Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for he always tenderly cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 TPT

So many of us carry things we shouldn’t be. Some of as parents carry the deep concern for our children and the decisions they are making. Some of us carry the weight of a confidence of a friend. Some are simply stressed because of their job or lack thereof.

Studies show that carrying stress can take years from your life. There have been times when I was carrying way too much stress and could feel the effects of it. I’m sure you’ve been in the same condition yourself. This verse is the reminder you need today to pour it all out on Jesus and leave them there.

A while ago during a particular stressful season I heard the Lord say, “Don’t allow anyone to take your peace.” I had to think about that for awhile. I didn’t realize I was at the time, but as I thought about it again, I realized I did. Each time I got emotionally involved in someone else’s problems, or took personal the cruel things someone said, I allowed it to take my peace as well.

So I’ve been practicing this pouring out thing. Every time I listen to someone vent or spill over on me, I listen detached and when I walk away, I lay it as an offering at His feet. “Thank You for taking care of this, Lord. I know you have plans for all this mess and I trust You with it!” Then I go on my way looking for ways to encourage someone else or be a good listener. But never again will I allow anyone to take my peace with them. They will have to find their own.

So I will pray for you and encourage you, but I refuse to take your problems and make them mine. It’s not healthy for me or you. Got to lay it down, my friend! Lay it down and leave it there, then trust that He will take care of it as only He can.

Have a carefree Monday!

Much love,

Sandy

“Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight.” Romans 4:7

Ever been forgiven? A few years back, I discovered a mistake I made that cost the company almost $1000. It wasn’t intentional, I just missed something. Needless to say, I was hard on myself!

I took a deep breath, went back to the owner and told what happened, accepted responsibility and waited for the wrath. I could tell he was upset, but kept his cool, asked me to appeal the denial which I had already done. Before he walked out the door for lunch, he casually said these words, “Just make me lots of money, all is forgiven!”

I stood there stunned and it took me a few minutes for it to register. I couldn’t believe what just happened. I thought for sure he would take that money out of my paycheck. My mind had already taken me to the worst case scenario when I heard the Spirit say, “You’ve been forgiven, let it go! Why is it so hard for my people to just receive it. After all the forgiveness you’ve sown, don’t you thing you should reap the same? Why are my people so sin conscious when I’ve washed all sin away? Why do they think on what they’ve done when I don’t even remember it anymore.”

Forgiveness means never bringing it up again, removing it from your thoughts. It’s hard sometimes to do that, especially when we’ve been hurt so deeply. Our minds keep it alive like blowing on the dying embers of a fire. But Paul instructs us in Ephesians 4:32, “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

When I chose to believe in Jesus, I chose to believe in everything He did for me and everything He provided for me. He qualified me. His single sacrifice qualified me for complete and total forgiveness. Anything I did in my past, gone! Anything I do today, gone! Anything I do in my future, gone! He doesn’t stand with a clipboard keeping tally. I am forgiven.

Enjoy your weekend and remember to practice what you’ve learned in the Word this week.

Sandy

For just as the [human] body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works [of obedience] is also dead. James 2:26

“I’ve been waiting on God for so long! I’m tired and I just don’t have the faith to believe anymore!” Have you ever heard or said this or something similar? I know I’ve heard it several times. It used to be I’d try to find some kind and encouraging word to say to them but after I read this verse, I realized something profound very profound.

Faith only works with obedience. Not obedience to what I say or advise you to do, but what God asks you to do. If what you’re believing in faith for hasn’t manifested, read my last post. A yes and movement is the activator of faith.

If you want to strengthen a certain muscle in your body, you must work that muscle. For stronger arms, try putting a 5 pound weight in your hand as you do arm raises. Before you know it, your arms will begin to feel weak & sore, why? Because you’re working a muscle that hasn’t been worked on in awhile.

Faith is the same way. If you don’t begin using your faith, it gets used to not being used and gets lazy, finding other ways to ‘make’ things work that God never said ok to. You can go to faith conferences and get a shot in the arm, but what you do with what you’ve learned is key to obtaining the promise.

If you continue working your faith, soon you will notice a strength you didn’t possess before. Surrendering to the process and being consistently obedient in the small things will create an environment for your faith to expand. You’ll begin to be aware of the Spirit in you bringing the promise to fruition.

