Praising God In The Valley

The song above is from Psalm 121, penned by King David and sung here by Brian Doerkson from 2012. This is a song to hold onto in times of fear, doubt, or any distress to help refocus our hearts and mind. The song is a great reminder for us to continue praising God regardless of our circumstances. How are we to praise God when we are dead tired, weary, emotional, and realistically, not in the right mind at all? What does that look like for each of us who have made Jesus our LORD and Savior?

One thing I will say, after struggling the last two weeks of weariness, emotional blindness, and physical brokenness; God never left me and with no doubt sustained every part of me so my eyes would not depart Him. I am going to walk you through the verses God led me to one night when I could not sleep in the storm.  I am working on memorizing three verses so that, in dark moments, I WILL remember His promise of being at my right hand, and I WILL NOT be shaken.

For the two weeks right after finishing Chemo,in August 2018, I struggled to sleep to the point of going 4 nights with no sleep or ability to eat, when I don’t sleep, I don’t eat. My stomach began to shrink and my body got weaker and weaker. The nights of sleeplessness, I would wander and find my bible to sit and read for comfort. I remember one late afternoon, yelling at God how terrible this was and where was He and when would He let me know He was there again? I would read David’s writings over and over again as prayers to God. I was talking with my sister one day as I cried in utter weariness and she said “At least your still talking to God, right Mindy?, He can handle it. He is Greater!” I remembered telling people this too pre tumor and saying “God already knows, so what is the harm in shouting it out to Him?” From here, I began reading Psalms asking God to show Himself to me. I came to Chapter 16 and the verses 8-11 hit home and comforted me with His promise!

Psalm 16: 8-11

8I have set the LORD continually before me;
Because He is at (Not a question,God is calling me to believe in the moment of harship and struggle He is at my right hand, 9Therefore my heart is glad (Brightens Up and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also WILL dwell(meaning, to settle down, abide) securely  (felt as this was God telling me my body will settle down securely but I have to have Him before me continually, listening, obeying, humbling self).

10For You  WILL NOT (Promise) abandon my soul to Sheol;
Nor WILL (promise) You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.

11You WILL (Promise make known to me the path of life;
In Your presence IS (Promise) fullness of joy;
 In Your right hand there ARE (promise) pleasures forever.

so I would stretch my hand out next to me as if He was grasping it, at that moment)  my right hand, I WILL NOT be shaken (honestly, when I let my mind wander on the what if I don’t get sleep again, what if my brain never shuts off, what if this is my life from now on, I went into a dark pit of fear. I am reading through this post, which was started back in February 2020, and now in July of 2020, I am battling lack of sleep once again. It was 2 nights a week ago of no sleep and then 2 more nights this week so far. Tuesday night around 9:00, I remember saying this verse out loud and begging God for sleep as I was trying somthing new to help me sleep. It was not working like the gentlemen said it would so I got to sleep around 9:57 and slept until 12:30 when my husband accidentally dropped his phone on the ground and it woke me. I was not able to go back to sleep so I watched TV from 1:00 – 3:30, grabbed my phone charger and went upstairs to the guest room with 2 tylenol and slept from 4:00 – 6:30. I have a fitbit watch that tracks my sleep, not the deep sleep, so I wonder sometimes how accurate the FitBit really is. I believe I had a lot less sleep than the watch said. I went ahead and headed downstairs around 7:00 am and decided to run before it hit 100 degrees just To get my endorphines going so my heart and mind would not sink. It did help, but not before I was hit by the ugly angry bug. My sweet husband patiently looked at me while I vented, complained and skirted around my real issue of wanting to control everything instead of accepting where God has me. Instead, I attacked Daniel for waking me up andwanted to blame him for the bad night sleep. This seems to be my MO lately. God and I have had many conversations on this specific topic and I used to, with confidence share and challenge women to walk in His faithfulness with confidence and act like it was a breeze, not fully being patient, sympathetic or empathetic with them at all. Now, I have much more sympathy, empathy for what they are walking through. When life is handing you apples it is so easy to keep your head up and with a smile. It is much harder when things are more challenging just to carry a conversation and stay focused and not feel inadequate or capable of things I was able to do before. So, to say the least, the valley has been a more common hang out for me than the mountaintops post brain cancer. I want to give you some encouragement of how to walk this path, as I am learning, each day. Here are a few things that help me.

