Tag Archive for: Jesus Calling

Shine Like Stars

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“Do not be afraid to be different from other people. The path I have called you to travel is exquisitely right for you. The more closely you follow My leading, the more fully I can develop your gifts. To follow Me wholeheartedly, you must relinquish your desire to please other people. However, your closeness to Me will bless others by enabling you to shine brightly in this dark world,” Jesus Calling.

 So that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe—Philippians 2:15.

Are you afraid to be different than other people? I would have to admit that sometimes I am; other times, I don’t have that problem at all. I do wish that I’d fall into the last category more often. When I read the quotes in this post, I understand them to say that being different just for the sake of being different is not entirely what God intended either.

I suspect that He would have us be different in that we no longer follow the selfish goals and desires of this world including addictions to career, food and drink, fashions, etc., Purposeful forsaking those worldly pursuits in order to follow after purity and His will for our life. This might mean less time with eyes and mind focused on electronic devices and more quality time being renewed and not conforming to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will,

I like the idea of shining brightly in this dark world and shining like a star in the universe. Someone to point others to the True North and bright and morning star. Hope. Renewal. Truth, honesty, justice, lovely praise and virtue.

Shall we strive together to be and model those good behavior patterns, relinquishing the need to people-please, so our gifts can be more fully developed? I’m in, are you?

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Where is your gaze fixed?

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Instead of trying to “fix” yourself, fix your gaze on Me, the Lover of your soul. Rather than using your energy to judge yourself, redirect it to praising Me. Remember that I see you clothed in My righteousness, radiant in My perfect Love. (Jesus Calling)

The song, He is Mighty to Save by Hillsong United continued to come to my friend’s mind as we navigated through and beyond yesterday’s challenges together.

Horizon Display

Savior, He can move the mountains

My God is mighty to save

Forever, author of Salvation

He rose and conquered the grave.

Jesus conquered the grave.

Yesterday was an amazing day all the way around. An event which my husband and I + family and friends had been preparing for, praying over, sweating about and eventually turned over to Him finally came to completion. We are overwhelmed, thankful, and still amazed at the outcome! To top it all off, God displayed His handiwork across the horizon in the evening skies.

When was the last time you doubted, second-guessed God and His timing? I should know better since He’s proved over and over again that He is faithful and just. His timing is perfect even though I sometimes long for a speedier response. When will I learn that His thoughts are not my thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord? “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Lord, I want to fix my eyes on You; not on me. The fact that You see me clothed in Your righteousness, radiant in Your perfect Love is tough for me to even comprehend. Yet, You said it and I believe it! I praise You and thank you this day and how You showed Your faithfulness.

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Teachable Spirit

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‘Seek My face with a teachable spirit. Come into My presence with thanksgiving, desiring to be transformed’—Jesus Calling. Sarah Young mentions further, “I want you to be all Mine … I gave everything for you … hold back nothing from Me.”   Book Cover Template Life is Good v2

I wonder just how much I hold back. He desires all of me, but oftentimes I cling to my rights, my will, my desires. Do you find yourself doing the same? When I hold back little things such as choices and priorities, I lose on a much larger scale. Reminds me of a favorite quote of mine, Let go and let God.

Now that my first book is FINALLY out there, can I ease up? I’m told no by the experts. Even though the work was long and sometimes difficult, my journey (or at least the next chapter) has just begun. Now comes the marketing and promotional end of publishing: book signings, talks, interviews (check out interview with Jan Holst from MLive) , social media posts, etc.,

I am so very thankful for all my angel helpers along the way, but I still cannot do this alone. Engaging others will serve to further a mission and purpose for writing my grace story. So I now seek His face with a teachable spirit. Not a spirit of knowing-it-all or pretending to have my life all together. Such is the contrary! I need my Heavenly Father and a team EVEN MORE NOW. Transform me into a useful vessel. Useful for Your service, Your plan, and purpose. Keep me grounded in Scripture by sharing my grace story and showing others that Life is truly Good, Fragile, and Precious!     

  • What ways can you exhibit a teachable spirit?
  • Is there some area of your life you are holding back from God? If so, name it.
  • Can you place three items on your thankful list today?

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Check your Thankful Spirit

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“Be on the lookout for what I am doing in your life. Worship Me by living close to Me, thanking Me in all circumstances,”—Jesus Calling.

*extra credit: Read 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

  •  Just how close are you living to God? Or, are you satisfied with a long-distance relationship?
  • How’s your thankful spirit? What things/people in your life are you thankful for? Consider verbalizing that back to God and to that person(s).

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Keep in touch

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God, I hear Your still small voice calling out, “Where are you? Where have you been? Don’t you realize you need me?” Oh, I need You, yes I need You—every hour I need You!

