Uplifting/Encouragement Friday....

 I wanted to do this post a little different.  I wanted to share some of my favorite quotes/messages and break down my outlook on each one of them!!! 

My Outlook from the quote above:  It takes absolutely No thought/rhyme/or reason to start complaining.  This comes across like breathing.  It is natural to complain and be justified in doing so.  Some situations come to our front door because we invited it there.  Other times we did not ask for it, and it comes breaking the door down, trashing the place, and setting everything on fire.  When we complain we submit to the "victim" role.  We want to pull the "red" card and scream the words "Unfair!"  We want to surround ourselves with the right audience that views and agrees with our thought/voice. In this state of mind we only see it from our perspective.  Saying it out-loud doesn't make it right or give us justice. In this quote above it says we have 2 choices.  1) Leave the situation 

2) accept it.  It is that simple!! It is cut and dry.  To keep talking about it out-loud will only stir up anger and bitterness.  It will also rob you of peace, and that is exactly where the enemy wants you!! He wants you to sit in that rocking chair, rocking back and forth complaining about what happened, and staying in the exact same place!!  I find it easy to "leave the situation" I struggle more with the "accept it" stage.  Sometimes it is hard to fully accept something and make that part of the bed.  Sometimes you don't want to accept what that person said, or what they stand by.  Sometimes it comes with pain and hurt that you didn't ask for.  

My outlook from the quote above:  I like to have closure.  I associate "Peace and Closure" in the same chapter.  I feel those two go hand in hand.  So if I do not have closure, then I find I lose my peace. This quote above opened my eyes to seeing that they both can be separate and not go side by side.   We cannot force reconciliation.  We cannot change someones mindset that is not set on being changed.  We are responsible for our part and our part only.  We can have enlightenment in our minds but it is ALL that we have control over.  I have to come to grasp that with peace,  I may never have closure with some people, and that it needs to be ok.  The most important concept I need to grasp is that IF and WHEN that person chooses to reach out, that I need to extend my hand and accept it with no questions ask.  This goes similar to how we are with Jesus.  We may be bitter and angry and do something wrong, but when we have the clarity we go to Jesus and ask for his mercy/grace and he extends it to us with no questions ask.  Some people may in-fact actually want to stay broken, and may never want to be fixed.  We are to fight that battle in the prayer room.

My outlook from the quote above: Boundaries are one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself.  You do not have to let any and everything close to you.  You are allowed to keep people outside of your circle.  When you forgive someone, you are releasing them to God and walking away.  It is a process of freeing yourself from bondage and anger. If you allow toxic people around you, they will continue to hurt you over and over.  Some people are ok with having the enemy take up a place in their heart and be used by him.  Sometimes you may need to keep extending forgiveness to those that hurt you from a distance.  

My outlook from the quote above: In this world we tend to care about what others think about us.  We live in a society where people feel just because God gave them a voice, that they can speak and shout whatever comes to mind.  In the Bible it says we are to be "Quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger."  We are to not speak every opinion that comes to mind.  If you are lucky you should have at least 2 people in your lift that you can always go to.  These should be people that are going to tell you the truth in love, and not always agree with you.  It should be people that live their life by the Word of God, and lift you up in prayer and encourage you.  If someone says something about you, ask yourself this:  "Would I go to that person if I needed advice?"  If the answer is no, then you do not have to accept what they have said.  You do not have to attach their words to your spirit.  You can set up those boundaries and forgive their words from a distance and move on. 

My outlook from the quote above:  You have a choice each and every day.  We can wake up and make the decision that we WILL BE IN A GOOD MOOD.  We can make the choice that NOTHING is going to dictate us, and steal our peace and joy.  We are to not be led by our feelings.  Feelings are not stable and they will vary from different circumstances.  Our feelings can change in a moment, that is why we cannot give into them.  We need to make up our mind in advance!!! When we feel that shift starting to happen, we need to shake those thoughts off, and once again say "I WILL BE IN A GOOD MOOD!"  This is something you could find yourself repeating throughout the day.  The important thing to grasp is that WE are in control of how we think.  We do not have to let ANYTHING or ANYONE steal our joy and peace.  We can hold onto it not matter what storm comes our way!!

Stumbling Blocks.....

In this walk of life I have come to notice that there are many things that tend to trip us up from time to time.  It seems it is never a smooth path.  Things can be going fine, and before you know it, you trip on something that you didn't see coming.  This could come from a bad decision made, or just out of the blue for no reason.  As a believer I have come to learn a few things...... 