How have I learned to praise God in this valley? Not sure I have conquered this yet but I will give you some guidelines to help along this road.

1. VERBALLY THANK GOD FOR SOMETHING.Get up each day and verbally, out loud, say something you are thankful for to God. Father, LORD, JESUS, my SAVIOR, thank you for loving me, for my family, for sunshine, for the rain, for good days, for bad days, for friends, for life, for my children, for my job or whatever you feel led to say.
2. MAKE TIME TO READ GOD’S WORD. set aside time each morning before you do anything else to just sit quietly and praise Him then open the Bible and read His words with listening, learning ears and heart. You might need to download Bible Hub app or another to help you understand or reach out to a friend to discuss which usually turns into an encouragement time that we all need these days.
3. WRITE IN A JOURNAL WHAT GOD IS TEACHING YOU. I have notebooks filled with prayers, ventings, praises lifted, verses God led me to read with what God showed me in scripture as different things would stand out, I would write the verses under the date in case I ever wanted to go back and see what was going on at that point in my life. Something you can also pass along to your children one day in hopes that they will gain insight from what you have learned or the ability to share with another in their time of struggle.
4. MAKE A PRAISE PLAYLIST ON YOUR MUSIC APP. I have a worship list,a promises of God list, Songs of Praise, Encouragement, Who I am in Christ, Who God Is, Who Jesus Is, Living For Christ, Favorite Hyms List, Healing, Blessings, Needing Rest, Holy Spirit – this one I use to start off my time with God while asking Him to come and be present with me. Have God lead you to what will help you focus on Him. Calm your heart and mind that you can sit without distractions for at least 20 – 30 minutes or more depending on how long it takes you. No set time limits as if I don’t get up before my kids, it will take me upwards of 2 hours to get through my readings depending on how many questions they have or help they may need, yes, these are the distractions so maybe find a room with a lock. I have older kids so it’s doable for me. If you have younger I don’t recommend hiding in your room with your door locked.

Make God a priority so you don’t forget to praise Him, even in the valley’s. Father, not every day is it easy to humble myself and come before you as I want to do other things first, watch tv, play with the dog, go running to beat the heat, go back to sleep, read a book, meet a friend for something, but I am fully aware that my time with you will set a presedence for my day and how I WILL be able to handle the hard moments, joyful moments, distractions and interactions in life. Please may I find favor with You when I read Your word that I WILL gain insight and understanding of your WORD or know where to go to study it deeper or with whom. Open my eyes, heart and mind to You each day LORD and grow my desire to meet with You no matter what obstacles are thrown my way that I may seek You and find You as You promise us in Matthew 7:7-8; “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you WILL find; knock and the door WILL be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door WILL be opened.” This is a promise God gives us that if we seek Him, we WILL find Him. Amen.

I know you may be tired, weary and wanting to give up. Please don’t. Keep lifting Your eyes to Jesus, THE WAYMAKER, SAVIOR, HELPER, HEALER, ROCK, REFUGE, RESTORER, REDEEMER. FORGIVER, RESTGIVER, Here is a song King David penned, the commentaries are not sure if was when he was facing battle or just during his travels he wrote this, but Matthew Henry’s Commentary writes: “But we need not thus appropriate it; wherever we are, at home or abroad, we are exposed to danger more than we are aware of; and this psalm directs and encourages us to repose ourselves and our confidence in God, and by faith to put ourselves under his protection and commit ourselves to his care, which we must do, with an entire resignation and satisfaction, in singing this psalm. I. David here assures himself of help from God (v. 1, 2). II. He assures others of it (v. 3-8).

