Well, here it is: the middle of January! Ray and I have been doing a lot of praying and asking God what He would have for us this new year. I can't say we have a clear answer, but we do have three definite Words that I'd like to share with you:
1. TRANSITION.
According to Webster, Transition means: passage from one state, stage, or place to another; to change; a movement, development or evolution from one form, stage, or style to another.
Things are changing, not only in the world around us, but in our personal lives. We as individuals are transitioning into something. And although we don't completely know what God has in store for us this year, we do have a response. We say "Yes". Yes, we will go where He says go; do what He says do; live as He says live. We say "Yes!"
2. PREPARE
To Prepare is to get ready:
a. SPIRITUALLY in our relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, developing eyes to see, ears to hear, and minds to comprehend what the Spirit is saying and where He is leading. It means taking the time to keep our oil full and ready. We have learned the value of Prayer, especially in the Spirit, and have committed to spend significant time allowing Him to pray through us.
b. MENTALLY We guard what we see and hear, what we allow our minds to dwell on. Fear has to be eradicated, and we are guarding against negativity in our thoughts and in our speech. Distractions come from many sources, but we guard against time-stealers and focus-robbers. Our decisions are made with a Kingdom mindset as we live our lives according to God's purpose as opposed to our own whims and comfort.
c. PHYSICALLY This is perhaps the most challenging for me, but I am determined to get healthy physically. God heals us body, mind, and soul...but it all takes our cooperation. Loosing weight, eating healthy, fasting, and UGH...Exercising...are all part of the "presenting your body as living sacrifices for this is your reasonable act of worship." It's not fun, but it's for the Kingdom!!
All of this culminates in the last Word for this Season:
3. STAND
Stand is defined (again by Webster) as stopping; a halt for defense or resistance; an often defensive effort of some duration or degree of success; a stop made to give a performance; a place or post where one stands; a strongly or agressively held position, etc. 1 Cor. 15:58 says "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith;"
This morning as I was reading and praying, I came across a verse in Isaiah that I don't think I'd pondered on before: Isaiah 7:9b "If you don't stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." The NKJV says it this way: "If you will not believe, surely you will not be established."
There is a strength, a peace, an assurance that comes from standing. When we KNOW what we believe and in WHOM we believe, we can stand and be established. We are able to confidently say "Yes!"
2011 promises to be a great adventure. As we go through this year of Transition, as we Prepare for whatever God has for us, we determine to Stand firm in our faith!
Afterall, OUR GOD REIGNS!
Stay Focused On Him,
Ann
Friday, January 14, 2011
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Christmas Focus
It's Christmas, and althought there is a great deal of hype and commercialism attached to this season, I want to encourage you to look past the glitz and into the truth of Jesus. His birth is marked by Old Testament prophecies, New Testament realities, and life lessons that are as applicable today as they were then. I love to study the events leading up to the Birth and I marvel at the character of the common people God chose to work through.
Luke 1:39 - 45 is an example of many powerful lessons. Here we find pregnant Elizabeth, old and well past child-bearing age, greeting Mary, her teenager cousin who is also pregnant. Elizabeth had believed a Word spoken to her by an angel many years ago, and finally saw the fulfillment of the promise when she thought the possibility was, well, impossible!
Lesson #1: Never give up. If God promises you something, stand on it. Write it down and review it often. He is faithful in His time to complete what He said He would do.
And let's not forget Mary. She was engaged, still a virgin, and so young! Many scholars put her at around age 12 or 13 without the advantage of education, modern medicine, and all the knowledge of science that we have. She must have been a bit frightened with the changes in her body and the feelings she was experiencing...not to mention the fact that as an unwed mother she could have been stoned! Nevertheless, like Elizabeth, she also was visited by an angel, but unlike having to endure a long wait, her promise happened immediately. She simply said "May it be to me as you have said." In other words, she said "yes".
Lesson #2: How God works with one person isn't necessarily how He will work with another. He is God, and His ways are His ways. We simply say "Yes" and trust Him.
