I want to talk about taking our faith, hopes, desires and dreams to the next level. Many of us fall short of reaching the things that we say and believe we want. Many times we fail ourselves or circumstances don't provide the opportunity. I believe that there is a vital step that needs to happen in order for us to really see our desires take life. That step is action.
The kind of action I'm talking about isn't the same old actions that you've always taken. Not the actions that you feel comfortable with like leaning on your own thinking and ability to make something happen. The logical path. No, the action I'm talking about usually is uncomfortable, scary & definitely uncertain. It's the kind of action that trusts in a higher power to help you. It's the "faith" kind of action. It's stepping out of the boat and attempting to walk on water (like Peter did in belief that he would walk over to Jesus). Everything in your mind would rationalize that you know you can't walk on water... you'll sink. But nonetheless you take that first step. You ACT on your belief.
But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. -James 2:18 NIV
Let me share an example of this in my own life. When I worked as the manager for that weight loss center, I had a desire to one day work independently from home. I wanted to take the emphasis off "selling things to people" and put it on healing them. I was tired of the pressures I was getting from the people above me. This wonderful idea came but was immediately dismissed by me as being ridiculous. I could see no way that it could happen without a lot of opposition and difficulty. I went on with my life. Several months later a center near mine, shut down. It was a smaller center with much less clientele. It had struggled in it's revenue for a very long time and the decision wasn't a surprise. After this happened that buried desire popped back up into my mind. The thought was more detailed this time. I had a feeling that my center may close down as well. But the next thought was the dismissal thought. I couldn't see how that would happen. Our revenue was decent. Sure we were in a bit of a slump, but not to the level of shutting our doors. It didn't seem possible. I let it go. However, this time the thought kept coming back almost in a nagging fashion. I couldn't let it go even though it seemed insane. I finally believed it was divine inspiration and decided to stop fighting it. At this point I really got excited about starting my own business. I continued to be committed to my job at work and do all that was required of me to bring revenue in and help clients, but I secretly pondered my freedom. I began to visualize it and speak about it to my husband but I saw no movement in the direction of my hopes. I started to think I was believing for something that was not going to ever happen. It was discouraging. But the nagging inspiration was still there. I felt deep in my heart that my journey was going in that direction... so I kept believing anyway. I'll tell you where it all came to a head.
One day it hit me that I needed to back my faith up with some action. I definitely was exercising my faith muscle by believing in the dream but I was reminded that the Lord wants to really see if I will step out of the boat. I did 3 pivotal things to show Him I was serious about this desire that I believed He put in my heart and head. First, I started to organize my house to get it ready to receive clients. Next, I knew that I was getting close to needing a newer car. If I had no faith I would have trusted that there was plenty of time to do that in the future. But because I did have faith in what was coming, I decided to take advantage of having a pay stub to show income, which would be more difficult when self employed. This decision had two opportunities for faith. It showed the Lord that I believed I would be self employed soon and it also showed Him that I trusted Him to prosper my newly formed business in order to help me support a newer vehicle. I believe if He didn't think the car was a good idea, he would have botched up the deal in advance (I know that sounds crazy to a lot of you... but I still have the car to this day and we're able to sustain it). I stepped out of the boat and showed Him I was serious in a big way. The third thing I did was to design my business website and order my business cards. I wanted to act "as if" it were here. I knew I needed to have those tools for my business when the time did arrive. Just 2 weeks after I did that last step.... I got a call out of the blue. My boss let me know that the company wasn't just shutting my doors... but the whole Utah market. I was in a state of shock! I had mixed emotions for myself and everyone involved. Joy, Gratitude, Sadness and fear. I knew employees and clients would be thrown into a state of chaos with this news. But I also know that the Lord's timing is perfect. He wouldn't have done it for me if it wouldn't have been the right path for everyone involved. I believe He put that idea back into my head so that I could have the opportunity to trust Him before the closure of the center. He wanted to allow me to learn this lesson of faith and action. I am truly grateful!
