Brain drained

My brain is drained and I was having difficulty coming up with any thoughts for today's bible reading/devotional. Not for lack of trying but when you are fatigued and fighting stress, it is hard to be in Christ. Your mind is all over the place - what can I take to get some rest, or energy? (still small voice - HELLO...Did you really just ask that question?) 

I think we all go through these days. Some more frequently than others and some stay stuck on them for weeks.

When we take our eyes off Christ, we become relaxed in our own strength and we fizzle out fast!

Don't rely on your own strength!

I pray that you each had a wonderful day and found peace and strength in God. He is the ultimate healer!

Much love to you all!

Find my rest in thee...

Overwhelmed, wanting to give up, tired of feeling like I am spinning my wheels. Yes, that is where I am today. Mainly because of my health but also because of life in general.
Let me find my rest in YOU, God. Hold me tight, let me breath in Your fragrance! I pray each who read this find comfort and strength in YOU!
Much Love to you all!

Holy Spirit, You are welcome here....

I think that summed it up nicely for the day! Much love to you all!

Inner Peace...

Raise your hand if you have seen the Kung Fu Panda 2 movie. If you did then, "Inner Peace, must find Inner Peace." sounds familiar. It may also sound familiar even if you haven't.
In the world, we are constantly seeking INNER PEACE from the turmoil of every day stress that we allow to overwhelm our souls.
It can be as simple as spilling our morning coffee down the front of our last clean white dress shirt that we NEEDED for that business meeting to something as BIG (at least by our measurements) as a 3 car pile up in the North bound lanes causing all the South bound lanes to gawk and cause another pile up as well as numerous wrecks, fender benders, and many late to work.  I am not saying these things are not time consuming but maybe our time is not being consumed in a way that we want it to be consumed.
I pray that you seek God when you seek Inner Peace! Only HE is able to release you from the stress that haunts you. I pray that you throw on some brakes and coast in His Love!
Much Love to YOU all!

Without Rival by Lisa Bevere

This is a bible study my local bible journaling group Scribbling Scripture Sisters has started. I am sure there are many others out there who have started it as well.

I have been re-reading Chapter 1 - An Identity Without Rival this morning. I have been struggling with attacks of rivalry. Rivalry between friends, between family, between time.

This passage has drawn me back time and again:

It is hard to escape the messages and messengers that tell us we are not good enough, young enough, smart enough, fast enough, and rich enough. We are bombarded in the hope that we will shrink to their expectations. It is only human nature that we would want to deflect this incessant bullying that implies we are never enough. When this harassment reaches a critical point, some will yield by conforming and copying, while others will rebel as they sling back accusations of their own. We judge when we feel judged. We shame when we feel shame. We hate when we dislike ourselves. When we’ve been bankrupted, it is not long before we want to rob others. It is a cycle in which everyone loses and nobody wins. But what if the words of Paul were true?

But godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Tim. 6:6)

Godliness is the ability to adopt God’s vantage point. This means just as we acknowledge how he sees others, we embrace how he sees us. Contentment and being truly comfortable in your own skin won’t breed complacency; they will release creativity! Turn away from all the detractors and distractions. He has his eyes on us so we can lift our eyes to him. What then? Rather than compete for what was never meant for you . . . you would have the energy to discover what is yours. I pray this book brings clarity to what the unwholesome everyday muddies. Rather than striving to win a competition that gains you nothing, I want you positioned to win the war. There is a very real battle going on for the strength of your soul. It is time you took your place in this world. Let’s expose the lies and distractions and find out who you really are.

 Lisa Bevere, Without Rival Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group, © 2016. 

Link to Lisa Bevere

This is how I feel  - being shamed by others, hating because I hate myself, judging others because of years of being judged. Bankrupt due to these feelings sucking out the JOY and PEACE of God!

Enter His gates with THANKSGIVING - for all our trials and sufferings! Do not be afraid to sit silently in HIS presence while you pray about what roads to travel and which words to use. It may drive some people crazy - nuts with WAITING but when you WAIT upon the LORD, your actions will be better directed.
I pray for forgiveness of any wrong doings. I pray that God continues to show me how my uniqueness is amazing and awesome. I pray God opens the eyes and ears of those who need to hear HIS words. I pray God continues to allow me to stay TRANSPARENT to all and gives me a big enough GRACE cape to wrap each boo-boo with after I have cried from the pain I have caused.
I want to see others as YOU see them God. Through your eyes of GRACE and MERCY!
Let me shine for all to see this GRACE and MERCY YOU have given me. Shine YOUR strength and comfort for those who are just as overwhelmed, under encouraged, and frightened!
SHINE YOUR LOVE!
Much love to you all!

FLAMES

In The Light by DC Talks

I keep trying to find a life

On my own, apart from You
I am the king of excuses
I've got one for every selfish thing I do 

What's going on inside of me?
I despise my own behavior
This only serves to confirm my suspicions
That I'm still a man in need of a Savior 

[chorus]
I wanna be in the Light
As You are in the Light
I wanna shine like the stars in the heavens
Oh, Lord be my Light and be my salvation
Cause all I want is to be in the Light
All I want is to be in the Light 

The disease of self runs through my blood
It's a cancer fatal to my soul
Every attempt on my behalf has failed
To bring this sickness under control 

Tell me, what's going on inside of me?
I despise my own behavior
This only serves to confirm my suspicions
That I'm still a man in need of a Savior 

I want to be a light. I want to burn bright. I want to walk by FAITH. Burn my doubt GOD!

I pray that you never lose Faith and Hope. Even though you find excuses, I pray they are shattered by God and HE frees your chains to let HIS love BURN through you!

I pray that no matter what you face, you continue to chase what is real and true!

Thank you Beautiful MERCIFUL Father for all you have bestowed upon me and I pray YOU place a hedge of protection, healing, strength and comfort around all who read this today. 

You are forever AMAZING and worthy of our praise!

AMEN!

Much love to you all!

Not becoming weary from doing good.

How often do we see that? Someone who doesn't seem to have God in their life at all (yes, by our judging heart and even when we try not to, we do judge.) getting away with everything and "winning". The following examples are seen on tv, in news, and in movies or on a show - they are not people I know personally.

Those people with money winning another lottery drawing. Those people who don't follow the rules getting the promote and raise. The one who cheats on their spouse. The one who steals. The one who murders. 

Yes, the examples got worse as my list grew. But it is portrayed that those who aren't doing good in the Lord's eyes are the ones who are successful while it is portrayed those who follow God as closely as we each can (each of our journeys are different - DO NOT COMPARE).
Let me repeat that - DO NOT COMPARE your relationship, and journey with your neighbor. You are in a different season of life.

Praying for you today that God's Love is amazingly plentiful in your life and shines through the darkness.
Love you all!