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Sometimes God has to break us of our own will in order to receive His will. It takes much surrendering and prayer and even some inner pain and turmoil. But trust Him in the process. He must increase, I must decrease.  That’s painful to bear sometimes 😔

You might never understand the why’s and how’s of God’s will and timing, but when it’s His will, nothing can stop it. If it’s not His will, nothing you do will make it so. Sometimes it’s hard to accept His will, or something that turns out not to be His will. But know that He will continue to guide your path and make it straight before you. Keep looking to the light and he will show you the way!

Sometimes a door will open to what seems to be an opportunity, but it quickly closes. I’m a firm believer in God’s will and timing, and in His great plan and purpose for my life (Jeremiah 29:11). Perhaps this brief opportunity was just that, for a time and a season. But continue to trust Him as His plans continue to unfold. God always has your good and best interest at heart.

Dwelling on my past isn’t always thinking about the bad things I’ve done or my past sins and failures. Dwelling on my past can also mean remembering the good times, when everything was going well and I was experiencing a period of success that had created great memories. Perhaps even thinking or wishing I could go back there and relive those positive moments. But our past is our past for a reason, for a time and a season.

In order to keep moving forward in my journey, my race, it’s important to be focused on the here and now and living in the moment. Having good experiences and positive memories is great, but dwelling on that aspect of my past can keep my mind occupied and leave me day dreaming and not focused on this moment in time that is right before me.
Enjoy and cherish your beautiful moments in life, but move on! 💪👊💯😘🙏❤️😉

Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
[5] Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. [6] Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.3.5-6.NLT

When I’m knocking on a certain door and it’s just not opening to me, perhaps I need to accept that and move on. There are other opportunities awaiting me if I will continue to trust and obey the Lord.

A part of trusting in the Lord with all of my heart is letting go of my own understanding, instead of trying to wrap my mind around my ways and the path He has laid before me. God knows what He is doing. He will guide my path and my ways.

I don’t need to know the whole plan, or even the next part beyond today. Even the moment by moment details can be received by faith, knowing that if I’m truly seeking His will and desiring the follow Him, He will never lead me astray. He will always go before me and watch my back.

As Abraham trusted God and obeyed God in his journey, so I can learn to trust Him to lead me, each step of the way. I don’t need to know the destination of my journey. All I need to do is continue stepping out in faith, each and every step and turn. God made a promise to Abraham and He makes the same promise to each of us, which is to guide and direct our path, each and every day, as we lean upon Him

every person has a soul and a spirit.

Every living creature has a soul, but only mankind is made in the image of God (Genesis 1, with the Spirit of the living God (the image of God) residing within. The imprint of God on every person is His image, His Spirit.

Hebrews 4:12 NLT
[12] For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

https://bible.com/bible/116/heb.4.12.NLT (Hebrews 4:12)

Psalms 119:25-32 NKJV
[25] My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word. [26] I have declared my ways, and You answered me; Teach me Your statutes. [27] Make me understand the way of Your precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.

[28] My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word. [29] Remove from me the way of lying, And grant me Your law graciously. [30] I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me. [31] I cling to Your testimonies; O Lord, do not put me to shame! [32] I will run the course of Your commandments, For You shall enlarge my heart.

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.119.25-32.NKJV

My soul clings to the dust
Psalms 44:25-26 NKJV
[25] For our soul is bowed down to the dust; Our body clings to the ground.

Revive me according to your word

[26] Arise for our help, And redeem us for Your mercies’ sake.

Psalms 143:11-12 NLT
[11] For the glory of your name, O Lord, preserve my life. Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress. [12] In your unfailing love, silence all my enemies and destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.143.11-12.NLT

Revive, redeem, preserve

Every day my life draws closer to the grave. My soul, which is my life force, will one day come to and end on this earth. Every living soul has a birth and a death; “a time to be born and a time to die” (Ecclesiastes 3:2).

The living power of God’s word revives me in this life daily, as I look to Him, the author and finisher of life; my Beginning and my End, my Alpha and my Omega.

The living power of His word breathes eternal life into my soul and revives my spirit man day after day, as each new day begins.

He transforms and renews my mind and my spirit daily as I surrender to Him (Romans 12:1-2)

My soul clings to the dust from which I was made, and will one day return; ashes to ashes dust to dust.

My soul melts from heaviness

I don’t physically die every day, but my soul can be grow faint and “melt from heaviness (grief).”

Dwelling on grief and grievances. Grief is a spirit of heaviness, depression, sadness caused by loss;

Of life when someone close to us passes from this life.