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?

2My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

3He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber.

4Behold, the Protector of Israel will not slumber or sleep.

5The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is the shade on your right hand.

6The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

7The LORD will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul.

8The LORD will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore

Is God’s Will​ What Is Best For Me?

“Seriously God, we just rescheduled our lives the last 3 years do to cancer throughout our family from Brain Cancer, NOn-Hodgkins lymphoma to 2 members who fought breast cancer. Now COVID-19 and all life turned upside down is what was going through my head. Tuesday night was a fight for me. I found out that for my boys to go to a youth camp in TX meant we would have to cancel our vacation plans to Montana with my sister-in-law and brother-in-law on Daniel’s side as the Christian youth camp we were sending our boys to in TX required anyone going to youth camp could not have traveled out of state for 14 days prior to camp on June 19th. I was not happy at all with this instruction. BUT, after getting off the phone with my brother, I turned to the wall in our bedroom and said aloud, “God, if this is Your Will and what You want for our boys and family, I trust You. I leave all in Your hands and want You to lead us to the right decision for what You have for us this summer.” I turned around and went to call Daniel to discuss. He was not answering his phone due to being in a meeting, I was getting frustrated and wanted to get this situation under control. FULLY aware I DON’T have any control in this world and NEVER Will. Have you EVER felt this way before? Knowing full well what I had just prayed and that I, myself had no control over this situation, my husband finally called and we discussed. He talked with the kids, I grew more ancy, He called back with a final decision which is not what I wanted but was reminded that I had given all to God and said I would trust Him. We would not go to MT and Ben alongside me and our other kids would leave for TX on June 3rd so the boys could go to youth camp with their Uncle Trey, my brother, my sister’s boys who are the same age and some of their best friends, my brothers 4 kids, who they do not get to see very often but love dearly and I get to see my family. No wrong could be found, just me wanting things done as I had planned earlier in the year. This is not the first time our plans have been interrupted nor will it be the last. So, why do I fight and throw a temper tantrum? Because of the illusion of control. While here on earth, I think I can make things happen how I want them to totally forget or maybe choosing to try to forget that God is in control of all things. Romans 11:36 explains this clearly “For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory.” King David sings out in Psalm 139:16 “Your eyes saw my unformed body; ALL the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.”  I have been given this life on earth to live for His glory and His plans as we are told by Paul in Ephesians 2:10 “ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” So, how am I supposed to live this way?

1. SEEK HIS WILL and SUBMIT Yours: we are given a prayer in Matthew 6: 9-12 Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may YOUR name be kept holy. 10 May YOUR Kingdom come soon. May YOUR WILL be done on earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today the food we need,[a] 12 and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. May we understand and trust God to provide each day what we need, not always what we want and trust His hand in the provisions He provides no matter how it looks. I am fully aware this is easier said than done. But, in God’s power it is doable. Let’s do this together. Stay the course because by God’s strength we will endure. Lift your eyes up to God our Father. Hebrews 12:1b-2 “And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. ² We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.^[a] Because of the joy^[b] awaiting him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”

2. TRUST He has good for you, not to harm you. God told Jeremiah after Moses died and Joshua was leading the Israelites into the Promise Land these words: Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Please understand, this does not mean it will be easy but it gives us hope that God wants to prosper us in His way for eternity, not about gaining materialism, trips, status, but as I shared earlier from Romans 11:36, ALL IS for HIS glory, not mine. Another verse instructs us how to trust:

Psalm 3:5-6 which was the one I leaned on during my Brain Cancer Journey: “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.” Again, God never says easy but He will direct us and He has never let me down. It may not go as I would like, but He has never steered me wrong. So, my brothers and sisters in Christ, please keep your eyes focused on Him and not your circumstances for we have no control and NEVER will but HE DOES. He has good for us so keep the faith and keep enduring each day for one day we will stand before Him and I want to hear WELL DONE. Let’s link arms and finish strong pointing one another to Christ during this journey here on earth.