Remember that little muscle you weren’t aware of?  It ceases being a difficult process and becomes strong enough to lift heavier things. Your 5 pound weight becomes a 10 pound weight, which becomes a 20 pound weight, etc.

If you’re longing to see the signs, wonders and miracles Jesus said would follow those who believe, start by obeying the small promptings of the Holy Spirit. Stand in faith for your headache to go away instead of reaching for the bottle of pain reliever. Consistently trust in the Healer for yourself, soon you’ll trust the Healer for others.

Father, as You breathed life into my body and I became a living soul, breathe life into my faith that it may fire up and burn. Cause the small flame to become a roaring fire so that others may be more aware of Who is in them to do Your good pleasure and glorify You in the earth. It’s in Jesus’ name, Amen.

But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth]. James 1:22 AMP

I was reflecting on past conversations with God where He asked me to do something that just wasn’t logical. It’s scary to trust a God you can’t see to do something that’s way beyond your ability. But there is one thing I’ve grown to understand (not that I’ve got it 100% of the time, but I’m working on it); that God doesn’t ask you because you are able to do it, He asks because HE is able to do it. All He wants it your yes.

When everything in me screams, “What if…?” and God’s response is, “What if!” I will never know until I step out on the limb even when it’s not attached to the tree. When my expectations exceed my own and I tap into His. When He superimposes His power on my powerlessness.

A simple yes sets into motion the supernatural. A simple yes takes the impossible and makes it possible. A simple yes transforms mere humanity into a warrior king. That yes turns your freaky free fall into a soaring eagle.

A yes turned David from UberEats Delivery boy to a giant killer.  A yes brought Gideon out of hiding in fear to striking fear in his enemies. A yes took Moses from shepherding sheep to shepherding people out of Egypt.

What will your yes create? Only God can see that far ahead, but unless you give it, you’ll remain where you are. It’s time to shake off the old and step into the new. Regardless of your age or your current situation, what is God asking you to do and will your answer be yes?

YES Lord! Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes! For You haven’t given me a spirit of fear, but one of power, love and a sound mind. I will say yes when people laugh. I will say yes even when it looks like I’m a failure. I will say yes when I seemingly miss it because I know that You order every step I take. My yes will be louder than the sound of my beating heart or the voice of the accuser laughing in my ear. I trust You with my yes because You will never ask me to do what You in me is unable to do. It’s for Your glory and praise in Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Ever wonder why life can be so up one day but down the next? It’s usually because we pay too much attention to changing things rather then keeping our focus on the ONE who never changes. Stay focused on what the Word of God says and make that what grounds you.

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
    and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
    with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
    or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
    and they never stop producing fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

When I allow the Word to determine how I think, my feelings will become stable and rooted in that Word I’m trusting in. But if I allow my feelings to determine how I think, I become unstable as if my roots were loose in the sand and easily blown over by a strong wind.

I’m only as stable as the ground I’m planted in. I simply can’t allow my emotions to be the  deciding factor in how my day will go. Only I can decide what I allow or what I reject. I have to decide that before I see the storm coming. I have to determine that before adversity strikes.

You see my friend, life is full of ups and downs, but when we choose to place our trust in God, to trust in the finished work of the cross of Jesus, there is peace in that. How? Because when our mind is fixed on what He finished, we can rest assured that our outcome, whatever it may be, will bring Him glory.

I may feel the wind blowing, but I trust the rock I’m deeply rooted in.

Jesus, I speak peace to the emotional turmoil, the ups and downs of life today. I will keep my eyes on regardless of what I feel. You have established my ways, planned out my steps and have great plans for me. When the storm threatens to blow up my emotions and strip me of my growth, I will fasten my eyes on You, wrap my arms around You and hold on for dear life. I trust You! Amen.

My daughter recently posted something out of book she’s reading and what she posted was awesome, but it was the name of the book that caught my attention. Draw the Circle by Mark Batterson. I’ve read several of his books and love the way he thinks and writes, but this one I did not have.

As soon as I saw the title, I heard the Holy Spirit say, “If you could have anything that would fit in a circle, how big would your circle be?” Immediately I remembered a conversation I had with the Lord where He told me, “You’re thinking too small!”

