eight more weeks to go before we meet sweet baby girl Michaud. And I'm wishing the time away.

• I'm obsessed, yes... I STILL am... with weight gain and want my due date to be NOW because I don't want to gain another pound (How messed up is that?)
• My fixation on food is out of control - I need the "I'm pregnant, I can eat this" excuse to leave and quickly! The Holiday season is upon us and it's just going to get worse! Yikes!
• My body is forcing me to be still. I miss my exercise... how it enhances my mood. It's been my "God Time." I haven't been able to run for 2 1/2 months now and even walking now is becoming painful or another activity I'm having to give up. This is really hard for me.

This circumstance is beginning to pull me inward and away from God

THE ACTUAL ISSUE: I'm so busy teetering between two extremes that are NOT from God, that I'm choosing NOT to glorify Him and live in His freedom.

• I'm giving into the cravings of the flesh (pure indulgence) and the lie "I have an excuse and only for a short time longer - so ... ENJOY it while you can!"
• I'm giving into people pleasing; Obsessed, because I don' t want to appear weak in this area, I don't want to be embarrassed by my size, I want to appear to have this area of my life "together." Basically, I'm choosing to see myself the way the world does or they way Satan makes me feel the world does; instead of the way I truly am - Beautiful in God's eyes. 

There is NO room for God and his plan
with all of this clouding my judgement.

THE SOLUTION: So what are my Basics I'm speaking of?

• Meditating on God's Loves for me - It's bigger than ANY circumstance and lie
• Speaking God's Word against negative thoughts and feelings (Reading through my collection of Bible Verses that bring life to my bones)
• Refusing any thoughts of condemnation or deception no matter what package they come in 
• "I am good enough IN Christ - not just my inner self, but also my appearance."
• "I don't have to be "exercising" to have my God time - I can do it physically being still."
• Seeking His presence and a Kingdom Perspective.
• What is really important right now?
• What is He trying to teach me through this trial?
• Get my focus off of myself and onto my calling - Being a light and walking in love. "Never mind what is going on around me, WHO can I bless today?"
• Listen to the Holy Spirit's Guidance:
• Verse He brought to mind: 1 Cor 6:19-20 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 
• What I'm going to do with it? My new motto I will speak until I feel it, believe it and act on it - "I WILL SACRIFICE THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD (over-indulgence) FOR MY GOD!"

And I will embrace even the bad days as God takes me through this growing and stretching process. 

After the vote has been cast...

If waking up this morning to the decisions of the world (more specifically our country) has you confused, in shock and bearing a heavy wight of worry... step back and take the kingdom perspective. Remember who is REALLY in charge and REST in that.

It saddens me that this country is so divided in their beliefs. Would there be such a separation if other countries had the same freedoms we did? I grew up believing that one party was evil and the other was the way to go. The truth is, we are all human, we all have evil trying to take over in our lives.  Trying to persuade us... deceive us ... use us. What are we doing about this issue in our own lives?  We need to start there and become one in the body of Christ (despite our political differences). We need to agree to disagree and work together to make a change in our own city. When Christians come together in harmony (because our "REAL" leader is the same).... that's where true change really takes place.

I learned around this time 4 years ago, something very valuable. I had a strong negative belief about our new president and didn't know what to do with that. At church, our pastor made a powerful statement to me that changed my view of it all. Votes have been cast, decisions have been made. If your candidate is not the winner (regardless of what side your on) it's not time to fear, worry, or hate. Its not time to sit on your opinions, obsess over the media's views, let it all fester and dwell on what could have been. It is time to PRAY.. .Pray for our new president, not against him and those you disagree with. Pray for his walk, for his decisions, for his responsibility (this country), his relationships and who he listens to, and where he chooses to take us.

Waking up this morning, I did have a moment of shock, BUT I WILL NOT GO THERE. I've learned not worry so much about it. Remember, no leader in this country or another is bigger than Our One true leader - and HIS SEAT IS NEVER UP FOR GRABS.

God is up there, looking down on us. Listen ... can you hear Him? ... He's saying "Trust me...don't worry, I have big plans. This is not a surprise. I got this. "

Yes, we as Christians need to do OUR PART - become educated about all that's going on and cast our vote. But then, we need to surrender... lay it into his more than capable hands. From there, no matter what the outcome is, we rest assured that no one on earth or beyond can change or take control over our Leader. And we need to answer His calls to make a difference in our country.... not through words of debate, but through action.

How comforting to know our God is sovereign and to be trusted.