One can grieve over the loss of a job, a friendship or relationship, bankruptcy or the loss of financial means
I grieved over the loss of my lower leg and foot through left below knee amputation.

We can dwell on grievances, which are ill or negative feelings towards myself and my past failures and setbacks, as well as with others who have caused me harm or foul through sinful thoughts, words and or actions. Many times people do things unintentionally. We can go through these periods of harboring feelings of anger, bitterness and resentment as we hold onto these past hurts, aka dwelling on the past

Strengthen me according to your word

The living power of God’s word strengthens me on the inside, where grief and grievances, feelings of being downtrodden and disrespected, trampled on, etc have their birth and can fester and grow, leaving us with a “spirit of heaviness”

God’s word can replace the “way of lying” when we chose the “way of truth and to walk in His truth. His commands, testimonies, precepts, statutes, law, judgements, etc revive me and strengthen my soul. He strengthens me according to His word. I am not put to shame. I am able to run the course set before me for he enlarges my heart, allowing and enabling me to forgive others freely, extending His grace, by which I stand.

Psalms 119:17-24 NKJV

GIMEL
[17] Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word.
[18] Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law.
[19] I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me.
[20] My soul breaks with longing For Your judgments at all times.
[21] You rebuke the proud—the cursed, Who stray from Your commandments.
[22] Remove from me reproach and contempt, For I have kept Your testimonies.
[23] Princes also sit and speak against me, But Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
[24] Your testimonies also are my delight And my counselors.

God has dealt bountifully with His servants; those who live to love and serve Him, by loving and serving others.

Bountifully; abundantly, richly. There is a great inner harvest within the spirit of those who love God and desire to keep His word and obey His commandments. There is the fruit of the Spirit that flourishes in the heart of the one who is surrendered to the Lord daily, so that God may prosper in and through them and advance His kingdom, “on earth as, it is in heaven.”

This is how Kingdom citizens live. For we are not of this world. We live to love and serve Him. We live in the world, but this world is not our home. We are merely sojourners passing through.

He opens my eyes so that I may behold wondrous things out of his law. His word; laws, commandments, testimonies, statutes, decrees, are my counselors. Through His word he gives me great advice, strength and wisdom for daily living 💪 👊 🙏 ❤️

I’m a firm believer in this biblical principle: everything happens for a reason, for a time and a season. As one season comes to a close, another opens. Trust God in the process. He knows  where he is leading you to, and when you are to arrive at your next door, destination, season, or chapter.

Hebrews chapter 11 tells us that Abraham obeyed God by leaving his home, along with his family, and went out not knowing where he was going. He simply trusted in God, who gave him the vision and the promise to guide him through that vision.  The old saying, “if God brings you to it, He’ll bring you through” holds true. Trust Him especially when it’s uncertain what the next step is. He’ll let you know when you arrive. He’ll let you know when a door is open or when it’s closing. Let go of control; of trying to understand and comprehend His will.

You don’t need to worry about why this or that is happening now, or what will happen next. God goes before you, he’s got your back!

Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV
[1] To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:

https://bible.com/bible/114/ecc.3.1.NKJV

When God’s word is hidden in your heart, the words on your lips will be His word; pure, helpful and uplifting to those around you. Your words won’t be idle words.

Psalms 119:9-16 NKJV
[9] How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. [10] With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! [11] Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. [12] Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes. [13] With my lips I have declared All the judgments of Your mouth. [14] I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. [15] I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways. [16] I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.119.9-16.NKJV


I will take heed according to His word;

Take heed: listen intently, put into practice.

I will hide your word in my heart!

I will meditate on and contemplate Your word and Your ways; your commandments, precepts, statutes, testimonies and judgements

I will not forget Your word

Proverbs 30:5 NLT
[5] Every word of God proves true (tested, refined, found pure). He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.

Proverbs 30:5 ESV
[5]  Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Proverbs 30:5 NKJV
[5] Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.

Proverbs 30:5-6 MSG
[5-6] The believer replied, “Every promise of God proves true; he protects everyone who runs to him for help. So don’t second-guess him; he might take you to task and show up your lies.”

God’s word is His promise. There was a time when a man’s word meant something (I give you my word). It carried weight. When one gave his word to another, it was counted as a promise. Integrity is being a man of your word. God’s word is His promise. His word proves true. He’s trustworthy. He is pure.

We are instructed in Proverbs 30:5&6 to trust in His word and not add to or second guess His word (his promises to us).

