Stop and smell the roses!

Today as I read Psalm 23:1-3, I am reminded that I need to change my perspective.  I need to quit looking at this transition that I am going through as challenging. But instead brace His truth. 

The Lord is my shepherd, I will not be in want!  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. Psalm 23:1-3

First of all - The Lord is my shepherd, I will not be in want.

Yep I need to quit looking at this change from a "I want...I want...I want" perspective. But instead, I need to know that I will not be in want...not be in want...not be in want.  The world has taught me to want however the Lord is teaching me that I will NOT want. 

Next if I pay attention enough I will see how throughout this transition - He has made me lie down in green pastures, He has led me beside quiet waters, He is restoring my soul. 

I've been so busy occupying my thoughts with what's next, that I've almost missed it.  

You see when I stop and look - I will see how He has made me lie down in green pastures (how many times have I gotten to pray with someone recently?). Oh and wait each morning - He leads me beside quiet waters - as I sit here reading His word on my porch with the sun coming up (seriously, how could I not see this as quiet waters). 

Yep, all of this time, He is restoring my soul. But I have been so preoccupied that I never stopped to notice - to smell His roses! 

Yep, today, tomorrow and forever - let's stop - stop to smell His roses.  No matter how big, bad or ugly our situation is - His rose is so much bigger, badder and prettier!  

Father, thank you for being our shepherd. May I always stop to smell your roses! Lie down in your green pastures!  Walk beside the quiet waters! Amen.

Wonder NO more!

You ever meet that person and you wonder what their faith is like?  Perhaps I am the only one that is still human in that way.

This happened to me recently.

Here I am listening to someone's story - taking the opportunity to stand in the gap for them as they tell it - and then find myself thinking - man they must have a hard time believing - having faith!

Then the door to talk about God is opened several more times (thank you God) and I see that they love God as much as I do - but still I think to myself (based on their religion upbringing) they must have a hard time believing - having faith.

Then here comes this person -again and they are asking for prayer and I am like - heck yeah - let's do it!

During the prayer I am called to thank God for their faith! And it happened - they were healed from their ailment (thank you God).

So why - why did I continue to wonder about their belief - their faith - through all of that???

Yeah yeah I know - because there is a lesson to be learned!

This morning, I am taken to Mark 7:24-30.  Jesus goes to a place in Tyre where He did not want anyone to know it - but this Greek woman finds him and...

"She begs him to drive out the demon out of her daughter" and this is what He says...

““First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the childrenʼs bread and toss it to the dogs.” 

“Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the childrenʼs crumbs.” 

Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.””  Mark ‭7:26-29‬ ‭NIV‬

‭So as I read it - I am like - well that was kinda rude Jesus! Are you calling her a dog?  And to be honest I don't get it.  Why would he refer to her as a dog?‬

‭And then I receive it! ‬

‭He shows me how we are to never underestimate someone's faith.  This "dog" illustration hit home because He knew that we as humans would associate "dogs" as below us. But, this "dog" believed just as much as His "children" in His story.  ‬

‭In that moment, I was humbled and had to do a little (ok, perhaps a lot of) repenting.  In some way - perhaps (as hard as it is to admit it) I was judging this person I was talking to - because their faith was different than mine.  Oh sure, I stood in the gap for them, but my wondering got in His way! ‬

‭Ughhhhhh!  ‬

‭Don't we sometimes do that (perhaps not‬ intentionally) - because someone doesn't look, act or behave as spiritually as we do - we wonder way tooooo much?  And in our wondering, we treat them differently?‬

‭What about the neighbor/friend/child that is an addict - do you wonder about them - is it possible that you treat them differently?‬

‭What about the person that has a disability at work - do you wonder about them - is it possible that you treat them differently?‬

‭What about the person that voted unlike you - do you wonder about them - is it possible that you treat them differently?‬

‭What about the person that comes from a different religion than you - do you wonder about them - is it possible that you treat them differently?‬