OUR PART

Submitting to Authority
Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

Remember God is in Control
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Pray in all things at all times
Ephesians 6:18 At all times, pray by the power of the Spirit. Pray all kinds of prayers. Be watchful, so that you can pray. Always keep on praying for all of God’s people.

Come together as the body of Christ - If we really do this, we can bring change no matter what election outcomes are.
1 Cor 12:12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ 
Col 3:14-16  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.

A breakthrough right now...

In life, whatever we are going through...whatever we are waiting to overcome...

...we all want that quick fix... and we want it NOW! ... For the pain to be taken away... for things to be easy...without any blood, sweat and tears. 

• Freedom from an addiction or habit
• Healing from a physical/psychological sickness or ailment
• Solution to Financial problems
• Marriage problems instantly cured
• A Restored Relationship
• Overcoming a stronghold or mindset that you've believed most your life
• God's Truth to Transform our lives

...Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way ...Fortunately, it does work that way.

Victories come. Breakthroughs come. But they take TIME, FAITH, PERSEVERANCE and DILIGENCE! They take molding. Us moving a step forward in the process of becoming more like Christ. If they didn't take these things, it wouldn't stick. We wouldn't learn from the experience. We couldn't share and help others with our stories. We would not live differently.

We've all received victory and breakthroughs in life... we just have to recognize them (big or small). It may not be the one you want at this moment, but don't down play its importance... CELEBRATE IT!

I've overcome depression's hold over me. I've overcome my lack of faith in God's love and acceptance for me. I've overcome doubt, selfishness and negativity in my marriage. I've overcome the way I view money and the need or want for it - Instead, I trust in His provisions.

It took time, trial, perseverance, faith and diligence! It took me learning how to REFOCUS - on the right thing (the root of the issue, what God's word says about it, and what He is teaching me); instead of the wrong thing (the issue, the circumstance, my feelings about it ).

Was it easy? NO way.

Was it completely worth it? Absolutely.

While some of these things still try and creep back into my life, I recognize their falsehood because I have already battled for that freedom. I take the lies and thoughts about them captive (2 Cor 10:5) and live by what I know (Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28)... God's Truth. It is the only truth we have and we must cling to it. Our lives depend on it!

What do I want to go away RIGHT NOW? My son's behavioral issues and my response to it, my feelings of failure as a mom, my love for food and its comfort, my fixation with body image and weight. What do I KNOW? That they will in His timing. My God is bigger and has a plan. Looking at my past victories, I can see that they were a learning process I HAD to go through. Now being on the other side of these things, I'm so thankful for the experience. I lean on this in times of trial and know that I know that I know that God will bring me victory in this area in His timing and with my obedience.

I must, however, not focus on the victory, because it will come when I'm not expecting it and will look different than what I picture.

So... what do you want to overcome or to go away at this very moment?

What are you doing to work towards that goal?

What are you focusing on? The victory (what you picture it to look like)? Or what God is teaching you right now through it?

Isaiah 55:9 The heavens are higher than the earth. And my ways are higher than your ways. My thoughts are higher than your thoughts.

Eph 3:20 God is able to do far more than we could ever ask for or imagine. He does everything by his power that is working in us.

God has other plans

So... yesterday, as I was to post my weekly blog... I was weak, beaten down... I had nothing. I figured I'd just skip this week and wait till I was in a better place next week... God had other plans...

This morning, the "You Version" bible verse of the day was

1 Corinthians 1:27 But God has chosen what the world calls foolish to shame the wise. He has chosen what the world calls weak to shame what is strong.

I didn't just choose to read it and move on with my day. I chose to meditate on it and see what it was saying to me. Yes, I am weak (in myself). Yes, I am foolish (in my own doing). But He CHOSE me. I am not to dwell on my weaknesses and inadequacies. I am to surrender them so God may do His good work and RECEIVE all the Glory.

God has given me a calling of transparency... revealing my foolishness and weakness... So I can not boast. But, So He can cover it and be glorified.

Thank you Lord for this calling. I will obey. I will not choose to hide in the moment when things are tough and wait to share when things are better. I will instead share my life ... where I am and the promise of where I am going.

Yesterday was full of feelings of defeat and failure of being a mom - Yes, Satan is hammering as hard as HE can in this area right now. I will not fold and give into it. I will NOT believe it. I will not make it my truth. For MY truth comes from THE TRUTH.

