I do believe the mind is complex and learns to distinguish the difference between a true genuine danger and one that is rising from a previous experience. Both can be debilitating and can rob you of living life to its full potential and can crush relationships.
Join me as I share my thoughts and meditation about that ugly 4 letter word we know as FEAR.
Click on the link below to listen to Episode 21
‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’Isaiah 41:10
I sought the Lord, and He answered me. And delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
Meaning of dwell to live or continue in a given condition or state: to dwell in happiness. to linger over, emphasize, or ponder in thought, speech, or writing.
The word dwell is in the Bible approximately 510 times in Bible.
I have heard the statement that God dwells in me?But when we hear these words what does that truly mean? How? Just how does this happen? What about Jesus? What about the Holy Spirit? Won’t it be crowded in there ??
When we are searching for that missing piece in our lives I find we ask those types of questions.
But when you find Him. The word dwell takes on a new meaning.
I have found Him to be such a gentleman. And over time He has taught me that they are all one. So, when we open our hearts to Him ... Our souls become alive... It's at that very moment we began a journey of discovering the intricately woven details of our Heavenly Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit... It’s not something that is forced... It becomes such a spiritual love story between you and your Creator ... This relationship holds such magic, such intimacy.That we crave to dwell in the moments with Him. We began to linger on His every word. His Spirit breathes a new life into our souls with a love like nothing you have ever known...
It's at that very moment you realize that you can not live without Him in your life... So you commit your heart to Him and invite Him to dwell within you forever till the end of time ... Because life without Him would never be the same...
It’s Him, It’s always Him
He completes us...
“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” John14:16-18NASB
If you’ve got pain, He’s a Pain Taker, If you feel lost,He’s a Way Maker.If you need freedom or saving, He’s a Prison-Shaking Savior.If you’ve got chains, He’s a Chain Breaker. Zach Williams..
Written by: Joann Turnbull
When this word captured me. I could not move. I thought I was forever bound…Is there a price on life?Do we get bogged down? Are our burdens weighing us down… Does our heart get chained? Do we forget how to live, how to love, and even how to breathe?
As I felt this heaviness in my soul my mind went here.
Life can be bound by bitterness, fear, unforgiveness, hurt, or fear of what others might think. If we are held down by these chains we will not move either. We will just stay in that spot.
There is a region of the Atlantic Ocean near the equator that has no wind, current or movement, and sudden storms. It is called Doldrums. Sailors feared this spot. They could be there for days or months. If they were trapped in the Doldrums their ship could not get out. Their sails needed the wind.
We can stay chained in the doldrums spiritually for many reasons. We can stay trapped. Our life will become dull, inactive, sad, and without enthusiasm.
How does the ship get out of the Doldrums? Eventually, the wind will begin to blow. But sometimes not before the crew is down to almost no rations. The wind that finally hits the sails with such power makes the sails come alive and the ship starts moving. And it is no longer trapped in that dead spot.
What about us? Do we want to stay in the doldrums of life? Chained down by fear, unforgiveness, bitterness, fear of what man will think of us. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring His wind into your life. You will come alive with His mighty wind. Where you were once bound you are now set free from those negative emotions and thoughts. We become alive with His love.
So don’t start the new year hanging on to negative thoughts and emotions. They were all about self anyway. This life we are living is not about us. It is about Him. Seek Him with all your heart. Love Him with all your heart, soul, and mind. You will be amazed when you are set free. You are set free to love Him and others. And you will want to share His love. Life with Him in control is full of joy and excitement. You want to dance and sing as you realize you are free. He is the lover of your soul. Break the chains of a bogged down life. He will remind you how to live, How to love and He will free you to breathe again…
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
"Real faith never disappoints because it is in God, grounded on His character, promises, covenant, and oath." ~ Aiden Wilson Tozer...
Meaning of oath a solemn promise, often invoking a divine witness, regarding one's future action or behavior: something (such as a promise) corroborated by an oath.
There are approximately 35 Bible Verses about Oaths.
What is an oath? Is it a vow? Is it a promise? Maybe a commitment?
Do we even take oaths any more? I have witnessed politicians and many US Presidents take oaths as they lay their hand on top of the Bible and repeat these words “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Do you ever wonder why or how this tradition came to be ?? Why the Bible?
Well, it is interesting that swearing on the Bible, seems to have started back in President Washington’s day, it was seen as basically promising God you would do what you swear to do, with fear of God punishing you keeping you from breaking your oath.
