Category: Uncategorized

We define ourselves by what we can and can’t do. We don’t dare dream or think we could go beyond what we have done in the past. Our limited human minds and resources keep us trapped in our own safe space, the place we know and where we are welcome, our comfort zone!

We confine ourselves to what we’ve known and have done before. Fear keeps us from trying new things, locked up in our own minds, imprisoned by wrongful thoughts of doubt, far away from our imagination. Fear of failing, fear of flying or even trying. We become locked out of what we could know or be if we dared to step out in faith. Faith only requires one small step at a time, as small as a mustard seed, then mountains would move and we could be freed from our human limitations.

He refines us, preparing us to do what we could never do on our own. He takes us beyond ourselves into the realm of the unknown. There we must rely on total abandonment of ourselves so that we might enter the place of great faith, trust and true happiness. Happy are those who are poor in spirit, happy are the meek, happy are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled. God will pour out His Spirit on the one who endures His refining fire.

We incline ourselves to hear what He’s saying and by faith we receive all that He has promised to do in those, who by faith, receive His word, His righteousness, His promises. Because He speaks a better word than what we attempt to define ourselves by and confine ourselves to!

Define
Confine
Refine
Incline

All words of action. There’s a better way, a better course of action. Put Him first; His Kingdom and His Righteousness and everything else will follow !

You get to choose every day

Psalms 119:150 NKJV
[150] They draw near who follow after wickedness; They are far from Your law.

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.119.150.NKJV

Friends of this world want you to join them. You already live among them, so why not be friends with this world as they are. This world and its citizens are following after wickedness and folly, which is a lack of wisdom, judgement or common sense, because they are far from God’s laws; His words, decrees, statutes, commandments, precepts ,testimonies, instructions, etc.

Friends of this world are always “drawing near” to entice and seduce you. You live in the world and can’t escape it, but God is always near, closer than anyone in this world, even the god of this world, Satan. They can draw near on the outside perimeter of your heart, mind, soul and strength, but they cannot enter in.

Psalms 119:151 NKJV
[151] You are near, O Lord, And all Your commandments are truth.

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.119.151.NKJV

God your Creator, who made you in His image, dwells inside, in your heart, at the core of your being. He stands at the door of your heart, knocking. When you open up and let Him in, His word will become real and personal to you. You will have that intimate, one on one connection with the living God and His power that lives in those who believe on His name and receive Him as Lord and Savior and King of their heart.

As “they” draw near, God is already near, ready to help you stand up and stand firm, steadfast and immovable. When they draw near to entice you to join them, stay close to God. When His word is hidden in your heart, you will not so easily be tempted to leave the narrow path for the one that is wide and spacious, the one “they” are all following.

Matthew 7:13-14 NLT
[13]  “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. [14] But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.7.13-14.NLT

Everyone in the world, who is a friend of the world, is on this wide and spacious path. You can either run with them and receive whatever they receive, or stick to the narrow path that God has laid out for you; that place inside of your heart where you meet with God every day; the core of your being, the secret place where the Most High dwells. This narrow path only has room for you and God.

When God is near (on the inside of your heart) His commandments will ring true. You will see the way he has mapped out for you. God is nearer than you think. Live free from the traps of this world and all of its friends. Live by His word, which is the truth that sets you free!

James 4:4-6 NLT
[4] You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. [5] Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. [6] And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

https://bible.com/bible/116/jas.4.4-6.NLT

Proverbs 18:10 NKJV
[10] The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. https://bible.com/bible/114/pro.18.10.NKJV

‭‭Psalm 18:1-3 ESV‬‬
[1] I love you, O Lord, my strength. [2] The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. [3] I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.18.1.ESV

2 Samuel 22:2-4 NLT
[2] He sang: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; [3] my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence. [4] I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.

https://bible.com/bible/116/2sa.22.2-4.NLTx

When I’m confronted with my own sin and iniquity, I’m reminded of who my greatest enemy really is; it’s me! I’m the one who stands in my own way of God’s blessings. Satan knows my weaknesses and will use them to deceive me and trip me up, but I’m the one who chooses to go that way.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but it ends in death (Proverbs 14:12)

