God is with me. This was definitely a week that was a reminder of that. It’s something I know, but sometimes life is so challenging, that you need that reminder. That reverting back to last week’s Back to the Basics, made this week, so much easier to bear. Which is God’s yoke, easy. Sometimes, I have seriously wondered how people get through life without God. Life is hard enough, how do you survive without God? Which to be fair, God knew, and that is why He sent His son, to give us the connection to God that we need to get through this life.

Problem too hard to face – hand it over to God.

Need direction – ask God.

Need strength, patience, understanding, compassion, love – Use God’s.

I always remind myself that God has faced all my problems before, I have not. He is the ultimate mentor, counsellor, and friend. He’s literally has it all figured out. It’s like living life with an answer key. And, all the basics from last week, keep you in tune to that answer key. I think the most mysterious thing about the relationship sometimes is how to utilize your answer key. How to stay in tune to the Spirit that you know which problems need what answers.

Personally, the Year of Great Loss, was the biggest growth I have ever experienced. Not that I wish those experiences upon anyone. But the things I learned during that time are invaluable. And, to put them simply: I cannot control my problems and I have to live each moment the best that I can, trusting God for the answers.

The key, is that while this was all going on, I was working on growing my faith. I was growing with God. Everything that happened to us that year, I could not control nor could I do much about any of it, except to trust God. I was focusing on God and God was focusing on me. I was not focusing on my problems (toward the end anyway. In the beginning, I was focusing on the problems, which I believe is why things only got worse.) But, once I figured out, that I was just supposed to stay the course, and focus on God. It all started making sense and I was able to cope with everything that was happening. God’s yoke is easy. Ever since that point, I have found, that I can be upset in the moment, I can get ruffled about the circumstances, but that is momentary and fleeting. I just move on to the next moment. I deal with what has happened the best that I can and do what I believe is right, and move on. God doesn’t want us living in the past. Satan is the only one who wants us to wonder the what if’s and maybe’s. You cannot change the past, only the now. And, God doesn’t want us worrying about tomorrow, He is already there. He knows what He has in store for us (Good Things!). SO – the only moment to deal with is the Now. And, He is with us in the Now.

The other thing the Year of Great Loss taught me – is that You have absolutely no idea what could happen next. You can make up ten million scenarios in your mind and worry about every one of them, and yet, what can happen next is not one of those scenarios and you are absolutely not prepared for it. – SO, WHY? Why do that to yourself? Why live in all that angst? I have put that burden down. And, I’ve come to find, that burden is one of the heaviest. God’s yoke is easy. Whatever comes next, God will help me through it. He is with me.

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You!! Thank You for blessing us. Thank you for making your yoke easy. Thank you for being the infinite book of answers. Thank you that you guide us and protect us each and every step of the way. Thank you for your everlasting life! Thank You for all that You have done for us Father, and all that You will do. For Your guidance and understanding, for being everything that we need, all of the time. That You are in the future and in the now. That You only want good things for us Father. That You are our strength and our comforter. Thank You for your many blessings and all that You do. May You bless the work of our hands, and the words from our lips that they may bring glory and honor to You each day. IN JESUS’ NAME!! AMEN!!

I’m kinda at a loss this week. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to be writing about today. I’ve been in a bit of a lull, as things open back up and cases rise, getting back into schedules and the swing of things, I have been struggling for growth.

The one thing I can tell you, is that during this time, my routines of fellowshipping with God have been very important to keeping me in line with the Spirit. Of not letting my lull become a backward slope. Just as important as they were when churches shut down and interpersonal fellowship wasn’t possible any more, here they are again, keeping me grounded in the faith. One thing I’ve realized is that maybe this concept could help others. Years ago, I smashed the sides of God’s box and let him in to all aspects of my life. And that, has truly changed my relationship with Him, and who I am as a person. This has grown my faith exponentially, and contributed to so many things that I am grateful for today.

One disclaimer I would like to put here, is that I did not add all of these things to my life at once, it was a slow process, but now that I am here, I cannot imagine not doing these things all the time. And, I am grateful for their constant reminders and continued contribution to my faith and keeping me connected and growing as much as possible.

I listen to Christian music as much as possible. I started with DC Talk since they were some of the first “cool” Christian bands I had heard of way-back-when. This has evolved into several different Christian stations between live worship music, DC Talk attitudes, old gospels, and anything in between that keeps me in the constant worship attitude. I do also listen to secular music from time-to-time, but I do try to limit it to bands with minimal/no swearing, positive messages, and the like. Just because I have personally noticed that tripping down that rabbit hole of other music does tend to change my attitude to my environment.