Liberty holding baby Elijah's hand

Liberty holding baby Elijah’s hand

Of course, I know I need God, but I don’t always act like I know I need God. It’s sometimes easier to go about my merry way and ignore the fact that I’m really not in charge. In fact, life doesn’t usually go as well when I operate as though I’m the one in control.

“Spending time alone with Me is essential for your well-being. It is not a luxury or an option; it is a necessity. Therefore, do not feel guilty about taking time to be with me,” Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young.

You, too, have decisions/choices to make. Big ones and little ones. But before any decisions should be made, I must spend time with God, in His presence, in His word. When I take the time to do this, I find guidance and blessed peace. Peace that this world can never offer me. Do you find this to be true?

• Do you find it difficult to set aside time to meditate in God’s presence?

• What truths did you encounter when you spent time with God and in His Word?

“Come near to God and he will come near to you…”—James 4:7-8.

Mind Renewal

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“A renewed mind is Presence-focused. Train your mind to seek Me in every moment, every situation!” (Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young)

From the moment I open my eyes this morning; You granted me another day on earth. I hear the furnace pop on and my room becomes toasty warm. You are present.

I see Your written words when I turn on a switch. Light illumines the page. Words of comfort and affirmation waken my soul. I don’t see You, but my being knows You are orchestrating my day.

“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always,”—Psalm 105:4.

It’s not always easy to seek God’s face. It’s not necessarily a natural response, but a learned one. Every time I seek after God and His wisdom and ways, I am rewarded. Blessings come. Some I recognize; others I breeze past.

How about you … how do you seek God’s face?

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Let us rejoice & be glad

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“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it” — Psalm 118:24.

Planting Ground Lake, Three Lakes, Wisconsin

Planting Ground Lake, Three Lakes, Wisconsin

“I begin each day with a sunrise, announcing My radiant Presence. By the time you rise from your bed, I have already prepared the way before you. I eagerly wait your first conscious thought. I rejoice when you glance My way” – #Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young.

 

Water your own grass

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“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” —
1 Thessalonians 5:18.

“I am calling you to a life of thankfulness. I want all your moments to be punctuated with thanksgiving” — Jesus Calling.

Unfortunately, there are many examples where I failed to thank God for all my blessings. I find myself complaining about petty items.   image002 (Copy)

The weather is too hot or too cold. We need more rain or there’s been too much rain. This meat is too spicy or too bland. They get more time off to do what they want to do. Or, their grandchildren live close by and mine don’t. She’s further ahead in her writing career, or he has more published magazine articles than I do.

Instead, I need to be thankful for:

  • Sufficient food on the table
  • Employment opportunity
  • Children & Grandchildren alive & well
  • The gift of writing
  • My own platform to proclaim my story

I am right where God intended me to be. He placed me in this family for a reason(s).

Dear God, forgive me for daydreaming and wondering what the grass on the other side might be like.

“You may think the grass is greener on the other side. But if you take the time to water your own grass, it would be just as green” – unknown.

 

Be thankful along the way

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“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” –
1 Thessalonians 5:18.

I am calling you to a life of thankfulness. I want all your moments to be punctuated with thanksgiving –  (Jesus Calling).    Be thankful along the way (Copy)

Unfortunately, there are many examples where I failed to thank God for all my blessings. I find myself complaining about petty items.

The weather is too hot or too cold. We need more rain or there’s been too much rain. This meat is too spicy or too bland. They get more time off to do what they want to do. Or, their grandchildren live close by and mine don’t. She’s further ahead in her writing career, or he has more accepted magazine articles than I do.

Instead, I need to be thankful for:
* Sufficient food on the table
*  Employment opportunity
*  Grandchildren alive & well
*  The gift of writing
*  My own platform to proclaim my story

I am right where God intended me to be. He placed me in this family for a reason(s).

Dear God, forgive me for daydreaming and wondering what the grass on the other side might be like. 

“You may think the grass is greener on the other side. But if you take the time to water your own grass, it would be just as green” – unknown.

 

Share your story

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“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” — 2 Corinthians 4:7.

God gave each of us a message, a song, and a story in our hearts. He gave us this message to share. Not to keep it stored up inside.    Glory-gifts from God (Copy)

Your story is different than mine. Your story is yours. My story is mine. My story includes joy, pain, trials, defeat and victory — so does yours. Our stories involve different details, but similar characteristics. The Author-Creator of our stories remains the same God.

Isn’t it time to pen those words, so others can be blessed & encouraged? Ask God to fill you with his all-encompassing power. He will give you and me the courage to write that story burning deep inside!

Let me fill you with my Love, Joy, and Peace … Glory-gifts #JesusCalling.