The enemy’s forces are no match for the “power of God unto salvation.” That power is the gospel; the good news of a risen Savior. We have no need to be ashamed of the gospel which is God’s saving power within each believer. Repent and believe, that’s what is asked of every person. (Romans 1:16)

The power of God is a strong tower. The righteous (those who have been made right with God through the cross, as they have received Christ and have believed in His name).:

His name is so magnificent and powerful it cannot be described by the Psalmist in just one word. In Psalm 18:1-3 (and other places in the Bible) David uses several words to fortify and accentuate what he is trying to convey. The power of God to save those who call upon His name transcends our understanding and comprehension.

David has entered a deep place of worship and prayer. God is speaking to him in his heart, at the core of his heart, the secret place where the Most High God truly desires to be known. This is the place where we run to God

He’s not just in the heavens, but can and will be in your heart if you open it up to Him.

Let Him be your strong tower, your fortress, your rock, your strength, your refuge and deliver, your Comfortor. In times of great temptations, trials, distress, the storms of life. He will be the place you can run to for safety and protection.

When God speaks into your life, you need not say a word. He goes before you and prepares your way. The opposing forces will get it and flee!

Trust Him.

Lean on Him

Why do I keep on sinning when I really don’t want to?

Psalms 119:143 NKJV
[143] Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, Yet Your commandments are my delights.

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.119.143.NKJV

Psalms 119:24 NLT
[24] Your laws please me; they give me wise advice.

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.119.24.NLT

Romans 7:21-23 NLT
[21] I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. [22] I love God’s law with all my heart. [23] But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.

https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.7.21-23.NLT

My spiritman is at war with my sinnerman. This two sided dilemma, known as our conscience, exists within the heart and mind of every person. There’s this desire to do what is good and right, yet we go on doing the very things we know to be wrong and sinful.

When God’s word meets this ongoing war we’re hit with the Truth. But we can receive it or reject it. We cannot reject the truth of God’s word in the flesh, aka the natural mind. Only in the power of His Spirit can we reject the temptations that come from our sinful human nature; the flesh.

We’re told by Paul in Romans and other Epistles that we’re not wrestling with flesh and blood (not even our own) but with principalities and spiritual forces of wickedness that are at war within us. We’re not able to resist our fleshly lusts and desires within our flesh . The old sinful human nature wants what it wants, but we don’t have to give it what it wants, because we who are born of the Spirit are no longer sinners enslaved to our flesh.

We belong to a new taskmaster, which is Christ the Lord. He bought us at a great price, His own flesh, nailed to the cross, crucifying the flesh with its sinful nature. Now we have a choice every day; walk in the old man with its sinful nature or put on the new man created in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
[17] This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.5.17.NLT

In Christ, all things are made new. The old person with its sinful passions and desires has been put to death. However, that inherited sinful nature is still lingering inside of me, pulling my heart, mind, soul, and strength back to what it wants. The old man wants nothing to do with the new man in Christ, with the Holy Spirit as our Helper and Comforter.

So every day I have the same choice. Put on Christ and walk in freedom and victory, or stay in the flesh. That’s exactly what happens when we fail to put on Christ, our new man, our Spiritman. We’re left with the Sinnerman!

The Spiritman has armor to put on and protect him, hiding him in the shadow of God’s wings. The Sinnerman is left to his own, limited, human resources.

The Spiritman is filled with light, enabled to see the path God has laid out for them; a path of peace, righteousness and joy.

Sinnerman is filled with darkness, where there is no clear path, only stumbling, chaos, strife and misery. This is the source of anxiety, fear, anger, guilt and shame and everything that leads to destruction .

Will you put on the Spiritman today, or continue to walk in the Sinnerman? You don’t have to put on the Sinnerman because he’s already there, ready and waiting to fulfill your every lust and desire

Your ideas, your imagination, your plans are too small.

Let go of what you know. The vision and plan God has for you is beyond your understanding and comprehension.

Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV
[20]  Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, [21] to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

https://bible.com/bible/59/eph.3.20-21.ESV

His plan and purpose for me is bigger than me and is rooted in His love, which is beyond measurable dimensions.  Yet we can know His love, in all of its fullness, in our hearts, at the CORE of our being. (Ephesians 3:17-19)

If faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains (Matthew 17:20) imagine what he can do through you as you receive His word by faith.

For the most part, the world doesn’t get this concept. But we can each do our part.

Loving my neighbor as myself includes being non judgemental, which means not condemning others.

There is a form or facet of judging others, which is exercising wisdom, discernment and discretion. If you know of someone’s reputation and character as they have displayed, it’s actually acceptable to not want to associate with them.

Condemning others is to place  final judgement upon them, based on their words and actions. Jesus said he did not come to condemn anyone, but that they might be saved through Him.

The other side of the coin, so to speak, in judging others is “lest ye be judged.” In the same measure I use in judging others, it will be measured back to me.

Romans 2:1 NLT
[1] You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things.

https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.2.1.NLT

Romans 8:1, 38-39 NLT
[1] So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus….
[38] And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. [39] No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.8.1-39.NLT

Ephesians 6:14 NLT
[14] Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.

https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.6.14.NLT

When I think of the belt of truth, the practical use of a belt comes to mind, which is to hold my pants up.

To be “caught with your pants down” is an idiom meaning to be caught in a lie or an embarrassing position.

The belt of truth holds my pants up, while at the same time, holding me to the truth about myself, my life and how I live it. I can walk in truth,which is honestly, integrity, trustworthiness, a man of my word, etc. or I can walk the opposite way, which is foolishness and folly, walking in the manners and customs of this world. Being a friend of the world

James 4:4 NLT
[4] You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.

https://bible.com/bible/116/jas.4.4.NLT

The belt of Truth holds my loins together as I walk in the Kingdom of God daily. I cannot escape this world physically before I die, but I can walk as a Kingdom citizen, having my loins girded with the belt of Truth.

The belt of truth holds the armor of God’s righteousness in place. Having my loins girded means holding my heart, mind, soul and strength together in honor and integrity and in the truth of God’s word.

Sexual immorality is the outcome of walking about with my loins ungirded, open to anything that my flesh desires. Proverbs often characterizes foolishness and folly as a seductress, whore or promiscuous woman.

The belt of Truth brings Christ into the mix, because He is the Truth (John 14:6). In Him we have freedom, forgiveness and victory over sin and death. I no longer have to obey my flesh with its demands, which are guided by the lust of my eyes, lust of my flesh and the pride of life.

Pride of life equals Edging God Out: EGO!

Having my loins girded with the belt of Truth pushes my pride and ego aside, giving Christ, His Kingdom, and His righteousness first priority, the front and center focus of my life; heart, mind, soul, and strength.

Having my loins girded with the belt of Truth keeps from the immoral woman, the seductress of foolishness and folly that so often leads the world astray, both literally, as men practice sexual immorality of all kinds, as well as figuratively, as individuals chase after worldliness and the false promises of this world.

The belt of Truth: walking in honor, integrity and transparency. I am who and what you see. There’s no difference or shadow of turning. Walking in Christ, walking as a citizen of His Kingdom, walking in His word and His truth

You will know the truth and the truth will set you free!

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood!

III John 1:11 NKJV
[11] Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.
https://bible.com/bible/114/3jn.1.11.NKJV

Imitate: to behave in a similar way to someone or something else, or to copy the speech or behavior, etc. of someone or something.

Psalms 37:27 NLT
[27] Turn from evil and do good, and you will live in the land forever.