Ask yourself what you want. Then ask God to help you. If it's not right for your life... He will probably show you something better and you will get inspired. That inspiration won't go away. Trust that. Then believe it came from Him and lean on that belief. Don't let discouragement or impatience shut you down. Then take your belief to the next level. Act on your faith. Do something that signifies your expectancy of your desired outcome. When you do this... you are stepping off the boat. You are moving and acting in faith. As you can see from my story above... it didn't happen with just one act of faith on my part... it took several before I showed perseverance to the Lord. You must be persistent with Him. Show Him you believe. When you do this... you will have the desires He put in your heart!!!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Freedom is available... if you choose it
When I write my newsletters I obviously write them from a "Christ centered" perspective. I assume that if you take the time to read my messages, you must be a believer in Christ as well. While many of us have variations in our beliefs, I hope we can come together to agree on some basic fundamentals. This is my sincere hope and goal when writing to all of you. If you carry these core beliefs, then I believe you must put them into practice when dealing with this or any other struggle you may have. Today I want you to question whether or not you are truly allowing that God given power, to help you overcome any surmounting difficulty that you are facing.
Let me show you something that it says in the Bible about overcoming any challenges (body, money, relationships, etc.). If you believe in Christ, then you need to truly understand the power of what he did for you and the power that is available to help you. Please read this next part carefully and ask the Lord to help you internalize it into your heart. I have asked Him to do the same for me. It's a bit long, but I believe it will help you tremendously, if you will read it to the end.
In my last newsletter, I mentioned that Christ came to amend the Law of Moses. What does this mean? It means that the Law was in place to help the people gain a righteousness through these laws. They did that by observing specific practices. By keeping these laws, they were able to approach God & live in His favor. However, the time came for God to send His Son to be the living sacrifice for our sins. This ultimate sacrifice of God's Son was done so that we could approach God willingly and without restriction and receive the power He promised to His heirs. Why do I tell you all of this? Because when we continually lean on our own strength to handle our weaknesses, we negate the point for which Christ came and died for us. We are trying to get ahead by our own righteousness or greatness when it comes to gaining control over our bodies.
It says in Galatians 3:22-25 NIV- But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
What is faith again? Hebrews 11:1 KJV-
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Faith is not living by what we can tangibly see and do ourselves. It comes through believing in something that we can't see or do completely for ourselves.
When we believe in what Christ did for us, we are now free to receive God's inheritance because we are heirs. Children of the Father. Able to approach Him freely and intimately. Before Christ, we couldn't do that.
Galatians 3:26-29 NIV- You are all sons (and daughters) of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Stay with me. I want you to read all of this so that you understand it completely. The Apostle Paul continues explaining this principle in Galatians 4:3-7 NIV- So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, Born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons (and daughters). Because you are sons (and daughters), God sent the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are a son (and daughter), God has made you also an heir. Before you were grafted into "Son-ship" through Christ's sacrifice, you were in bondage to the world and all the things that enslave us in this world, your body being one of them. But now because you are a joint heir with Christ in God's power (His Spirit), you have freedom from the things that oppress you in this world.
The power of His spirit is residing within you to help you.... if you will allow it to!
Paul continues clarifying this principle in Galatians 4:8-9 NIV- Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God- or rather are known by God- how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
That is so big!!! When we don't rely on the power of the Spirit to help us... we are turning back to a much WEAKER approach. That "weaker approach" is leaning on our own efforts to overcome our weaknesses.
Paul continues the teaching in Galatians 5:1 NIV- It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
"Standing Firm" comes across to me as not letting ourselves be knocked down. When we "lean" on something we don't fall because the object holds us up. Leaning on God's Spirit, helps us Stand Firm!!!
In conclusion, Paul advises us on "how" to live by the Spirit in Galatians 5:16-25 NIV- So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under (the former) law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
In regards to the sinful nature I emphasized idolatry, drunkenness, orgies and the like. I singled out idolatry because I believe that when we are putting food above God, we are in essence worshiping an idol. We are making it god over our lives, rather than the true God. I also emphasized "the like" part of "drunkenness, orgies and the like." I did that because I believe it is pointing out lack of control over the appetites of the flesh. Any thing that allows the appetites of the flesh to take over, is out of harmony with the Spirit and is a part of our sinful nature.
In the fruits of the Spirit. I emphasized love, joy, peace, patience, faithfulness and self-control. I believe these traits can be better cultivated in getting control over our weight. When we turn towards the Spirit, we will receive help in loving ourselves and others, it will give us the ability to feel joyful and happy with ourselves and toward others, the Spirit will allow us to be at peace with ourselves and with others, it will enable us to have patience with ourselves and with others, the Spirit of God will strengthen our faith in Him, which we need to continuously help us in ALL things. The enormous strength of the Spirit will empower us to master self-control over our bodies, which is what all of us here desperately seek.
