Decisions, Decisions?

Have you ever needed to make a decisions and couldn't? Both choices seem like relatively good choices but both have completely different outcomes.

If you have never dealt with this, then perhaps this blog is not for you... NOT! If you haven't faced this yet you will eventually. It is an inevitable part of life. It is the battle of "wills" God's will and our own will. The trouble is, sometimes, it is hard for us to decipher the difference. God says in:

Isaiah 30:20-21 ²⁰ And though the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore, but your eyes shall see your teachers.  ²¹ Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “ This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.

Well, now that seems plain enough, right? God will give you challenges and He will bring pan into your life but also guide your walk..WAIT the God, who loves me and sent His only son to die for me to show me that love causes hard times in my life?? YES HE DOES!!! Why you might ask? 

I will give a simple example that I know most have had happen before: 

    You are at a mexican restaurant and the waiter comes out carrying a plate and while he is setting it down he says, "Hot plate!" Which means don't touch the plate its hot! However, you think it can't be that hot and what if he is just saying that, and you touch the plate and guess what happens, you get BURNED! 

     Hopefully, you learned a few things from this incident. 

1. Trust the person that is giving you the command. We so often hear or feel the Lord guiding us on our journey but think we know better. 
2. Disobeying leads to consequences. When we disobey or choose our will over God's will there will be consequences for those actions. We get burned but, as a burn does, we will heal and God is the only one that can offer us that healing. 
3. Let's say you touch the plate by accident, you weren't trying to disobey, it just happened. You still learned to be careful, to pay closer attention to your surroundings, and to be prepared for all possible outcomes in all instances. God wants us to be prepared for the unthinkable and sometimes we must be burned without any wrong doing to lead someone else away from that burn later on in life.

Decisions can be hard because we want whats best for our families, our churches, and ourselves and we will always choose best if we first pray about the choices and asking God to show us His will in the situation. Then secondly, ask yourself, which choice with glorify or further God's kingdom. You might say to yourself some of my choices don't weigh that heavily on either/both of those. You will be wrong every time.

Lets take another example and show how God is in the details:
   Today you are hungry for two things: Piccadilly or Buffalo Wild Wings. You ask your friend if they would like to go to lunch and they say, " Yes, I would love too." So you choose BWW and you're off to eat some good wings, that you have been craving. Harmless enough. right? What if that friend is struggling privately with an alcohol problem and you have basically brought them into the belly of the beast. Well, you might say well they should have told me or if that's the case they will never be able to eat at another restaurant again. WRONG! Selfish Thinking! There will come a day, perhaps, when walking into a restaurant where alcohol is served will not be a big deal but if someone is in the struggle, at that moment, the flashing signs of beer and the ease of ordering can be deafening.
     Now let's choose Piccadilly instead. You and your friend go sit down enjoy a nice lunch where there is no pressure and in that moment, where they feel relaxed and aren't surrounded by temptation and stress, open up about their struggle and confides in you about what they are going through.

That is the effect a simple decision, such as, lunch can be in one's life. Here is one of many scriptures that I read when I am contemplating God's plan in my life and what direction I need to go.

Matthew 7: 13-14 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." -- walking with God daily will get tough but the easy road will lead to death and destruction but God's narrow road leaves to eternal life with the Savior.. Hmm, put that way it seems like a no brainer.

This is a beautiful chapter in Proverbs. It is lengthy to read but it shows an understanding of God's plan and wisdom in our lives. We must follow God's plan or our lives will never amount to anything to be proud of. If you don't draw close to God and learn who the Creator is and what He means to us, then we will never be effective Mothers, Fathers, Daughters, Sons, Friends, Teachers, Encouragers, Soldiers for Christ, etc.. We will not be effective people until we understand not our purpose but HIS purpose for our lives.

Proverbs Chapter 3: Wisdom Bestows Well-Being
 ¹ My son, do not forget my teaching,
   but keep my commands in your heart,
²
   and bring you peace and prosperity.   
³ Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
   bind them around your neck,
   write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴ Then you will win favor and a good name
   in the sight of God and man.
 ⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart
   and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
   and he will make your paths straight.^[a]
 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
   fear the LORD and shun evil.
⁸ This will bring health to your body
   and nourishment to your bones.
 ⁹ Honor the LORD with your wealth,
   with the first fruits of all your crops;
¹⁰ then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
   and your vats will brim over with new wine.
 ¹¹ My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline,
   and do not resent his rebuke,
¹² because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
   as a father the son he delights in.^[b]
 13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
   those who gain understanding,
¹⁴ for she is more profitable than silver
   and yields better returns than gold.
¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies;
   nothing you desire can compare with her.
¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand;
   in her left hand are riches and honor.
¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant ways,
   and all her paths are peace.
¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
   those who hold her fast will be blessed.
 ¹⁹ By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations,
   by understanding he set the heavens in place;
²⁰ by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
   and the clouds let drop the dew.
 ²¹ My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
   preserve sound judgment and discretion;
²² they will be life for you,
   an ornament to grace your neck.
²³ Then you will go on your way in safety,
   and your foot will not stumble.
²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
   when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
²⁵ Have no fear of sudden disaster
   or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
²⁶ for the LORD will be at your side
   and will keep your foot from being snared.
 ²⁷ Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
   when it is in your power to act.
²⁸ Do not say to your neighbor,
   “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
   when you already have it with you.
²⁹ Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
   who lives trustfully near you.
³⁰ Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
   when they have done you no harm.
 ³¹ Do not envy the violent
   or choose any of their ways.
 ³² For the LORD detests the perverse
   but takes the upright into his confidence.
³³ The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
   but he blesses the home of the righteous.
³⁴ He mocks proud mockers
   but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
³⁵ The wise inherit honor,
   but fools get only shame.