Perspective:  It depends on how you view the situation.  Do you spend time focusing on the Why/ How/ What/ How you feel/ Facts/ The Scene/ Etc.   There are many factors that can come into play. I can rest knowing that God sees the entire picture and is not caught off guard.  He knows the beginning, the middle, and the end.  I can rest in knowing that God is the author of the story, and that he has a plan.  Even if I don't understand it, I am to trust him because he already knows. 

Focal Point:  I believe having the correct focal point is key.  We are to not let things distract us from what really matters, or what is really important.  We are to remain fixed on Jesus and not take our eyes off of him.  Do we Magnify the stumbling block or what our Savior can do?  We have a choice!!  We can be like Peter and keep our eyes on him in the middle of the storm and have faith, or we can look at the stumbling blocks and be overtaken by fear. 

This post speaks to me in particular at my current stage in life.  I have stumbling blocks that are currently trying to trip me up and distract me.  I find myself praying and asking God to help me keep my eyes on him and not what is happening.  I don't want to waste a day or a moment being distracted from the greatness of God.  I feel the enemy will use things/situations/ and even people to distract us from certain blessings from God or even vision from the Holy Spirit.  He sees what is coming and wants to trip you up and distract you from the very moment you have been blessed with.  A particular story in the Bible comes into my head.

The Parable Of The Sower (Matthew 13:1-18)

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.  Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.  Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.  Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil.  It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.  But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.  Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.  Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop- a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.  Whoever has ears, let them hear."  The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?"  He replied, "Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.  Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.  This is why I speak to them in parables:  "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.  In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: "You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.  For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes.  Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.   But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.  For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.  "Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:  When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart.  This is the seed sown along the path.  The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.  But since they have no root, they last only a short time.  When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.  The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.  But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it.  This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."


I find myself asking God to help get the Word rooted deep inside me so when seeds come my way they are planted and rooted in good soil.  I want the Word of God hidden deep in my heart so the enemy cannot take was was given to me.  I want to have the fullness of God.  In certain situations I find myself getting distracted on the worries of the word and I can see myself magnifying those areas by focusing on them.  I believe self awareness is key.  It is important to not waste too much time focusing on the wrong things.  I see these things as temporary earthly struggles and I see them as stumbling road blocks.  These are not "dead end" kind of stops.  They are temporary road blocks.  I need to figure out a way to get around them and drive over them.  The Word of God can help me do this, and this is the ONLY way I can overcome these stumbling block. 

In closing I am speaking to myself and anyone going through these stumbling blocks at the moment. 

Have perspective in what you are looking at.  

Look at who/what you are focusing on

Make sure you have the right kind of soil where the seeds can grow.

If you are a follower of Jesus then you want to make sure you are operating in the full capacity of who he created and designed for you to be.  We cannot afford to waste a minute/moment/second/day/week/or year.  We need to understand we have a specific purpose and goal and it is our job to not let things or circumstances distract us. 

Trials & Tribulations....

Romans 8:18 says: "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy (to be compared) with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

Each day we face the unknown.  We do our best to stick to our routines and schedules but to be 100% honest, we are walking around blind.  We put our hope and focus in "things" and most of the time these are temporary and not eternal.  It is important to grasp the fact that we were never made for this world, we are simply a visitor passing through.  We have been given a task, and it is our job to fulfill it by walking in the ways of Jesus Christ.  The Bible is our spiritual guide that we need to refer to.  The most beautiful thing to grasp is that we have a Savior that can identify with us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.  He has literally taken on human flesh, walked with us, taught us important life lesson, and showed us that he could do it with no mistakes.  I believe the word Humble is something that we tend to forget as believers.

Humble: Having or showing a modest or low estimate of one's own importance.
Humility: The state of being humble.  The origin in the Latin word humilis, means "low."  When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

It is an important lesson to understand that since we were not made for this world, we are going to experience things from this world and they are going to be dark.  They are going to be not natural.  Is it scary?  Yes.  Is it hard? Yes.  But let me leave you with this question........ Should you be consumed with fear?  We have been told in the Bible that "fear" is a spirit.  That is exactly how Jesus defines it.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.

So when we experience things that are not natural, what is our first response?  Do you give into everything we see and experience? Do we submit ourselves to it?  Do we let it consume and take over us?  I don't know about you, but I don't want any spirit taking over me or attaching to me.  I know that I was created in the image of God and for good things.  I know that Light drives out darkness.   The fact is "Darkness" cannot exist in the presence of light, and sin cannot exist in the presence of God.