Father God, I pray for each person reading this testimony of Your faithfulness and my lacking, You remain faithful even when we don’t. You love us regardless of our doubts, fears, failures, and won’t let go. May Your presence flood anyone reading this today that they will be renewed with strength on wings like eagles so they can soar above their circumstances instead of crawling below them in fear or doubt. Remind them of Your NEVERENDING love, peace, and a life they could never imagine that You have laid out for them. Be our strength, peace, and may how we live to be an encouragement, light in this world that others will see You in and through us and draw men towards You. May Your Will be done on earth and may we humbly bow before You trusting Your hand. Thank you for your patience, love, kindness, and goodness all the days of our lives Lord. We love You, Your children.

Armor Up Today

Ephesians 6:13; “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you WILL BE ABLE to Resist in the evil day, and having done everything to STAND FIRM.“

Again, one of those verses that I have read over and over but yesterday, the part promising me that if I take up the armor of God, I WILL be able to resist evil. We are not dealing with the word maybe or possibly. We are given the strength by God Himself to be able to resist evil. This does require you to put on the armor of the Lord each day. it is so easy to get caught up in my circumstances instead of making time to cover yourself in the armor of God. I pray today you stop where you are and put on ALL His armor if you have not yet:  the verses are below so please make time to read and pray this over yourself, your family, and anyone you know is in a battle today.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

      18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, Ephesians 6:10-18

Father God, we know we are in a battle that is not always visible to our eyes. Per the scriptures above we are told it is not against flesh and blood yet so often we take it out on one another. May we be reminded today that we are to cry out to you and call on You for strength, help, and power to help us make wise decisions, think on holy thoughts, love one another, serve one another and encourage one another. We also understand that we are weak and it is by Your strength and power alone these battles can be won. So often, I have tried to do all of these things on my own but fail. Thank YOu, Father for not giving up on me but always remaining with me.

“The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:8 

May you be reminded that you are not alone in the fight. God is with you and so desires for you to know He is present and ready to help: David, talking with God says in Psalm 121:2, “My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” No matter what you are going through today, the Lord God is near you and desires to help you.  Call on His name and let Him help you. He will guide your steps if you allow Him to help you. HE does not want to harm you but has better plans than you could ever imagine.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.”

In Psalm 139: 16 we see where again, David is talking with God and recognizing His hand over his own life. David acknowledges God knows his days already.

“You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”

May you go in confidence today believing and understanding that you are greatly loved, adored and have a guide to help you. Go to God, (1)armor up (2)trust that His plans are so much greater than you could ever imagine (3)believe He hears you and will help you.

1 JOhn 5:14: “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.“

Pray with confidence and certainty today that God, our Father, hears your voice. May God make His face to shine upon you and bless you in all you do today that His Name will be magnified and glorified.

Blessings

Mindy

Work Unto The Lord

Last week, I started a new job at our local Elementary/Middle School as A Special education aide. I am assisting one of the two main SPED teachers with students. This was honestly a gift from God, as with teenagers, things are becoming more expensive from food, insurance, etc. I am enjoying the team in this department along with having a daily schedule and routine. I had some insecurities and anxieties, but, God has been so good to me through my bible readings in Exodus. Specifically in chapter 35-36 where God is giving Moses specific instructions for the Israelites and using their skills to build His Temple/Tabernacle. The last few mornings before school started,  I asked God, “how am I to prepare my heart, Your Temple as I walk in this new season so that it remains positive,  encouraging, and always focused on Christ?”

In Exodus 35:10“Let every skillful man among you come, and make all that the LORD has commanded.” from there He shares specifically what is being built.