When we place our hand on the leather-bound pages of God's word... Do we go through the motions to show others that image? In hopes, they see something that may be a superficial ritual. But it may convince others that they have God's blessing.
I wish we had the ability to see their heart? Do they truly know what even happened between the pages from Genesis to Revelations? Have they studied our Heavenly Father's word???
Many think that being President is the most powerful most important position in our world...
But I met someone that reigns with the utmost power. The utmost grace. The utmost Love... There is no one anywhere that can even come close. He wows me.
Why is it that we only witness political or highly connected figures taking an oath .. ( now I am sure there are oaths that are taken daily but they are not given such worldwide media coverage. )
But I would like to simplify and personalize our oath process .. God has given us many oaths but my favorites are His unconditional love. His forgiveness is like nothing I have ever witnessed. A gentleness soft, kind, and a commitment to never leave us for eternity.
As children of our Heavenly Father we pray, we worship, we claim to love Him! But are we willing to take an oath, a vow, a promise? Are we truly committed 💯 percent?
Here are my thoughts on an oath.
I will make this oath with an open heart, and soul! And I will try with all my might to listen to His whispers and follow His direction.
Oath ❤❤❤
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute to the best of my ability the words in this amazing book we know as the Bible. I will commit my heart to follow my Savior Jesus Christ and my Father in Heaven and will vow to listen to the Holy Spirit and learn more about them each day. I will work towards living a life that will reflect His teachings and light. I will share His love with others... I will commit to not just lay my hands on top of the leather-bound book we know as the Bible. But I will commit to open the pages from Genesis to Revelations ... and discover what He wants to reveal to my heart. I will continue as long as I have a breath, to love, honor, and discover more of HIM.
It’s Him, it’s always Him
I challenge you to write down your oath.. Make that commitment.
“And I will send the fulfillment of the Father’s promise to you. So stay here in the city until the mighty power of heaven falls upon you and wraps around you.””Luke 24:49 TPT
”I have sworn by Myself, The word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness and will not turn back,That to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance. Isaiah 45:23
But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. Psalms 1:2
The meaning of disappearing ceases to be visible.
The word Disappear is in the Bible approximately (61 instances) Disappeared (28 instances) Melt (41 instances) Vanish (30 instances)
This word tried very hard to disappear from my mind... But it continued to haunt me until I said ok, ok I am here...
Have you ever felt so vulnerable, so overwhelmed, so confused.. maybe even frightened that you wished you could just disappear?? I know this thought has crossed my mind a few times... It has even happened as I traveled into this unfamiliar territory with God.
But what are we truly running from ?? I feel sometimes things look scarier than they truly are ?? When we are confused they can become bigger than life. We have a tendency to look at the mountain before us instead of stepping out in faith and trusting God...
Sometimes we just need to hold our breath and just jump... Risking is part of life... Risking is part of growing... Why do we worry about other people's opinions? What makes us want that expectance? Why do we look to people instead of God for our validation?
It's ironic to me that it seems that the risk-takers are the visible ones... They risk living life without boundaries... They risk looking silly in other people's eyes as they chase their dreams... They risk loving with all of their heart, even when people don't understand!!
Are you a risk-taker? Do you live life to it’s fullest? Will you leave your mark on this world or will the day come when you disappear like a vapor in the wind?
Or have you already disappeared? Or are you dormant, just standing on the sidelines?
Do you know that in-complacency can slowly make you fade from view?? I hope you get excited when I tell you that I know without a doubt we can never fade from our Father's grace.
I have found myself trying to understand why people run and hide and disappear from love ??? That one hit close to home ?? And it is a subject I will never understand... It is an action that has left scars...
Disappearing can be lonely...
It can act as a band-aid for a much deeper problem ... The problem will never get resolved... It will continue to show its ugly head time and time again... Have you ever heard you can run but you can not hide?? I finally realize what that truly means... God, It means God... He is always with us... He knows our every thought... Our every action! Our every prayer!
Now I don't know about you but I find that amazing!
I will also share a secret that I have discovered about Him...
Shh...don't tell anyone... I am only going to share this with you...
If you don't know this by now? I love running and hiding with Him... Disappearing with Him is the most beautiful feeling in our world... Just think He knows our every thought. He knows how we feel... He knows everything about us!!!He loves us unconditionally... I must say it does not get any better than that!!