‭Am I the only one that wanders in my wondering?  So today's lesson was very humbling.  I need to stop wondering. Instead, I need to rebuke the religious and prideful spirit that is wanting me to underestimate someone's faith (including my own).  ‬

‭If you are wondering - then I rebuke the religious or prideful spirit that wants you to underestimate the faith of others (or yourself) in the name of Jesus‬

‭Wonder no more in the name of Jesus! ‬

‭***I just read my last two posts and guess what word is mentioned in each one - wonder.  Ya think He is trying to tell me something???‬

‭I really do have to STOP wondering! Because not only is the enemy wanting to use it to draw a wedge in my ability to stand in the gap for others - but also to stop me in believing in myself and my own faith in God.   Ughhhhhhhh!!!! I can't believe I fell for it! **‬

‭Yes!!!  I will wonder NO more in the name of Jesus! ‬

Just BE diligent!

Gotta love it when God feeds you the same message over and over.

This morning, I am taken back to Ezra chapter 6.  I seem to be in a triangle of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezra.  Not sure why, but I am sure it will come.

Chapter 6 is the decree to build the temple from Darius.  At the end he says...

Let it be carried out with diligence.  Ezra 6:12

This past weekend I was asked 3 times - why am I am doing what I am doing - and each time I started to wonder - why am I doing what I am doing?

Why am I changing careers after 20 years?
Why do I go to church in a different town?
Why do I lead a ministry in a different town?

Why? And then I answered them...I tell them the God stories behind each decision I made.

And then it hits me...OMG...I am finally being obedient.

Wow!  I am finally being obedient! And it feels good.

So this morning I receive God's word (again)...

Let it be carried out with diligence.  Ezra 6:1

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What is the assignment God has given you?  Are you ready to carry it out with diligence?

Let's just do it!
Let's carry it out with diligence!

If your wondering or finding yourself doubting about an assignment God has given you - then today my prayer is that the spirit of doubt is broken off of you - BROKEN off in the name of Jesus!

If your the one the enemy is using to block someone from their assignment - then I break that spirit off of you - BROKEN off in the name of Jesus!

Just do it!

BE DILIGENT in the name of Jesus!

Diligent!

You know when things aren't going "my" way I have a tendency to start wondering, even letting a little doubt creep in.  Of course, I know better now. So today I can easily rebuke the spirit of doubt, but then I become human again and I start wondering.

Why God? Why would you have me doing this and it not go "my" way.

Haha - As I write that - I realize how selfish it sounds - but it is who I am. I am human.

So this morning as I am seeking His truth about my current situations that are not going "my" way AND the enemy is working hard to put a spirit of doubt on me this is the message I get...

In these passages God has commissioned a team to rebuild the temple as a place to present sacrifices and for Him to dwell.

"Then because of the decree ...they carried it out with diligence." Ezra 6:13

Oh wait then I am brought to this passage..."whatever the God of heaven has prescribed, let it be done with diligence." Ezra 7:23

And that is where I start to tear up!  As I hear these words loud and clear!

Carry it out with diligence!
Carry it out with diligence!
Let it be done with diligence!
Let it be done with diligence!

That's it!  His truth! He wants us to be diligent!

And so my wondering stops and the spirit of doubt is broken. And His truth...His word prevails.

I will carry it out with diligence!
Yes!!!
I will do it with diligence!

Just do it Mynde!
Do it with diligence!

If your wondering or finding yourself doubting about an assignment God has given you or your current situation - then my prayer is that the spirit of doubt is broken off of you - BROKEN off in the name of Jesus!

If your the one the enemy is using to block someone from their assignment or place doubt over their situation  - then I break that doubting spirit off of you - BROKEN off in the name of Jesus!

Let us do it!
Just do it!

BE DILIGENT in the name of Jesus!

He WILL!

The last 3 days I have opened the Bible and I am taken to scripture about the enemy being defeated.

Ya think He is trying to tell us something???

Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.

The Lord will extend your scepter from Zion: you will rule in the midst of your enemies. Your troops will be willing in your day of battle. Arrayed in holy majesty from the womb of dawn you will receive the dew of your youth. 