Wednesday, July 24th, God had me in Exodus 36:1-2 “

“      1“Now Bezalel and Oholiab, and every skillful person in whom the LORD has put skill and understanding to know how to perform all the work in the construction of the sanctuary, shall perform in accordance with all that the LORD has commanded.”

      2Then Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every skillful person in whom the LORD had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him, to come to the work to perform it.

God is so gracious to remind me that HE alone has given me the skills to do the job before me. I also did a bible reading plan, from the bible app, with some of the teachers from our school called “Your Work Matters” which flows perfectly with what all God is growing in me currently: Confidence in Him and rebuilding my heart: His Temple, to refocus on God and His will for my life. I have to be before Him each morning with Thanksgiving or my mind/heart can easily become negative. I want to perform all the work in the reconstruction of His sanctuary, my heart, in accordance with His commands. It will not be easy, but by and through His power it can be done.

PRAYER: how I will communicate and hear from God.

SCRIPTURE: Reading from examples in the bible and learning what is pleasing and right to God.

ACCOUNTABILITY: This is huge as I publicly share things with you all and my close friends. If I am not holding to what I say, then I can be called out, corrected, challenged to turn back to God’s way. (just a thought, read Colossians 4:17 regarding the accountability we have before God regarding the completion of the ministries we have received in the Lord. Might be interesting to understand what God holds each of us accountable to)

What is your biggest challenge in working unto the Lord? In what ways do you need to change or pursue God so you can find Joy in the work with the skills He has given you?

Blessings and may His face shine upon you in all you do and may you glorify His name in all the work He has given you.

Ephesians 2:10 “¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“

GO work for the Lord today and be reminded He has already equipped you so be filled with confidence and Joy.

Before I go, I want to ask continued prayers for:

1. Larry Papizan, for healing, and peace/comfort for his wife, Faith,  their kids Cheree, Rebecca, Stephen, and grandkids walking this road with him.
2. Paul Jenkins as he has completed 3 rounds of his Chemo and has 3 to go. Please pray for his wife Linda as she walks this road with him.
3. Continue to pray for Olivia Streckfuss, her parents Joe & Rebecca as they try to comfort, support and encourage their daughter on her journey with her venous malformation. Pray for doctors to have insight in how to help her, comfort her and limit the pain. Still pray for full healing for this young girl.
4. Please pray for me to have strength each day as I work, to be an encouragement, get enough sleep each night and know when to stop or say no to excess that will take energy away from what God has called me to specifically in this job.
5.  Also, I ask for prayers not to use the hole in my head as an excuse not to serve in a certain capacity for fear of failing or taking too much of my energy. I don’t want to miss out on what God wants me to do or how He wants to use me. Please pray for wisdom and discernment for me each day.

PRAISE:

1. Many of you know early on I met a couple, Steve and Sara in radiation, he had to stop due to so many seizures continuing to happen but he finally finished. I texted with Sara yesterday and Mike has been seizure-free for one year and back at work. Please keep them in your prayers as they don’t want any tumors to come back.

Thank you all for your prayers, checking up on me and know I am doing very well and hope to post a live blog update soon. Each time I tried to record it just did not go how I wanted so I gave up on trying for now. One of these days it will happen. Have a wonderful week and will post again soon. “May the LORD bless you and keep you, may He make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you, May the LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace” Numbers 6:24-26. I had a youth minister who prayed this every week after youth group and now, as a pastor, prays this over His congregation. What a prayer and may you know God is with you, for you and so loves you this day. Have a wonderful week.

Much thanks and love

Mindy

How to Build Muscles of Active Belief

Have you ever needed to just talk it out? As a woman, this happens a lot for me. I am one of those people who want to verbally talk through a process and by the end of the conversation I know what I am to do. I know for a fact it drives my husband insane! Yet, he is gracious to sit and listen, probably wanting to tell me what to do, but holds back as I figure it out by the end. Sometimes we, men too, need to talk it out and hear the situation out loud before making a decision. Let’s walk through David’s prayer time.