Oh my, please excuse me...while I disappear...mediating with Him is the best medicine for the soul. .... He WOWS me. 🥰
It's Him, it's always Him
“Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings”
“You shall therefore love the Lord your God, and always keep His charge, His statutes, His ordinances, and His commandments. Deuteronomy 11:1
Meaning of God in certain other religions a superhuman being or spirit worshiped as having power over nature or human fortunes; a deity:
In the King James Version of the Bible, God is found in the Old Testament 2862 times, and in the New Testament 1202 times, for a total of 4064 times.
I can't believe we have studied over 365 words and have danced around this word but never truly had the courage to tackle such a massive beautiful heartfelt word... This word made me stop dead in my tracks, This word made me go deeper within myself than I have ever dreamed possible. This word breathed life into my soul ...
When we stand before this word we are humbled, We are in awe. We are vulnerable. We feel a love that will baffle the mind but we can feel His gentleness in our hearts.
He is so many things to so many people. There truly are not enough words to describe Him.
I ask you, how would you describe Him? What does He mean to you? Do you ever write your prayers?
I am going to ask you to take out a piece of paper and a pen...
Play music that gently speaks to your soul..
Write the words, Dear God. Speak to Him from your heart !!
I will start...
Here is a peek at mine,
Dear God,
Hi again, I have a difficult time calling you God... That name is so formal. Many months ago we decided that I could call you Love because that is what I think of ..when I think of you!!! Love, there are so many hurting hearts in my world that need you! Please help them find their way to you!So many people ask you for so many things? Are you overwhelmed!I want nothing, I have the best gift one could ever receive! I have you !!
What can I do for you ?? Is there something you need?
Help me fill in the blanks. I will wait to hear your voice.
Thank you for blessing me with such an amazing journey... It still boggles my mind!
Please keep the souls you have placed in my heart safe. Let them feel this amazing love!!
You still wow me!!
It’s you, it’s always you!
I am forever your child.
It’s me, it’s always me thank you for your love.. and thank you for never getting tired of hearing my voice!
Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. ESV
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
Meaning of new not existing before; made, introduced, or discovered recently or now for the first time.
The word new is mentioned 150 times * The word newly is mentioned 2 times * The word newness is mentioned 2 times.
We are all standing at the brink of something new... a new day, a new month, a new year.
It’s time to reflect on our past and look to our future with wonder and hope for a brighter tomorrow. I know you are asking. How can we do this our world is in such turmoil. There is hate. There is discord. There is a relentless virus... There is sadness in my heart when I think of what we have lost... And I could stay in that mindset... I could bathe myself in this depression and despair daily ... I could allow myself to wallow in this darkness.
But you see I can’t... Because I found a beauty that lives in my soul. And I will admit it I can't contain it!! I just have to share it. This has changed my direction. It has changed what and who I value. This LOVE shines from heaven above. It has filled my soul with the wonderment of a child. It has filled my heart with a NEW song... It has given me NEW hope. He has given me a New outlook on life... He singularly can work miracles. He can turn our grey skies blue. His Love is like nothing you will ever experience on this earth ...
When you have felt Him in your heart ... You are driven by an unknown force that brings you peace no matter the circumstance. You began to focus on His promise of a heavenly existence for eternity. And as this transition happens ... The things of this life become less difficult because you will realize that our very existence is only a temporary condition all life must experience.
So, as I share this amazing new gift with you ... Let’s work together to focus on Him... Together let’s see that light shine from Heaven.. and let’s hold on to the hope of a brighter tomorrow.
It’s Him, it’s always him
Can I hear an Amen !!! Happy NEW Year !!!
Play the song below and sing it with me !!
Hallelujah, let's sing it's a NEW day!!
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6)
NOW available... CLICK on the above link to listen
In this episode, we will explore a word from our Bible word study and a mediation story that unfolded.
I will ask you do you think you are courageous? When trouble arises do we run to help? Or do we run away and hide ?? Life has many challenges, health, finances, relationships. During my life, I have witnessed single parents having the courage to step up to the plate for their children time and time again. I have seen friends come and stand firm and offer a shoulder when life gets messy. I have seen families hold each other up during life trials. I have witnessed courage in the face of life-threatening illnesses.
I do believe courage comes in all sizes from the simplest gesture to the biggest heroic event. But where and how do we get the strength to execute this type of courage? Follow me as we explore this word further.
”Love is like a butterfly, a rare and gentle thing.” – Dolly Parton
Meaning of butterfly: a nectar-feeding insect with two pairs of large, typically brightly colored wings that are covered with microscopic scales.
Butterflies in the Bible are not expressly found in Scripture but they seem to parallel to the Christian walk...