John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

As believers we are taught that we are over-comers because we receive what Jesus did for us on Calvary's cross.  Once we understand what Jesus purchased for us with his perfect blood, we can start to walk out who God created us to be.  Do you know that you have a new name in Heaven?  Do you know that God has you engraved on the palms of his hands?

Isaiah 49:16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.

This should give us confidence!  But this is not confidence that we can find in ourselves.  This comes from the grace that God freely gives us as a gift.  We cannot earn it, we cannot be "good" enough, and it cannot be bought or come from things.

So we are instructed to come BOLDLY into his throne room of grace and make our requests known.  What I envision in my head is a child who walks up to their parents and freely asks over and over and over again.  Children have that confidence because they are pure and simple.  We are to come to Jesus like children.  We are to ask and believe.

When things come our way and we find ourselves stumbling in the darkness we are to do it one step at a time.  His word is a lamp to our feet.  His word will guide our steps in the darkness.  We are never alone, and we are to never be consumed with the spirit of fear.  Nothing takes God by surprise or catches him off guard.  We have to trust that God is STILL in control, and that God has this covered.  What we are to do is to keep our eyes on Jesus.  There was a painting I painted and in the very small center if you focus on the painting you see a tiny cross.  This painting was to remind me to not be distracted by everything going on.  I am to remain still and calm and focus on that tiny cross.  I have included a picture of my painting below.

Zoomed in below you can see the tiny cross in the center.

So I want to leave you with this verse to cling to:

Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.  Where does your help come from? Jesus!  Who is the glory and lifter of your head? Jesus!  Who died for you? Jesus!  Who has your name engraved on his hand? Jesus! Who saves every single one of your tears? Jesus!  You are precious, loved, and valued!

Watch this video below to remind yourself to turn your eyes on him.

                                

Anxiety.........

I saw something that really caught my attention and it inspired me to write a blog post.

I think we can all agree that at this current moment with what is happening in our world that we all have felt anxious recently.  Having constant fear poured out to us about the unknown and the "what if's" are really coming at us full speed.  It isn't hard to become overwhelmed and anxious.  All it takes is focusing on the issue/issues and letting them overtake you.  Anxiety is an emotion/feeling, we choose to give it more power.  I think fear in the unknown is one of the greatest tools that create panic and anxiety.  I think a close second would be "fear of the unexpected." When we get that surprise news that we weren't expecting.  When we are truly caught off guard and don't even know how to respond.  I want to back up what the word of God says about these two very issues.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7

   For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. -2 Timothy 1:7


   But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles;         they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:31

   
    So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you      and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10


    I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. -Psalm 34:4


    Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways      submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. -Proverbs 3:5-6

          Now I would like to go into detail about the first issue of anxiety that I addressed.
                                                       Fear Of The Unknown:

It is scary to not know the outcome.  We want to know the end of the story before we even begin.  We want to know that everything is going to be ok.  By having this mindset we are putting our OWN will before God's.  We are leading with this attitude saying "I know what is best."  "I will take control since nobody else is doing anything."  Our mentality is "wow this looks really bad, so it must be really bad."  It is easy to look at the effects from the storm and gather with the small knowledge we have in our brains and try to formulate a plan based off of that.  We see the thick dark clouds, see the wind moving the trees, and we understand that things are getting bad.  This is what is currently happening right now.  If you turn on the TV we are hearing numbers, hearing about panic, disease, misinformation, people speaking lies, nobody speaking truth, etc.  It seems it is ALWAYS bad news and something bad happening. We have the control on what we put in front of our eyes and what we listen to.  We can be informed of what is going on, without having it consume us with fear of the unknown.  We get to have the final say : "No More!"  We can put on praise and worship and focus on what God says in his word and take comfort from what he says, and what he already did!!  The way to sum it up is this: God knows EVERYTHING that has happened, that will happen, and that is to come.  NOTHING takes him by surprise!   We have to have FULL trust on him no matter how bad the storm looks.

                                                        Fear Of The Unexpected:

This happens when we are caught off guard and taken by surprise.  Each morning we wake up, we have no way of knowing what the details are for that day.  We can all have our little plans and checklist but we must remind ourselves that we are NOT the ones in control for that day.  We are alive that morning, because of HIM.  He allows our hearts to beat for another day, he gives us breathe in our lungs for that day.  He has a purpose for us for that day, and we can choose to do our own thing, or follow his will.  Wouldn't it be a smart thing to wake up already being prepared for that day and be dressed properly?  The bible talks about this:

We are to wake up and dress ourselves "Spiritually" for the day.  We do not know what attacks might come our way for that day and we need to make sure we have guarded. ourselves properly.  We have to have the mindset that we are preparing for battle for that day.  It is not just another Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.  It is easy to stay busy and distracted with all of our plans and errands.  There is nothing wrong with having goals, but what can happen is when other things consume you and take your time and place for where God should be.  Is your job on the throne of God? Is your body and self image on the throne of God? Is Money your God? 