First he takes his complaints to God. In Psalm 13 King David wrote “how long” four different times with God. The desperation is heard as he asks, “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?” Do you hear the desperate voice? I have had those moments wondering if God remembers I am sitting in pain. Next, David vents his frustration and disappointment by asking God: “How long will you hide your face from me, God?” It is as if God is playing hide-n-seek without giving the option of being found.  Lastly, David seeks God for comfort as he lays the real ache of his heart out in the open: “How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart (soul)? How long will my enemy triumph over me?” A little impatience is growing here. I imagine his voice is not calm at all but quite demanding, along with somewhat of a whoa-is-me. Ever felt these different emotions with God before?

Then in verses five and six, you see where he has talked his way into trusting in God. Matthew Henry wrote “God’s mercy is the support of the psalmist’s faith. Finding I have THAT (God’s mercy) to trust in, I am comforted, though I have no merit of my own. Note, how his faith in God’s mercy filled his heart with joy in his salvation, for joy and peace come by believing.” David already knew God’s character and I believe, though he walked through this little verbal battle, it was his

process of weaning out the fat of unbelief

and getting to the muscle of belief.

Five months after the twins were born, my husband suprised me with a gym membership and personal trainer. He knew I wanted to get back in shape. As I started to train, I would be required to weigh myself (hated these days). I noticed I was only gaining weight and not losing. You can imagine that was a little disheartening knowing how hard I was working. It was not until a year later that a friend stopped me and told me my muscles were looking very defined. That was a wonderful moment of encouragement and satisfaction. I want to compare physical training to spiritual building up the muscle of belief. How can you build up a strong muscle of belief?

Bring Your Complaints Before God

King David went before God. He could have found a friend and vented or complained, but he chose to go before God first. “But anxious cares are heavy burdens by which believers often load themselves more than they need (I am guilty of this). A common temptation also is when trouble lasts so long that we think it will last always. Those who long without joy, begin to be without hope. We should never allow ourselves to make any complaints, but what drives us to our knees. ” Matthew Henry. I believe David did not dwell here long because he did not allow himself to entertain the complaints for long. Avoiding the ability for unbelief to accumulate. His heart ached and he fell before God with a desire to trust God wholeheartedly.

Do not let your anxious cares become burdens. Each morning, at 4:00 am when my alarm goes off, I can choose to ignore it or roll out of bed and get ready. If I ignore my alarm, I usually regret it and makes the next workout more of a battle.  I also, might be harder on myself and become somewhat negative. But, if I get up and go to the gym, I feel stronger and the consistency of working out sustains my muscles. I am not as sore the more consistent I remain. The same goes with our spiritual lives. When I get up and meet with God, take my concerns, complaints, frustration, fears, worries to Him and leave those burdens with Him, I am happier, calmer and less anxious. My muscle of belief grows stronger and replaces the unhealthy fat of unbelief the more consistent I am going to God first.

He Brought His Whole Heart Before God

Not only did David bring his complaints, but he also brought his heart. He was wrestling with the thoughts in his head and sorrow in his soul. His heart was aching for the troubles in his life. I believe he knew God alone could heal them and that is why he went to God. God already knew his battles and what was going on inside of David. Why should David not be real?

One of the reasons I started working out is because 16 years ago my dad had quadruple bypass surgery. My grandparents had heart issues, cancer, high blood pressure, high cholesteral and more. I know that working out can help keep some of these things away. During my training, I learned weights help my bones stay strong. In doing cardio, I am able to strengthen my lungs, heart and endurance. Some days I cry out in pain because it is hard but I don’t pretend it is easy. Sometimes it burns my lungs to push that extra step or lift that weight one more time. There are times I really don’t want to go any further and want to quit from that voice saying “you are alone, just go ahead and give up”. I know some days are harder than others. Some days we want to just “GIVE UP” but God wants us to push through and go the extra step, lift our eyes to Him and keep reading His Word and seeking Him with our whole hearts. Even when we are doubting, angry, frustrated, disappointed and feeling alone. He already knows your heart so what damage will it do bringing these before God?  Which leads us to David’s final words from Psalm 13.