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.37.27.NLT

Psalms 34:14 NLT
[14] Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.34.14.NLT

1 John 3:7-10 NLT
[7] Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. [8] But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. [9] Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God. [10] So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.

https://bible.com/bible/116/1jn.3.7-10.NLT

Isaiah 1:16-18 NLT
[16] Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. [17] Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. [18] “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.

https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.1.16-18.NLT

We are able to live a life of pursuing what is good and right because Christ died for the sins of the world. We once imitated the behaviors, customs and attitudes of this world because that was what our sinful nature inherited through Adam. But when Christ came and took on flesh and became the propitiation for our sin (our atoning sacrifice) he nailed our sin to the cross, returning to Man what was lost through Adam. He redeemed us so that we might become children of God. And because we are now children of God; adopted into the family of God, we no longer have to live as sons of the devil. We’ve inherited a new nature, born again of the Holy Spirit. We now have the Spirit of God living in us; those who have received Christ as Lord and Savior.

Our sins were like scarlet but have been made white as snow. Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood!

Psalms 119:129-136 NLT
[129] Your laws are wonderful. No wonder I obey them! [130] The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand. [131] I pant with expectation, longing for your commands. [132] Come and show me your mercy, as you do for all who love your name.

[133] Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.

[134] Ransom me from the oppression of evil people; then I can obey your commandments. [135] Look upon me with love; teach me your decrees. [136] Rivers of tears gush from my eyes because people disobey your instructions.

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.119.129-136.NLT

The heart of the Psalmist is the produce of a life and heart surrendered to God. We’re already born to live as everyone else in this world, but born again of the Spirit so that we might put that sinner to death, nailing to the cross every day as we deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Christ

The Lord is our Peace

We have peace with God through Jesus Christ

Romans 5:1-2 NLT
[1] Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. [2] Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.5.1-2.NLT

He is our Peace having reconciled us to God

Ephesians 2:14-18 NKJV
[14] For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, [15] having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, [16] and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. [17] And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. [18] For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

https://bible.com/bible/114/eph.2.14-18.NKJV

The peace of God has separated us from our old sinful nature, which was at enmity with God, and has reconciled us to Him. While we were still sinners and enemies of God, Christ reconciled us to God through the cross.

II Corinthians 5:17-21 NKJV
[17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. [18] Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, [19] that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. [20] Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. [21] For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
https://bible.com/bible/114/2co.5.17-21.NKJV

The peace of God is the good news; that God has reconciled the world to Himself through Jesus Christ. When an angel appeared to the shepherds in the field, announcing the birth of the Savior, they brought “good tidings of great joy”, which was the birth of the Savior, Christ the Lord

Luke 2:9-11 NLT
[9] Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, [10] but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. [11] The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!

https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.2.9-11.NLT

Acts 10:36 ESV
[36] As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),

https://bible.com/bible/59/act.10.36.ESV

His peace gives us joy and hope. Joy in the place sadness and grief, hope in the place of darkness and despair.

Romans 15:13 NLT
[13] I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.15.13.NLT

Peace = reconciliation with God and deliverance from internal chaos and strife. Peace with God is the absence of fear brought by the guilt and shame of our iniquity and sins.

God’s peace is a reuniting of enemies or opposing forces. They are no longer at odds with one another.

His peace, which surpasses all understanding, guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, as we pray to Him, bringing all of our anxieties and fears before Him, and as we bring to Him all our prayers, supplications and intentions, with thanksgiving

https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.2.9-11.NLT

(Philippians 4:6&7)

My healing journey is a part of my life’s journey. My left below knee amputation is forever incorporated with my story and my testimony. It’s a part of my “thorn in the flesh” a messenger of Satan to keep me grounded and from boasting about my accomplishments. I cannot take credit for what God alone, through His grace and mercy has done in my life. When others prayed for me, I was filled with strength and encouragement. My Helper and Comforter came along side of me and lifted me up.

Making the decision to cut off my lower left leg and foot was very hard, perhaps the most difficult personal health decision I’ve ever had to consider. But when I was faced with the reality of infection after infection (four in total) eating away more and more of my inner foot along with the potential of spreading up into my ankle and leg; MRSA and sepsis were very real possibilities, potentially spreading into my bloodstream, my heart, kidneys, etc. Yeah, a jaw dropping, eye opening experience for sure. These are the times and moments that my faith led me through.

I can do all things through Him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13)