I pray every morning. To start my day off right. Now, I’m not perfect, I do miss some days, but for the most part, I try to make a point of praying every morning. I used to have lists of what subject I was particularly praying for on what days, and sometimes I still revert back to that. But, I’ve grown so much in my prayer life, that I no longer find these reminders necessary. I pray for general subjects every day and sprinkle in specific subjects as needed, but really it’s the time of talking with God and getting started on the right foot. And, I always pray, that he guides my path today, blesses the words from my mouth and the work of my hands, that they may bring glory and honor to Him.

I go to church. Now, I did get to go to church a while back, and it was very refreshing and filled me up, but sadly as cases have increased in our area, and as I’ve been getting back in the swing of things, this tidbit has fallen by the wayside. But, I don’t find this to be as critical since I am further along in my faith. And, I also have had a Bible Study that I am consistently able to attend (either in person, or virtually during the time when in person was not necessarily “allowed”). This enriching ability to discuss growth and needs and concepts with others helps keep perspective and growth possible. This interaction with other believers is part of what the body of Christ needs. Whether through going to church or meeting together on a smaller scale. The body of Christ needs to be connected. You have to have others around you to connect with and grow, just like children and family. That accountability, perspective, and support is vital. There are parts of church, of course, that you don’t get from a Bible Study, and vice versa, and it is best when you can have both, but during these times, you take what you can get.

One of the biggest parts of missing Church, is missing the sermons. The ability to just sit back and have your cup filled. Which is part of why I listen to podcasts of sermons. Sometimes, I binge on sermons and really get the cup filled, and other times I just need to be “topped off” and I’ll just listen to one or two. One aspect I really enjoy about this, is that I’m able to listen to various speakers, and I’ve started to realize I can listen to certain ones when I’m struggling with particular topics. Or some give you meat and potatoes and others give you milk and bread. Really just depends on your needs and where you’re at.

Then, of course, there’s actually reading your Bible! I haven’t done this one for a while, and as I sit here writing this, I realize that maybe this is what I need to get worked back in. I personally enjoy the YouVersion Bible app, that allows you to pick studies and get them in daily doses on truly whatever subject you want, and set little reminders to get your daily dose in. And, one thing I’ve found with reading the Bible is that it really fills you up. Seems to me, that a little bit, goes a long way. You really have to take time to digest what you’re reading, and that’s the nice thing about the app, it gives you insight from the author on what they pulled out of the scriptures to chew on. But really, however you can get some scripture in, you should. The Word fills you up. Breathed straight from the mouth of God. Speaking to you. Every time you read it.

So, I hope this helps, as usual, I see it has helped me. Sometimes, getting back to the basics, is how we move forward. Maybe there is something in here that you would like to integrate. Wherever you’re at, just remember that God is with you, and as long as you are trying to move forward, you will.

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this day, and all the days. Thank you for your incredible patience with us. Thank you for all the ways you’ve given us to connect with You. Thank you for being with us in our ebbs and flows. Thank you for your incredible love that is unconditional and never ceases. Thank you for all that You do for us. That You are the Good, Good Father, that guides us, protects us, sustains us, comforts us, and is all things to all men. That we may all continue to grow in Your Love, in Your Spirit, in Your Everlasting Self. That we may continue to become better versions of ourselves and we continue to strive to be more like You and Your Son. Thank You Father, for all that You do, and all You will continue to do. May we all enjoy Your blessings, all the days of our lives. IN JESUS’ NAME!! AMEN!!

Mission’s Circle

Please forgive me this week, as I do not know much about this mission at all, but just discovered it recently and it seems really neat. There is a online shopping website that donates a portion of it’s proceeds to missions, and it has quite a few faith-based items (wall-hangings, jewelry, etc.) I am not receiving any of the proceeds nor am I affiliated with them in any way. I just think it’s neat and wanted to share.

Feel free to check it out: https://www.premierdesigns.com/

“You are what you eat.” That has been on my mind this morning, and in my life this week. You are what you eat. Simply put, you put good stuff in, you get good stuff out. Garbage in, garbage out. I’ve had a couple instances throughout the past two weeks that really reinforce this fact. And, I’ve talked about it before as well. Prepare for Battle, Battle!, and Speak Life all touch on this concept.