As I marvel at these two strong women with such different personalities, it's verse 45 that wraps it all up for me: "Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" This is a promise for us today. We are "blessed" when we choose to believe that God is faithful to His word. It will be accomplished...perhaps not when we think it should, but He will accomplish His word in His time. It's all defined by Lesson #3:
Lesson #3: Focus On Him! When we keep our eyes on the goal (His promises), we can trust that He will do what He's said regardless of circumstances or the seasons we are seeing around us.
What has God promised you? What words has He whispered to your heart? Have you let them drop to the ground or are you still standing, believing, and focusing on His faithfulness?
Remember and say like Elizabeth: "Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"
Stay Focused On Him!
Ann
Luke 1:39 - 45 is an example of many powerful lessons. Here we find pregnant Elizabeth, old and well past child-bearing age, greeting Mary, her teenager cousin who is also pregnant. Elizabeth had believed a Word spoken to her by an angel many years ago, and finally saw the fulfillment of the promise when she thought the possibility was, well, impossible!
Lesson #1: Never give up. If God promises you something, stand on it. Write it down and review it often. He is faithful in His time to complete what He said He would do.
And let's not forget Mary. She was engaged, still a virgin, and so young! Many scholars put her at around age 12 or 13 without the advantage of education, modern medicine, and all the knowledge of science that we have. She must have been a bit frightened with the changes in her body and the feelings she was experiencing...not to mention the fact that as an unwed mother she could have been stoned! Nevertheless, like Elizabeth, she also was visited by an angel, but unlike having to endure a long wait, her promise happened immediately. She simply said "May it be to me as you have said." In other words, she said "yes".
Lesson #2: How God works with one person isn't necessarily how He will work with another. He is God, and His ways are His ways. We simply say "Yes" and trust Him.
As I marvel at these two strong women with such different personalities, it's verse 45 that wraps it all up for me: "Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" This is a promise for us today. We are "blessed" when we choose to believe that God is faithful to His word. It will be accomplished...perhaps not when we think it should, but He will accomplish His word in His time. It's all defined by Lesson #3:
Lesson #3: Focus On Him! When we keep our eyes on the goal (His promises), we can trust that He will do what He's said regardless of circumstances or the seasons we are seeing around us.
What has God promised you? What words has He whispered to your heart? Have you let them drop to the ground or are you still standing, believing, and focusing on His faithfulness?
Remember and say like Elizabeth: "Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"
Stay Focused On Him!
Ann
Monday, October 4, 2010
Trust
All week long I've had the words of this old hymn running through my mind:
"Jesus, Jesus, how I trust You,
How I've proved You o're and o're.
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus,
Oh for grace to trust You more!"
Trust. It's almost a frightening word, isn't it? Frightening because it becomes active in the midst of challenges. And yet, Trust is what preceeds Peace.
Isaiah 26:3 says "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trustsTRUSTS in You."
Do you want peace? Then trust. Sounds simple, but it's a minute by minute Focus On Him!
Verse 4 continues the promise: "Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal."
Stay Focused On Him, Princess Warriors. We can trust Him.
Ann
"Jesus, Jesus, how I trust You,
How I've proved You o're and o're.
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus,
Oh for grace to trust You more!"
Trust. It's almost a frightening word, isn't it? Frightening because it becomes active in the midst of challenges. And yet, Trust is what preceeds Peace.
Isaiah 26:3 says "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trustsTRUSTS in You."
Do you want peace? Then trust. Sounds simple, but it's a minute by minute Focus On Him!
Verse 4 continues the promise: "Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal."
Stay Focused On Him, Princess Warriors. We can trust Him.
Ann
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Question & Answer
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalm 23:6 NIV)
Question: How do you know you're healed of the trauma, hurt and wounds of your past?
Answer: When you can look at your past and see the goodness and love of God following you, instead of the anger, hurt, and pain.
You get to the goodness and love by keeping your eyes on Jesus.
Stay focused!
Ann
Question: How do you know you're healed of the trauma, hurt and wounds of your past?
Answer: When you can look at your past and see the goodness and love of God following you, instead of the anger, hurt, and pain.
You get to the goodness and love by keeping your eyes on Jesus.
Stay focused!
Ann
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Where You go I'll go, what You say, I'll say.....