How big would your circle be? Would there be room for lost souls? Would it contain those in need of healing? Would your circle be small, just big enough for you and your 4 and no more? Enough food to feed the poor? Just enough money to pay off your bills and make you comfortable or is your circle large enough to care for others?

I want to draw my circle so that it would take days to finish. I don’t want to look back and think, ‘Gee, sure wish I’d made it larger!’ I want it to hold so many blessings in so many ways that I can be a blessing to others.

Lord, with my words I draw my circle. According to YOUR riches, not mine. I exchange my old small thinking for Your thoughts. I rest in YOUR provision, not mine. May my circle extend beyond my natural view and into the heavenly realm. I lift my arms up to You and allow You to pour out a blessing I don’t have room to contain.

Isaiah 55:8-11 NLT: “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

 “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” AMEN!

This morning as I sit in the stillness of my office, I’m reminded of the faithfulness of an all knowing, all seeing God. Regardless of what I face, I can trust that I fit into His grand design.

The weariness or the frustrations I encounter today, I will not be afraid to face it because You, oh God, are with me. I will choose to keep my eyes on You. You are my strength and shield, my ever present help in time of trouble.

You will give me wisdom in all I say and show me things I don’t yet know. You placed Your Spirit in me to eliminate my weakness. There is nothing impossible for me because I believe every word You have spoken over me. I am Your child and You watch over Your own. It’s all for Your glory in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Psalm 23 The Message Bible

“Give generously and generous gifts will be given back to you, shaken down to make room for more. Abundant gifts will pour out upon you with such an overflowing measure that it will run over the top! Your measurement of generosity becomes the measurement of your return.” Luke 6:38 TPT

I watched from my chair at the beach as a grandmother handed each of her two grandsons a small bucket. To the she oldest she gave a spoon and to the youngest she gave a sand shovel and told them both, “The first one to fill their bucket gets to choose where we’ll eat lunch today.”

Quickly the oldest one complained, “Grams, that’s not fair! His shovel is bigger so he’s going to win.” To which ‘Grams’ replied, “The spoon is only a disadvantage if you let it be. I’m pretty sure you’ll figure it out!”

The oldest boy looked down, quickly dropped his spoon and used the bucket to dig down deep until in moments, it was overflowing with sand. Sometimes age has the advantage after all.

What a lesson to be learned here. Instead of looking at what we’ve been dealt in life and the little we have available to be generous with, perhaps we need to change our perspective, stop making excuses and just work with what we have. Trust me, once you do this, you’ll learn to become very creative.

Being raised in a poor pastors home, I would watch my mom feed people after church with whatever she had, and it wasn’t much. She never complained or turned anyone away. She could take a 1/2 pound of burger, a can of beans, a can of tomato soup and some potatoes from the garden and turn it into a delicious meal that everyone would ask the recipe for.

We were taught that if we had something, we could help someone. God will always provide for givers. You can’t out give God. He watches over every seed sown, nothing is lost to Him.

My friend, if you’re experiencing a need in your life right now and could use a blessing, change your perspective. Get your eyes off your need and look at your seed. What do you have in your cupboards? If it’s peanut butter and brown sugar, make a sandwich and find someone who looks hungry. Don’t look at what you’d like to do, look at what you can do. Learn to lay down your spoon and use your bucket.

2 Corinthians 9:10-11 TPT: This generous God who supplies abundant seed for the farmer, which becomes bread for our meals, is even more extravagant toward you. First he supplies every need, plus more. Then he multiplies the seed as you sow it, so that the harvest of your generosity will grow.  You will be abundantly enriched in every way as you give generously on every occasion, for when we take your gifts to those in need, it causes many to give thanks to God.

And why would you say, “But it’s none of my business”? The one who knows you completely and judges your every motive is also the keeper of souls—and not just yours! He sees through your excuses and holds you responsible for failing to help those whose lives are threatened. Proverbs 26:12 TPT

Have you ever met someone who has an excuse for everything? Each time you ask them to do something, you hear; “I can’t! I have to work,” “I can’t, I don’t have the money,” “I can’t, I have to wash my car,” “I can’t, I’ll be out of town.” What happens? After awhile you simply stop asking.