So I would like to finish off this blog post with some Good News!!!  We serve a God that knows what is going to happen.  He ALWAYS has a plan and is never caught off guard.  We have the Holy Spirit to be our official guide.  When we feel the spirit of anxiety coming on, we have the FULL Authority to rebuke it.  We do not focus our attention on all the bad, we focus on what God says.  We have to be dressed properly for each day and it all starts in our mind.  We need to make sure our minds are fixed on God and that we stay steady on his plan for our lives.  In his word he has told us that things will happen and take place, but we are to not be consumed by the fire. We have to trust him the way Peter did when he walked on water to Jesus in the middle of the storm.  He saw the storm, wind, waves, he even began to sink.  BUT then he fixed his gaze on Jesus and trusted FULLY in him and then he began to walk on water.  

When Things Don't Make Sense.....

I am currently going through a season in my life where certain things are not making sense.  I have had some difficult things knock at my doorstep and have caused me great heartache. In the sadness, anger, and frustration of it all, I find myself asking "Why?"All I hear is silence.  I am waiting for a response, an explanation and I hear nothing.  I struggle to cling to a verse that I can make my very own.  Here 2020 just kicked off and I find myself losing  peace.  It is discouraging and I find myself caught in the middle of it.  I am reminded that there are certain seasons in life that we will go through. There is a time for planting seeds and waiting.  During this time there is no action that we can see.  It isn't the progress that we wish to see.  We want it now!! We want to see the fruits of our labor.  We have to water those seeds and have the sun (SON) shine upon it. We have to do our due diligence and make sure we "SHOW UP" and not get lazy.  Even if we can't see it with our own eyes, doesn't mean nothing is happening.  (Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1)

Under the soil there is action.  That seed is slowly growing and expanding, little by little.  The roots are taking foundation.  Things are getting strong and rooted.  When looking at the ground we just see soil.  We see dirt.  We see nothing happening.  It can get discouraging.  If we are taking the time to water that seed then why don't we see anything happening?  (If we are in the word, have a relationship with Jesus, go to church, follow Jesus) then why don't we see things happen faster than those that don't.  These are thoughts that combat my mind sometimes.  I have to remind myself that we are to do those very things because of what Jesus did for US.  It isn't for special favors.  We don't have a VIP pass where we get to bypass the line.  What we are given is Grace.  (May grace and spiritual peace be yours from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. May blessing be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm!  Even as He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless in His sigh, even above reproach, before him in love. Ephesians 1:2-4)

That grace is freely given to us by the sacrifice that Jesus did for us.  It was his LOVE for us that made him do it.  When we receive Jesus we get to approach Heaven and come BOLDLY to the throne room of Grace.  That means we get to approach God almighty with spiritual authority and come to him as his Son Jesus.  We are clothed in HIS robes of righteousness and what HE did on the cross.  This gives us a certain spiritual inheritance.  It doesn't make us special, it makes us BLESSED.

Then I was reminded of other seasons we walk through.  Seasons where the land is plentiful and we are surrounded by fruit.  It seems like we almost just casually stumble upon it and just receive it's beauty without even having to work for it.  Seasons where you have joy, and peace.  Maybe a great job opportunity happens, maybe you are healed, maybe a child that has gone astray returns, financial blessing, etc.  I LOVE this type of season. lol. who wouldn't right?  I tend to try and stop and smell the roses during these seasons because I feel they are far and few in between.  Sometimes Gods voice may become even more audible in this season. I rejoice in these moments because I feel closer to him more than ever.  There is a part of me that doesn't want to admit it, but I will since I am feeling bold.  I honestly feel during this time when everything is running smoothly, that we tend to rely more on ourselves than on HIM.  I believe rough times keep us humble and remind us that we can do NOTHING in our own strength. I think of the Bible and the story of Job.  That is a man that truly had a rough season that he had to walk through.  It seemed like he lost everything in one day. 