David CHOSE to Praise God and Trust Regardless

David’s final words in this psalm to God are: “BUT I TRUST in your unfailing love; MY HEART REJOICES in your salvation. I WILL SING the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.” Do you see how he says “I WILL”? David made a choice in that moment; regardless of his circumstances, he will believe God has him and praises him for being good. He chose to trust in God’s unfailing love, rejoice with his heart in his salvation and to sing recognizing God’s goodness even though his circumstances, to us, said otherwise. He chose not to entertain complaints, which grow into lack of trust and unbelief. Instead, he let his muscles of faith in God grow stronger.

Each morning I wake up and go to the gym with the attitude of “I WILL” go I feel better. Getting there is the hard part, but once I am there and work out, I feel good. The more consistent I am, the stronger I become. Each day, it is a mindset of getting up and going. Not always does that happen, I might miss a day, but I try to be consistent knowing the hard work benefits me. Same goes with our spiritual walk. Each day you arise, bring all your heart before God, you draw closer to Him, trust Him more to where you too can say, I trust in You Lord and your Unfailing love. You will get to know Jesus and recognize His goodness even when the circumstances don’t show them. The more you are in His Word, the more you get to know Him and your muscles of belief grow stronger and stronger.

What I learned about why I gained weight at the beginning of training, years ago. I learned that as the muscle builds up underneath my fat, it will eventually eat up that fat but for now it just grows and strengthens. Eventually the fat (3-5 pounds of fat can fill a place where 1 pound of fat was) will take over and lean me out. The scale might say I weigh more but my clothes say otherwise. Just because your circumstances say otherwise, does not mean that underneath growth is not occurring. It takes time, hard work and discipline to grow the muscles of belief. Find a plan and stick to it. Each person will have a different plan to build muscles of belief. How can you build these muscles?

Read God’s Word daily

Psalm 12:6 says, “The words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times”.

God’s Words are a healing balm, able to direct our hearts to what is right, bring peace, flood us with joy and give guidance for our journey.

Converse daily with an honest heart before God

Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me and know my heart, try me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the everlasting way”.

Change old habits, (recognize His goodness no matter the circumstances)

Romans 12:2 “Do not conform 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.”

Choose to Trust in God (make that non-ending decision now)

Psalm 62:8 “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”

Praise Him for how far He has brought you. Praise Him where you are right now in whatever work/season you are in right now. Thank you and remember how faithful He has been and will be until the end. Hold on tight to His hand and don’t let go, he never will.

Father, I lift up Your child as she/he begins this new year and new day. I ask You to arm them with Your strength. As they go about their jobs, wherever they are, will You please help them to turn any complaints or concerns to You. Remind them that You already know what thedays hold and You have them in Your hand. You know what is best and good for them just as David sang out to You. May Your children choose now, to believe Your words over anxiety in the world. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, lift your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 4:6-7). Just as David sang, may they sing Your praises in all circumstances. Thank You, Lord, for hearing this prayer. Thank you, Father, for loving us and never giving up on us. Continue to turn our hearts toward You and May our muscles of faith grow more and more replacing the fat of unbelief.

 

 

The Distilled Heart

Each morning I wake

Time in Your presence I will make.

 

You are already there,

Waiting to talk with this heir.

 

The glow draws me near,

Your warmth distills my fears.

 

Your arms surround me,

In You I find safety.

 

Praising Your Name my heart begins to generate,

A soft tenderness causing worries to evaporate.

 

My King, Savior, Redeemer and Creator,

God, I AM, You alone are Greater.

 

I bow before you my Builder,

It is time to begin the filter.

 

My sin you magnify,

So my heart you can purify.