I will surrender my weaknesses and inadequacies and claim my Identity in Christ

1. I have the mind of Christ and hold the thoughts of His heart. (1 Cor 2:16)
2. I have NO lack for my God supplies ALL of my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:19)
3. I have received the power of the Holy spirit. I have power over the enemy in Jesus Name (Luke 10:17,19; Mark 16:17,18)

What will you claim as your truth when things seem bleak? Will you allow your foolishness and weaknessese to defeat you OR will you allow God to use them for His glory?

All You Need is Love...

Joyce Meyer says - There is nothing more important than for you to know that you know that you know that God loves you unconditionally. There has NEVER been a time in your life that God has NOT loved you. HE WILL NEVER NOT LOVE YOU.

 I agree and I’ve spoke of this before. But I believe it’s worth revisiting.

This truth is so simple. MANY think they believe it, but VERY FEW actually grasp it in their lifetime… I've been a Christian since I was 10 years old, yet, I didn’t finally get "this" until I was 28!!!

You have to watch this powerful video!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/uo4bqaf01g4vu7a/Inheritance.mp4

 Ever since I was little, I believed in God's love... it was fact. I sang about it ... read about it... heard about it in church... yet I was still miserable, overwhelmed in depressed the majority of the time. Why? I never felt GOOD enough. I thought I had to be better. So I invited Satan's condemnation into my life because I could NOT combat it with God's love. I couldn’t combat it, because I did NOT have the FAITH in His love to RECEIVE IT.

Why is this truth so hard to grasp? I believe it's because...

1. We don't understand what love really is

• Very early on, we learn to love the way the world loves... conditionally... a give and take kind of relationship. Therefore, most of feel we need to BE or DO something more for God to love us. This is LEGALISM and not love. If this was true, Christ did NOT have to die.
• This lie is so easily received because it's the world's thinking and what our flesh is drawn to. You don't NEED faith for this kind of "love." Our spirit is drawn to God's love, but if we keep allowing our flesh to control our lives, we cannot understand and believe in His True Love.

2. We don't love ourselves

• All of us in some way or another are constantly trying to fill ourselves with something because we don't know how to just RECEIVE God's love. Why did God create us? He was so full of something (love) that we wanted somewhere to put it. That hole we are trying to fill is only satisfied with God's love. Why did He create you? To Love You. (Pastor Chip Judd)
• Satan makes sure we feel condemnation any chance he gets. In fact, Satan's first method of temptation to Eve in the garden was to bring doubt of God's love upon her. (BSF Int'l Genesis study). That right there shows us the importance of knowing God's love.
• You must learn to love yourself JUST BECAUSE GOD LOVE YOU, only then will you get the upper hand of condemnation in your life.

Do we really know what love is?

1. It’s a CHOICE, not a feeling.

2. It’s UNCONDITIONAL

• Totally giving of yourself to meet the needs of others without expecting anything in return
• Loving someone exactly as they are today; regardless of what they have done in the past, are doing in the present, or what they will do in the future.
• It leaves no room for disappointment in or shame for another - only COMPLETE ACCEPTANCE

To find the true meaning, we must go to the Word of God

• 1 John 4:8 Those who do not love do not know God because God is love.
• Love freely gives – John 3:16 He so loved us, he GAVE
• Love IS BEFORE receiving anything in return Romans 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners (His enemies), Christ died for us.
• Love is a Bond that CANNOT be broken – Romans 8:38-39 NOTHING can keep us from the love of God through Christ
• Love plays NO favorites – Job 34:19 (he shows no favor one over another - We are ALL the work of His hands)
• Love Is steadfast (constant, unwavering) and Endures forever – Psalm 136:26

Jesus came to help us “SEE” the love of God

 So How did I Come to KNOW of God’s love?

Joyce Meyer in Battlefield of the Mind says, In order to experience God’s love, you have to meditate on it. If you don’t meditate on it, you will not experience it.

That’s exactly what I did. Every morning, I would close my eyes, sit in quiet and speak three words “God Loves Me.”  I would then think on those three powerful words, and speak it again with more confidence. I’m not sure when it happened, but I truly believe this is how I found it.

Just like Love is a CHOICE, not a feeling;

Accepting His Love is a choice and not based on a feeling.

 So… Do you know that you know that you know that God Loves You? Do you ever doubt his love? Do you give into the voice of condemnation and allow it to take away your joy? Do you trust him with your life? Your whole life?

Do the God Love Me exercise even if you believe it already. It may open your eyes to something more. I pray it blesses you the way it has me.