But this week, it really feels like the news has become Satan’s soapbox to get everybody wound up. Which reminds me of some good information my mother gave me at one point: You know, the news, used to be a 10-15 minute segment on TV, once a day. That was it. 10-15 minutes of news, just the headlines, and if you wanted more information, you could grab the local newspaper. Now, there are channels dedicated to news 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You want to hear about how insanely horrible it is out there? You want a quick shot of depression? You want to spiral into a rollercoaster of sensing impending doom, watch the news for a minute. We have human trafficking over here, a double-dose of brink of war over there, a full cup of injustice and oppression for today’s special, and oh yeah, just in case that wasn’t overwhelming enough – let’s give you today’s death tolls from COVID, from war, from murders, from anything else we can get our hands on because you all need to know every single detail so you become so frozen with fear and angst and everything else that you can’t live your own life because look at all of this!!!

Ugh. What a nightmare. Now, I’m not saying these things are not important. They absolutely are. But, it’s like eating a balanced diet. There is absolutely no need to gorge yourself on the news. Besides the fact that they broadcast so much news and so many stories that you could get lost all day in there, which is not healthy. I would like to say it’s like chocolate, but you know, chocolate is actually good.

I personally do not watch the news at all. I read articles about the news, when I want to, when I’m in the right mindset and feel like I can handle it. I also take most of the news with a grain of salt, because I understand that there are a million different views about the situation and I’m only reading one flawed human’s interpretation of what happened. – Which by the way, let’s remember that even the best reporter is simply regurgitating “facts” they could find about an event, let alone the many people that are simply giving you their interpretation of events sprinkled with facts.

Another thing I keep in mind about the news, is that – Am I going to do anything about what I’m reading? Yes, the Russians doing whatever they’re doing these days is probably not good, but am I, going to do anything about it? – Probably not. So therefore, if I’m not going to invest my time and energy into doing something about this, should I be reading it? If I still feel like I should be reading it, fine, but then, if I am upset by what I have read, I have to decide how much time I’m going to be upset about it, then I need to let it go and let God handle it.

You know why I believe the news is Satan’s Soapbox? Because it gives people are spirit of fear. Which is not from God. The Spirit of Fear never comes from God. Never. God gives us the spirit of peace, love, understanding, and compassion.

I will say that I found it very interesting: Here we were, just a few months ago, mid-pandemic, and the news was full of articles about how much everyone was helping each other. How much humans were all getting together and loving on one another. We were going to get through this. All was not lost. Whispers of Revival were happening. So many people were just being the better side of humans, and it was touching and beautiful. Then, the news took a hard turn, and we’re back to every man for himself, and you can’t trust anybody, and nobody cares about you. Satan got scared, and he turned up the heat. Can’t be having that love stuff going around, can’t be letting God into the situation. – Because God is Love. And you know, that you hardly ever see articles about Love in the news… another good indicator of who’s really running the headlines.

So, I’ve said all of that, to say this. You are what you eat. If you are constantly munching on bones of bad news and everything that Satan wants you to focus on for items that more often than not, you can literally do nothing about, then you are going to be overwhelmed, depressed, and afraid. But, if you focus on the Word of God. If you read your Bible, and listen to sermons, and worship music, and spend your time loving your neighbor and trying to win souls for Christ, then You are putting good out there. You are being the light of the World. You are showing that there is Hope and Peace and Love to be had. By the blood of Jesus. By the redemption of our Savior. If you just try to change the world, by loving the circle that You are in, and showing love to your fellow man, and loving your neighbor as yourself, then THAT is what God’s plan is for you. And if you can do more – AMAZING!! If you have an idea about how to help some of the situations you are seeing in the news, God BLESS YOU!! But, do not let it be a tool from the devil to hold you down and let it be a spirit of fear that paralyzes you into not being the Light that God wants you to be. Break the chains that Satan aims to put on you. Be diligent for he stalks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he can devour. If you have been gobbling it up like Thanksgiving dinner, then maybe it’s time to consider a diet. Because You are a CHILD OF GOD. YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. YOU ARE AN OVERCOMER. YOU ARE VICTORIOUS. YOU CAN WIN LIFE.

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You!! Thank you for being the Good, Good Father that you are. Thank you for being the love in the world. Thank you that you give us hope. That you give us life. Thank you for your amazing grace and your overwhelming peace. Thank you for giving us the supernatural peace that surpasses all understanding. Thank you that you never give us the spirit of fear. Thank you for loving us, for loving us so much that you sent your son to die for us that we may be redeemed, that we may know what your love feels like. That we may show your love to others. That we may put on the garment of praise to cast of the spirit of fear. That you have good plans for us and not to harm us, but to bless us. That we may bask in your love and be the light of the world for others, that they may also know your love. Thank you Father, for all you do for us, and all that you continue to do. That you may bless the work of our hands and words from our lips that they bring glory and honor to you Lord. IN JESUS’ NAME!! AMEN!!