When we meditate on and take heed according to His word, as written in the scriptures, He hides His word in our hearts, and the living power of his word keeps us and protects us. He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. So lift up the shield of faith. The battle for your heart, mind, soul and strength belongs to Him. Put on the full armor of God daily and walk in the Spirit. Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him. Offer your body as living sacrifice, which is your reasonable act of worship, the kind of worship he prefers and accepts. Be filled with and walk in the Spirit and you will not carry out the works of your flesh. The lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and the pride of life (ego) will be kept in check!

Instead of edging God out, you’ll be drawing closer to Him and by His word, which is His promise, he will guide you in everyday life.

Blessed are those who walk in, seek, and keep God’s word; His laws, commandments, testimonies, precepts, statutes, righteous judgements, etc

Those who actively and diligently pursue God and His ways will not be led astray. They will remain in His word, on His path. They will find their way through the daily course of life.

Psalm 119 is a meditation on the excellencies and living power of God’s word, to keep those who seek Him diligently with all of their heart.

Psalms 119:1-8 NKJV
[1] Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the Lord! [2] Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart! [3] They also do no iniquity; They walk in His ways. [4] You have commanded us To keep Your precepts diligently. [5] Oh, that my ways were directed To keep Your statutes! [6] Then I would not be ashamed, When I look into all Your commandments. [7] I will praise You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments. [8] I will keep Your statutes; Oh, do not forsake me utterly!

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.119.1-8.NKJV

Repent: confess and forsake your sin; confess and turn away from your sin. Continue in your sins no more, or something worse will come upon you.

Believe: with your whole heart that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, and that no one can come to the Father except through him.

Proverbs 28:13 NKJV
[13] He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

Proverbs 28:13 NLT
[13] People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

Proverbs 28:13 MSG
[13] You can’t whitewash your sins and get by with it; you find mercy by admitting and leaving them.

Repent and believe!

Confession of sins is good and necessary, but repentance is when I purposely and intently turn away from my sin and continue in it no longer. I’m turning away by turning towards God. Repenting is just that, turning away from my sinful nature and towards God in holy surrender.

This is precisely what Jesus means when he says, “those who would come after me must deny themselves, take up their cross daily and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)

Luke 9:23 NLT
[23] Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.

https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.9.23.NLT

Psalms 32:3-5 NLT
[3] When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. [4] Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.   

Interlude

[5] Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.
Interlude

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.32.3-5.NLT

1 John 1:8-10 NLT
[8] If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. [9] But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. [10] If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.

https://bible.com/bible/116/1jn.1.8-10.NLT

Repenting includes confessing our sin, but repentance is a daily activity, an intentional decision in my heart and mind to turn away from my lusts and desires; the lust of my flesh, the lust of my eyes, and the pride of life.

Jesus was tempted in every way we, as mortal men are tempted, yet without sin, so that He would be qualified to lead us away from sin and temptation and to deliver us from evil. (As we so often pray in the Lord’s prayer)

When I repent, I’m recognizing my inability to escape my sinful nature by my own willpower and human wit. I’m admitting that I’m a sinner, guilty of sin, that I’m truly sorry for my sinful thoughts, words and actions. I’m admitting that I’m a sinner “saved by grace through faith, that it’s not of my own works, but a free gift from God. In this way I’m unable to boast in my own flesh or in my own efforts.(Ephesians 2:8&9).

As I continue on this road of repentance, Jesus is making me more and more like Him. Through the Holy Spirit, He’s renewing my mind daily, as surrender to Him. This is what it means to be holy and to seek His holiness.

1 Peter 1:14-16 NLT
[14] So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. [15] But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. [16] For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”

https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.1.14-16.NLT

Listening to Patrick Mahomes interview following the Kansas City Chiefs win last night over Buffalo bills, and how he gave all glory to God before anything else came out of his mouth was refreshing to hear. We don’t often hear such words from celebrities and leaders.

Who gets the glory and praise when you’re doing well and your life is going great? When God answers prayer, will you boast in God’s grace and mercy or will you pat yourself on the back and declare to yourself and others,  “look what I’ve done. Look what I’ve accomplished?”

When others see how well you’re doing and compliment you, will you give God the glory through humility and thanksgiving, or will you allow pride and ego to take over and

Edge
God
Out

Proverbs 27:21 NLT
[21] Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but a person is tested by being praised.

https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.27.21.NLT

Proverbs 27:21 NKJV
[21] The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, And a man is valued by what others say of him.

https://bible.com/bible/114/pro.27.21.NKJV

Proverbs 27:21 ESV
[21]  The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise.

https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.27.21.ESV

Proverbs 17:3
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the hearts. (Proverbs.17:3 nkjv)