 

Forgiveness sent from above,

Faithfully, You fill me with your love.

 

You reached Your hand down, my worries it extracts

My eyes look up, Lord, keep me from being distracted.

 

Reading Your Word helps me align,

Teaching my heart to be continually refined.

 

Thank you Father, for Your faithfulness to pursue;

And make this heart daily renewed.

 

Infuse me with Your power,

So this day I will not cower.

 

But serve You, faithful Lord;

Standing tall with You, in one Accord.

 

 

Today, I go forward with a distilled heart.

May Thy Word never depart.

 

Your amour I adorn,

May the enemy be forewarned.

 

You are my shield, Most High,

Enthroned above, may You be glorified.

Will I Accept God’s Righteousness?

Earlier in the week my husband approached me and said that God told him to have me share a testimony, at church, on how i lived under shame/condemnation vs the freedom of the righteousness God gives us. At first it was no big deal, but throughout the week, I started thinking this is not what I am suppose to do. What am I supposed to say? What could I say that my husband could not say better? God I am not the person you want to use. Almost as if audible I hear “But Mindy, you are the right person. You battle the ugliness of your heart and you still receive my righteousness. You have seen the nastiness inside of you and yet you choose to receive my righteousness that I gave you because I LOVE YOU, my daughter”.

During the week I prayed, wrote, prayed and wrote hoping something witty, good or great would come to my mind. A few older stories and a few current stories came to mind. Nothing that seemed impressive. It was as if my mind was being stumped on purpose to get me out of the picture. On Sunday morning, I prayed asking God for His words to flow through me whatever they may be. Still very nervous, speaking with my husband who is a great teacher, kinda worried me some.

Church started, my heart was pounding. No doubt the people around me could feel the vibrations on the floor or hear it pounding. I was so nervous “what if what I say is wrong, what if I forget?” Ughh, “Let go and KNOW that I AM GOD”. Ok, God, this is all you. With notes in hand, my husband calls me up to the stage, heart STILL pounding and the room has gotten warmer.  I begin to speak and at first it did not go the way I had planned. I actually went the wrong direction with my words. I defined shame and put focus on that first instead of God and the freedom of His righteousness. After church, my sweet husband said, “I did not know where you were going with that but knew God was in control”.

What I had wanted to say was that “I recognize that I have done things I should be ashamed of, but I am not called to live in the muck of the shame. I know things I have done things that dishonored God, someone else and wallowed in the dirt. But, God calls me to release it to Him and receive His forgiveness and put on His righteousness.”  I had become so caught up using the word shame I almost missed the point myself. God says in Romans 8:1 “Therefore, now, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”. I am not to live under condemnation. I am to live under the grace and righteousness of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.

Though, so often, satan tries to get us to focus on the shame and how bad we are verses the righteousness God promised we would receive upon choosing to have Him as Lord of our lives. He even had me tripped up this morning a little due to fear. Fortunately, God provided the switching moment of how we turn our guilt in shame into condemnation when we do not receive His righteousness and love. We choose to beat ourselves up and wear sack cloth for days instead of going before God, laying our burdens of shame, fear, anger, bitterness at His feet and opening our hands to receive His righteousness.

How are you doing today? Are your eyes focused on the shameful things and wallowing in the muck? Do you believe God loves you and has made you Righteous? If you have made Jesus Christ the Lord of your life then you have been made righteousness no matter what all you have done or will ever do. Romans 5:19 says, “For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the ONE the many will be made righteous”. You have been made righteous, now you just have to receive it.

To whomever is reading this, nothing you will ever do or ever have done will make you righteous. Only God makes you righteous and it does not matter how messy your life is. No one can make the choice for you. You have to choose to receive His righteousness. Know you are loved deeper and wider than you can understand. May you accept and receive God’s righteousness today. He has made you NEW – now go and live in the freedom of His righteousness.

Will you receive His righteousness? I have.

Blessings.