As I laid back with my eyes closed this morning and prayed. I had a very random thought jump into my head “The butterfly and the soul”... I found this strange because I was not thinking of butterflies or souls. So why? hmm is there more to this thought? Is there a lesson? Did God plant that thought into my mind to feel my fluttering heart ?? Or perhaps to let His love give me the feeling of butterflies in my soul?
Have you ever studied a fragile butterfly and truly wonder how did this beauty start out as such a squirmy insect? Let's start at the beginning and try to find a deeper understanding of this big word metamorphosis.
The butterfly life cycle includes four stages: stage one: egg; stage two: caterpillar stage three: pupa; and stage four: adult butterfly. Butterflies transform through these stages. This transformation is called metamorphosis.
Now when we look at our souls, and we take steps closer and closer towards Christ we can see parallels. Our Personal Cycles of Transformation, Rebirth, and Renewal become quite evident...
As we study Christ and move towards His lifestyle and His way of thinking a metamorphosis of our mind, body, and soul can be felt stirring deep within.
I can only speak of my experience and my observation of others that are on the same journey of chasing Christ. Many of us are in different stages of our walk with Him as well as in our lives.
I do think once you accept Christ into your heart. Your once dormant soul will begin its journey. I feel all believers are much like the Monarch butterfly we start our soul’s migration towards home...
There seem to be many changes that happen to each Christian depending on their life trials. We are all a work in progress just traveling towards our final destination at different rates of speed.
As our soul hears the call of our Creator and we began to follow Him. Many of us will experience rejection. Many of us will experience loneliness. Many will withdraw, many will go to their safe cocoon to regroup, and to learn about this great love they have found.
This love will teach us about life and love and it will give us the promise that we are never alone. Each one of us will go through a personal experience with Christ. One that only the one chasing Him will deeply understand.
He will bring us through the most amazing transformation of our lives. He tenderly teaches His precious little souls the importance of each day. The importance of each life. The importance of loving. And the beauty of life itself.
As we grow stronger in His loving hands. A beautiful soul will emerge. And you will find He has filled you with His love and He has given you wings to fly. He will release your once dormant soul to taste the freedom to love without boundaries. It’s a love that you never knew even existed.
Your LOVE for Him and your metamorphosis makes this new birth your story and your life’s purpose. If we would just take the time to study nature we would see the many clues He has laid before us… His knowledge, His Love, His beauty, His caring heart…
He ....
There truly are not enough words in all the languages in the world to describe Him…
There is a major difference between an idea and a thought inspired by God.
Meaning of inspire: fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative:
There are 9 Bible verses about the inspiration of Scripture.
What is it that inspires us? Where does that vision and that drive come from? Who are these creatives that can see a blank canvas and know how to mix the colors and paints to create a masterpiece? Or take a few words and weave them with a melody and create music? Who is it that can take an idea and bring this thought to life?
Does it take a mastermind? Does it come from the heart? Or perhaps the soul?
Rumor has it the Bible was inspired by God. I do believe all inspiration originates from God. Whether we want to admit it or not. The creative mind is a gift from God... The talent is a beautiful part of who we are. There are no 2 humans exactly alike...
I like to think of myself as a creative person. I dabbled in a few different avenues that many would consider artsy. But many things finally came to light when the Holy Spirit threw a LOVE bomb my way.
I found a new inspiration I found a LOVE that fueled a desire to chase .. and chase hard. Writing began to become more important than ever before. I stepped out of the shadows.. and into His light.
Yes, He inspired me to LOVE life... He inspired me to see things with my spiritual eyes... He inspired me to feel emotions from the deepest chambers of my heart...
When you are inspired by God many things become possible... He knows your heart, He knows the gifts He has given you! He inspires His children to become better with each passing day.
He also knows our insecurities, our doubts, and our vulnerabilities. But His beauty will slowly reverse those negative emotions and fill you with confidence, and strength. Thus allowing you to grow into the person only He truly knows you can be.
He is an amazing inspiration! He supports our journey with beautiful understanding and a loving heart...
However, my question becomes where does He find His inspiration? He is the master of creation. His artistry defies all human imagination... What kind of mind is this ?? What kind of mastery is this? What kind of wonder is this?
I personally believe He is self-motivated... His inspiration is motivated by LOVE, and He is LOVE... I can only bow my head in admiration. He leaves me speechless... I am inspired by His majestic splendor ... He Wows me!!
It’s Him, It’s Only Him !!
“Every Scripture has been inspired by the Holy Spirit, the breath of God. It will empower you by its instruction and correction, giving you the strength to take the right direction and lead you deeper into the path of godliness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 TPT