I’ve made them, you’ve made them, everyone has made excuses at one point in time. It’s what keeps us from over-committing or doing things we just don’t want to do. There is no way that any of us can do everything we’re asked to do, but can we please find some balance?

I believe God intended for us to help others, especially when we see a need. It’s easy to offer support in some way, even if it’s a cup of water, a word of hope, to pray with someone or just to listen.

Our society has become extremely self-centered. If it doesn’t benefit numero uno, we turn a blind eye and a deaf ear. We’re too busy to be involved in someone else’s drama. “How much are you going to give me if I do that?” Nothing! The reward is in the good feelings you’ll get because you did something good for someone else. “Not interested!”

Not interested until it’s them who is hungry, thirsty, lay bleeding on the ground. Not interested until it’s their child missing, or in jail, or the hospital. Not willing until their perspective changes and they see the world through the eyes of God who is unwilling that any should perish.

Matthew 25:41-46:

“Then to those on his left the King will say, ‘Leave me! For you are under the curse of eternal fire that has been destined for the devil and all his demons.  For when you saw me hungry, you refused to give me food, and when you saw me thirsty, you refused to give me something to drink.  I had no place to stay, and you refused to take me in as your guest. When you saw me poorly clothed, you closed your hearts and would not cover me. When you saw that I was sick, you didn’t lift a finger to help me, and when I was imprisoned, you never came to visit me.’

“And then those on his left will say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty and not give you food and something to drink? When did we see you homeless, or poorly clothed? When did we see you sick and not help you, or in prison and not visit you?’

“Then he will answer them, ‘Don’t you know? When you refused to help one of the least important among these my little ones, my true brothers and sisters, you refused to help and honor me.’  And they will depart from his presence and go into eternal punishment. But the godly and beloved ‘sheep’ will enter into eternal bliss.”

Change your perspective-change your destination. Make others your business!

Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for he always tenderly cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 TPT

We ought not to be carrying what we carry, but we do. In fact, we’ve carried it for so long that we’d be lonesome without it. Stress, worry, anxiety, care, whatever you want to call it, it is not your friend and you need to let it go!

Have you ever been around someone who has such a load on them that they walk with their head down? They wring their hands and say things like, “I don’t think I’m going to make it this time.” Every time they come around, it’s as if a heavy cloud of doom, gloom and despair is following after them. You could be standing in sunshine, and although they’re a few feet away from you, it’s cloudy and raining on them.

Pour out all your worries and stress upon Him and leave them there! That wasn’t a request, it was a command. Stop picking it up. Stop carrying it around like a friend. It’s causing you to age beyond your years. It’s a weight you weren’t meant to carry.

Let it go today and replace your spirit of heaviness with a spirit of joy by lifting up your praise to the God who tenderly cares for you. You’re so precious to Him and He longs to wrap His arms around you and give you peace. But here’s the thing, if your arms are full of cares, you can’t lift them up and be filled with joy.

Start every day with the choice to lay it down and let it go. When you first start to worry and be fearful, say out loud, “God has not given me the spirit of fear, but power, love and a sound mind! I will no fear. I let it go and I thank You Father for taking that from me. You’ll have to deal with this because I wasn’t meant to carry it around.”

If you’re looking at a pile of bills and there’s not enough money to pay them and eat, then I want you to say out loud, “Father, you said you would provide for all my needs out of YOUR riches, not mine. I’m going to pay my tithes and ask which bills you want me to pay first, believing that you will bring the money in that I need because You are my provider.”

If you’ve been handed a bad report from the doctor, I want you to lay it before the Lord and say out loud, “Father, I believe that Jesus bore all my sins, sickness and disease on his own body when he died on that cross so that I wouldn’t have to. I lay it down before you and I let it go into your very capable hands. You’re the great physician. Your mercies never fail, they are new every morning because you are forever faithful.”

Now lift your hands up and begin to shout your praise. God You are worthy! God You are mighty! God You will never leave me or forsake me. You won’t leave me in need for you supply all my needs. Thank You for your vast supply! You’re a gracious and wonderful God. Thank You for taking the cares and concerns from me. I trust in You with all my heart and won’t ever stop praising Your great name. Thank You Jesus! Amen.