Always remember each choice should be led by God and once we start doing that effectively then our lives will be as He planned it. We put down our will and pick up His and watch our lives transform into the beautiful creations He meant each of us to be.

Walk by Grace

Praise You in this Storm

Why do we call our troubles storms? Well, we have to start by first defining the word storm.

Webster says in the noun form a storm is a violent disturbance of the atmosphere with strong winds and usually rain, thunder, lighting, or snow.  As a verb storm means to move angrily or forcefully in a specified direction.

It’s starting to make a lot of sense why we compare hardships in life to a storm. The worse the problems the worse the type of storm we compare it to.

Some of the biggies we compare to storms can include finances, relationships, medical issues, struggles with our own self- image, and parenting. These are just a few in the big scheme of things but some of the most crucial and influential aspects of our lives.

We are an atmosphere. Our lives are a delicate balance of good and evil that if not properly taken care of can smash together and create hurricanes that will tear down our self validation, relationships, or just throw off our daily routines which can cause insanity in itself.

How can we allow God to come in and set us free from the burden? Let’s look at some scripture.

ISAIAH 40:1 – “Comfort, yes, Comfort My People!” Says your God.

This verse is short but very powerful.

 First, Comfort, this word means to give strength. It’s not just a word that means to hug when someone is crying it can but in encouragement, love and hope comes God's STRENGTH that he blesses us with! Have you ever thought of it that way? If you haven’t, next time you see someone struggling comfort them because it gives them a little bit of your God given strength so they can keep going during the times they need help reclaiming God's gift of strength to them.

Second, the exclamation point is an important part of this scripture. Punctuation is always important on how to get a point across. God is shouting and exclaiming to His people that they will be comforted. He is promising s comfort. I don’t know about you but when someone shouts something in zealousness and hope I tend to listen then if they just whisper but he PROCLAIMED His promise of Comfort and gave His people hope and still does.

Third and the most important, “Says your God.” This should have been my first point but I was going in order of the verse. “Says your God.” The word YOUR should stand out to you because it doesn’t just say God. It states “your God.” He is our living Savior and we are His children. He is a personal Lord and He shows us that in His word.

Now, what do we have to do to earn this Comfort? This is going to blow your mind NOTHING. As God’s children when we accept Him into our hearts all that he has promised His people we begin to receive.

Does this mean we should do nothing? Absolutely not! We are led to service. We should want to do our part to help others come to know the blessings of standing on the promises of God.

Now, this blog didn’t come from thin air. It was placed on my heart because of where I am at this moment and how I am coming to understand the struggles that we face.  From July 5^ththru July 11^th the devil was using me as a personal punching bag or so it felt. I left Breaux Bridge feeling defeated from the week, persecuted as a Christian from the people closest to me and just physically and mentally exhausted. Have you ever been there? Sure you have and I am sure I will have the worst week ever again. Storms are inevitable but instead of waiting until I was washed away in the storm to ask the Lord for help i asked Him for help from the beginning.  God is blessing me and filling my soul as we speak. He tells us in James 4:7 that if we continue to resist the devil, then he must flee. He held up his part of that bargain because I am at Clear Camp with the youth consumed in His love. We are worshiping His greatness, praying for His mercy and spirit to move through these kids and studying His truth. I am utterly amazed at His grace and all my storms have calmed and I am allowing Him to work in my life so that I may work in others.

Something I am learning is that God is in the details. We need to invite Him into our every moment and allow Him to have control from the beginning and things won’t spiral out of control; so that our lives become shipwrecked rather we might just have a torn sail that needs a quick stitch to repair.

So finishing up this message, I will say I continue to praise my Lord and Savior through the good, the bad and the ugliest storms because if they can get that tough with Him in my life, I can’t imagine what they look like without Him.

After the darkest storms, come the brightest rainbows.

Your Sister in Christ

Make Love Not War

Good Evening,

Have you ever been in a car with your significant other? That is probably a definate, YES!

There has to be a statistic somewhere that states more marriages end due to riding in cars together than any other reason.

Today tested my patience greatly. My husband was in a terrible mood, didn't want to drive, didn't want me to drive and we were stuck in traffic for three hours. Have you ever been there? Where everything you say is wrong. I tried to just be silent but if I breathed a certain way he was in attack mode.

I dont want anyone to think I don't love my husband because I am blessed to have him in my life but today was an education on UNCONDITIONAL LOVE!

After I calmed down and realized that he was not upset with me and he just needed to be in his own space and work through his issues, I put a few things into perspective.

First, who am I to get angry at my husband for being in a bad mood. If God can show me mercy in my worst moments I have to learn to step back and forgive not only my husband but others when they are less than favorable towards me.

Ephesians 2:4-5
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”

Second, It isn't about ME all the time. My husband was having a bad day and he wasn't feeling very good. All I could think of was how his actions were affecting me. God teaches us compassion, love and kindness. How is it that my heart didn't first go to that thought? Easy answer because we dont think with our hearts we think with our flesh.

The end result was after a lot screaming, then silence, some more screaming and then finally silence. I closed my eyes and prayed to please bring peace in our truck. It was then God showed me that my way of thinking was all wrong. After a re-routing of my attitude I started to finish the journey with love and understanding in my heart for my husband. I closed my eyes took a nap and allowed him to work through his demons.

Lamentations 3:22 – 25Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him. ”

So next time you are riding in cars with boys just let them drive and take a good nap.

Walk by Grace,
Breathing Slowly

P.S.

Take one day, one problem and one breath at a time and life with unravel a lot slower and will be easier to work through and understand.