The Lord is your right hand; He will crush kings on the day of His wrath.  Psalm 110 1-5

Yeah, I think He is!

He WILL make the enemy our footstool.
He WILL give us His scepter so that we WILL rule amongst the enemy. The enemy will NO longer rule us.
He WILL send troops to stand beside us, to fight for us, in the battle.
He WILL restore, redeem, transform us.

If you are under attack and feel like there is no hope - then today I pray that the spirit that has a yoke around your neck is broken..:BROKEN in the name of Jesus.

If you are attacking others and unknowingly serving the enemy -  then today I pray that the spirit that has a yoke around your neck is broken..:BROKEN in the name of Jesus.

HE WILL in the name of Jesus!

Stop it! Stop me!

There is only one person who has the right to not love others.  This is the one person that NEVER did anything wrong.

And I am not that person.  Instead, I am the person that has gossiped about others. I am the person that has hurt others with my words. I was a pro at sarcasm, cynicism, criticism, and returning evil with evil.  I could give it as good as I could get it.  You hurt me! I will hurt you!

But through all that...God never stopped loving me. Sure God may have been hurt by my actions but he never let go of me, never stopped walking beside me.  Praise God!

So today, I am reminded that we do NOT have the right to not love others.  We don't have the right to not forgive others. For the others that have hurt us are NO different than we are. They are fighting their own demons. They are fighting their own lies. They are fighting their own selfish desires.

Loving others no matter what - has been the biggest lesson I have been through.  Although others still hurt me today -  when that voice tells me to get even - I rebuke it.  I stand firm and I ask God to STOP IT and STOP ME from returning evil with evil - but I also ask Him to give me the strength to stand in the gap for the other person.  If what they are telling me is true (even if it hurts) let me see it.  If it isn't true then convict them.  And whatever it is they are fighting - let me fight on their behalf.

And it feels good. It feels good - no longer getting "even".  It feels good - pleasing God.

“If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see?

The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both.” 1 John‬ ‭4:20-21‬ ‭MSG‬‬

If you are carrying hate (un-forgiveness, bitterness, resentment, anger) in your heart because someone else hurt you - then today I pray those chains are broken..:BROKEN in the name of Jesus.

If you are the person speaking that hate (anger, bitterness, cynicism, criticism) over others - then today I pray that spirit, lie or selfish desire is broken...BROKEN off of you in the name of Jesus.

Stop it and Stop me in the name of Jesus!

Father, thank you for loving me through my hate. Today I pray for freedom from hate, teach us to love no matter what just like you did. Just like you do! Amen

Claim it...

Reading max Lucado "A love worth giving" and this harsh truth saddens me.  I was once someone who believed the lies.

"There is such power in belief. Robert Schiller said, "I am not who I think I am. I am not who you think I am. I am who you think I am.".  Right or wrong most people define themselves through other people's eyes.  Tell someone enough times they are stupid and they will believe they are stupid."

If you are carrying chains of other's beliefs around your neck - then today I pray those chains are broken..:BROKEN in the name of Jesus.

If you are the person speaking that brokenness over others - then today I pray that cynical (it was only a joke) spirit is broken...BROKEN off of you in the name of Jesus.

We are not who this world or other's believe us to be.  WE ARE who God believes us to be. We are highly favored, highly blessed, highly honored children of the High Almighty.

Claim it in the name of Jesus.

Father, thank you for giving me the option to claim your belief in me.  May I always choose to believe believe you and not the beliefs of others. Break these chains in the name of Jesus. Amen.

p.s. I know it's been a while since I last posted and oh how I've missed it.  I've been waiting on God to reveal when it is time again. And now is the time.  His new year revolution for me was to rebuke smarter not harder.  Therefore my guess is that will be the theme of His teachings for me and what I will be sharing (if His will).

As He reveals the lies of the enemies, He will give us simple smarter ways to fight back. We may even find ourselves standing in the gap for others as part of fighting back. We will see...