I pray that we can all remember to exercise our faith in God when it comes to overcoming our weaknesses and when we do that, we will take advantage of what Christ did for us!!!! We cannot live by our own power to get this done.... we need to lean on the Spirit of God and His power! Only then will we truly be FREE in the way we were intended to be!!!!
Let me show you something that it says in the Bible about overcoming any challenges (body, money, relationships, etc.). If you believe in Christ, then you need to truly understand the power of what he did for you and the power that is available to help you. Please read this next part carefully and ask the Lord to help you internalize it into your heart. I have asked Him to do the same for me. It's a bit long, but I believe it will help you tremendously, if you will read it to the end.
In my last newsletter, I mentioned that Christ came to amend the Law of Moses. What does this mean? It means that the Law was in place to help the people gain a righteousness through these laws. They did that by observing specific practices. By keeping these laws, they were able to approach God & live in His favor. However, the time came for God to send His Son to be the living sacrifice for our sins. This ultimate sacrifice of God's Son was done so that we could approach God willingly and without restriction and receive the power He promised to His heirs. Why do I tell you all of this? Because when we continually lean on our own strength to handle our weaknesses, we negate the point for which Christ came and died for us. We are trying to get ahead by our own righteousness or greatness when it comes to gaining control over our bodies.
It says in Galatians 3:22-25 NIV- But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
What is faith again? Hebrews 11:1 KJV-
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Faith is not living by what we can tangibly see and do ourselves. It comes through believing in something that we can't see or do completely for ourselves.
When we believe in what Christ did for us, we are now free to receive God's inheritance because we are heirs. Children of the Father. Able to approach Him freely and intimately. Before Christ, we couldn't do that.
Galatians 3:26-29 NIV- You are all sons (and daughters) of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Stay with me. I want you to read all of this so that you understand it completely. The Apostle Paul continues explaining this principle in Galatians 4:3-7 NIV- So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, Born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons (and daughters). Because you are sons (and daughters), God sent the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are a son (and daughter), God has made you also an heir. Before you were grafted into "Son-ship" through Christ's sacrifice, you were in bondage to the world and all the things that enslave us in this world, your body being one of them. But now because you are a joint heir with Christ in God's power (His Spirit), you have freedom from the things that oppress you in this world.
The power of His spirit is residing within you to help you.... if you will allow it to!
Paul continues clarifying this principle in Galatians 4:8-9 NIV- Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God- or rather are known by God- how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
That is so big!!! When we don't rely on the power of the Spirit to help us... we are turning back to a much WEAKER approach. That "weaker approach" is leaning on our own efforts to overcome our weaknesses.
Paul continues the teaching in Galatians 5:1 NIV- It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
"Standing Firm" comes across to me as not letting ourselves be knocked down. When we "lean" on something we don't fall because the object holds us up. Leaning on God's Spirit, helps us Stand Firm!!!
In conclusion, Paul advises us on "how" to live by the Spirit in Galatians 5:16-25 NIV- So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under (the former) law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
In regards to the sinful nature I emphasized idolatry, drunkenness, orgies and the like. I singled out idolatry because I believe that when we are putting food above God, we are in essence worshiping an idol. We are making it god over our lives, rather than the true God. I also emphasized "the like" part of "drunkenness, orgies and the like." I did that because I believe it is pointing out lack of control over the appetites of the flesh. Any thing that allows the appetites of the flesh to take over, is out of harmony with the Spirit and is a part of our sinful nature.
In the fruits of the Spirit. I emphasized love, joy, peace, patience, faithfulness and self-control. I believe these traits can be better cultivated in getting control over our weight. When we turn towards the Spirit, we will receive help in loving ourselves and others, it will give us the ability to feel joyful and happy with ourselves and toward others, the Spirit will allow us to be at peace with ourselves and with others, it will enable us to have patience with ourselves and with others, the Spirit of God will strengthen our faith in Him, which we need to continuously help us in ALL things. The enormous strength of the Spirit will empower us to master self-control over our bodies, which is what all of us here desperately seek.
I pray that we can all remember to exercise our faith in God when it comes to overcoming our weaknesses and when we do that, we will take advantage of what Christ did for us!!!! We cannot live by our own power to get this done.... we need to lean on the Spirit of God and His power! Only then will we truly be FREE in the way we were intended to be!!!!
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