What I collect from all of this is: we are to trust God no matter what SEASON presents itself.  We could be in the desert thirsty, hungry, dry, etc.  But guess what?  ....... He is STILL Good.  We could be watering our harvest and pleading with God for movement and action, but guess what?..... We are STILL Blessed.  Jesus went through this life and came to Earth to identify with everything we face.  We have a Savior that TRULY understands us and can identify with us.  It says that he sticks closer to us than a Brother.  We do not have to feel alone in these tough seasons.  We can have true rest in ANY season we are facing.  We understand that God already knows what tomorrow brings, and he will equip us in advance, if we do not lean or rely on our own understanding but we acknowledge him and his ways.  Our Joy does come from circumstances but from the Lord.  The joy of the Lord is our strength.  When we are weak, HE is strong.  His strength is made perfect in our weakness.  That is why Paul could boast from a prison cell about his weakness, because he had the Joy of the Lord as his very strength.

Maybe you are having a year like me.  Maybe you are stumbling blindly through the darkness at the moment.  Take direction from the Light that directs your next step.  It is the SON. 

When You Are Hanging On By A Thread, Make Sure It's The Hem Of His Garment......

I found a posting of this statement....

When You Are Hanging On By A Thread, Make Sure It's The Hem Of His Garment!

This brought me back to a story in the Bible and I want to share it below:

Luke 8:43-48

And there was a woman who had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone.  She came up behind him (Jesus) and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased.  And Jesus said, "Who was it that touched me?"  When all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!"  But Jesus said, "Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me."  And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed.  And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace."

How many times in our life during times of struggle can we honestly say we reach out for his garment?  It seems we are always reaching for everything else, BUT his garment.  We reach for Doctors, Friends, News, Family, Medicine, Etc.

We were not meant to go through this life in constant struggle.  We were never meant to go through it alone.  We need to take the spirit of pride and throw it down by the waist-side.  We are over-comers by what Jesus has done.

Whatever/Wherever you need fulfillment in your life, reach out for his garment.  Have that faith (as small as a mustard seed) as the Bible says.  Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

This blog post is for myself today.  Many times I feel the effects of life beating me down and I feel discouraged.  Sometimes I may even get more discouraged than others because I already know where my help comes from.  My help comes from the Lord above, he is the Maker of Heaven and Earth.  I have knowledge of this, so when I am not reminding myself of this, I only have myself to blame.

There are others in this world that do not know Jesus, and do not know what the Bible says.  They are truly walking in darkness and let their desires dictate their footsteps.

Whatever you are going through, may this message inspire you.  Reach for his garment!! Hang on his garment during the struggle!!!

Faith & Fitness.......

There are two "F" words that I love to use...... Faith & Fitness!!!

I feel like in our culture today many only focus on one of the "F's!"  Fitness seems to be something everyone aspires to achieve and will always continually work towards moving forward.  But what about the other one?  Why do we tend to focus more on Fitness and not Faith?  Is it because Faith is something we cannot see with our physical eyes? "Now Faith is the assurance of what we hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. " (Hebrews 11:1)

So I would like to ask an important question:  Which is MORE important?   Temporary?  Or Eternal?
It is always nice to back up this topic with the Word of God.... So let's see what he says....

For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down, we will have a house in heaven, and eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. (2 Corinthians 5:1)

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)

So we have an understanding that our bodies will grow weary and weaken as we age.  Now I don't want to come off as being negative because we have a priority to stay healthy and take care of our earthly bodies. 

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, who you have received from God?  You are not your own, you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your bodies. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

So it is pretty important to make sure we take care of our bodies and stay healthy for ourselves and our loved ones.  We owe it to Our Creator since we were purchased at a high price!!! 

Now I would like to focus on the other "f"..... Faith!!!

Faith is eternal and to have "Faith" pleases our Heavenly Father. 

But without faith it is impossible to please him:  for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

 To live our lives concentrating on the physical doesn't seem like a smart choice.  We need to train our minds to focus on the Eternal.  We need to take the time to understand the Word of God and actually open it to see what it has to say.  We are only fooling ourselves if we think we can make it in this life on our own understanding.  We were made in HIS image and he has placed certain hidden talents and traits in each of us, and it is only the Holy Spirit that can bring those out.  We cannot let the sin of Pride creep in to deceive us. 

I have had this blog for over 10 years now.  My whole purpose behind starting this blog was to be a Missionary and reach other countries in the world and share the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I started my Instagram account to focus on my Fitness journey.  It is important to have a healthy balance.  Have time with our Savior, and have time to stay Healthy. 

I want to encourage you to see which is more important to you?  Do you tend to only focus on the physical?  How often do you read Gods Word?  How often do you talk to him?  Do you ever feel conviction from the Holy Spirit?  Are you plugged in a healthy spirit filled church?

These are important things to ask yourself!!!

I  hope this posting brings some insight on my two favorite "F" words!!!