In pondering the lessons we can learn from the Woman with the Issue of Blood (Mark 5:25), my eye went back to Mark 5:21. I wanted to see where Jesus had been before He encountered her, and where He was going. Turns out, He was in a big hurry! He was teaching when Jairus came to Him about his sick daughter, but Jesus' reaction is a remarkable glimpse into His focus.
Jesus didn't go anywhere by coincidence. Even though many times He avoided the crowds of people, He chose to walk into the crowds in His journey to Jairus' home. Now, Jesus was always mindful of His mission. John 12 tells us He only said what He heard the Father say. He only went where He knew the Father told Him to go. His timing was always the Father's. So, it's not an accident that He chose to walk into the crowds. He knew there was a reason. He knew!
Even though it was urgent that He get to the home of Jairus as quickly as possible, He still took the time to walk through the crowds....to position Himself and give opportunity for an ill woman to reach Him...and to touch the Hem of His garment.
He knew she was there. He knew she had need. He knew He would heal her if she would reach out and touch Him. So He made Himself available. He took the time.
This is a beautiful picture of the love, grace, and mercy of Jesus. He makes time for you and I! He positions Himself so that when we seek Him, when we reach for Him...He's there!
Touch Him! He has time for you!
Focused On Him,
Ann
Jesus didn't go anywhere by coincidence. Even though many times He avoided the crowds of people, He chose to walk into the crowds in His journey to Jairus' home. Now, Jesus was always mindful of His mission. John 12 tells us He only said what He heard the Father say. He only went where He knew the Father told Him to go. His timing was always the Father's. So, it's not an accident that He chose to walk into the crowds. He knew there was a reason. He knew!
Even though it was urgent that He get to the home of Jairus as quickly as possible, He still took the time to walk through the crowds....to position Himself and give opportunity for an ill woman to reach Him...and to touch the Hem of His garment.
He knew she was there. He knew she had need. He knew He would heal her if she would reach out and touch Him. So He made Himself available. He took the time.
This is a beautiful picture of the love, grace, and mercy of Jesus. He makes time for you and I! He positions Himself so that when we seek Him, when we reach for Him...He's there!
Touch Him! He has time for you!
Focused On Him,
Ann
Friday, July 16, 2010
Thoughts
Here are a couple of thoughts for you to ponder this week....
We are called to be influencers not the influenced. If we are so well adjusted to our culture that we fit in without even thinking about it, our eyes are focused horizontally. If our culture accepts us without any challenges, our eyes are on the culture around us rather than on the Kingdom of God.
What you fix your eyes on is what you are drawn to. What you think about is what you become. Focus on Jesus. Fix your eyes on Him and be transformed to be like Him.
It requires a choice and a response. It results in peace.
Focused On Him,
Ann
We are called to be influencers not the influenced. If we are so well adjusted to our culture that we fit in without even thinking about it, our eyes are focused horizontally. If our culture accepts us without any challenges, our eyes are on the culture around us rather than on the Kingdom of God.
What you fix your eyes on is what you are drawn to. What you think about is what you become. Focus on Jesus. Fix your eyes on Him and be transformed to be like Him.
It requires a choice and a response. It results in peace.
Focused On Him,
Ann
Saturday, June 19, 2010
The Knots Prayer
THE KNOTS PRAYER
Dear God:
Please untie the knots
That are in my mind,
My heart and my life.
Remove the have nots,
The can nots and the do nots
That I have in my mind.
Erase the will nots,
May nots,
Might nots that may find a home in my heart
Release me from the could nots,
Would nots and
Should nots that obstruct my life.
And most of all,
Dear God,
I ask that you remove from my mind,
My heart and my life all of the ‘am nots’
That I have allowed to hold me back,
Especially the thought
That I am not good enough.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
-Author known to God
Dear God:
Please untie the knots
That are in my mind,
My heart and my life.
Remove the have nots,
The can nots and the do nots
That I have in my mind.
Erase the will nots,
May nots,
Might nots that may find a home in my heart
Release me from the could nots,
Would nots and
Should nots that obstruct my life.
And most of all,
Dear God,
I ask that you remove from my mind,
My heart and my life all of the ‘am nots’
That I have allowed to hold me back,
Especially the thought
That I am not good enough.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
-Author known to God
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