Ezekiel

How far does God go for me, to alien me with Him?

I was lead to Ezekiel today and did some reading in chapter 36 and then read chapter 37!  Wow!  This then lead me to doing just a little bit of background research on Ezekiel.  By research I mean I googled "Who was Ezekiel" in google.  Between reading chapter 37 and my little bit of research, it really got me thinking.  Sometimes our purpose can be a bit challenging.  I mean really who wants to be sent to an outcast city and then have to be used by God to teach into the people about the things that really they should not be doing and really why they are in the outcast city!  Not Me!!  Ezekiel was most likely not liked and I am pretty sure people would walk the other way when they saw him!  Ezekiel was used by God to pull His children back to Him and show them the trueness in God!

This got me thinking: 
I must say, I don't think I have ever allowed God to have 100% of me!  There have been chapters in my life that there was such a strong connection with my Father, that it truly felt amazing...but I have yet to give Him ALL of me!!

Do I want an Ezekiel in your life:
As I read more in Ezekiel - I have realized I do not ever want an Ezekiel in my life!  Because, that would mean that I had wonder so very far from God that he had to go to extreme measures to pull me back!  (As I sit and write, I keep stopping to really take in what I am writing...it is not fun to do!)  The reality is, God goes to the extreme daily for me and you!!  I am that loved by Him and so are you!  DAILY He fights for me!  Daily he places an Ezekiel in my life path, not for judgment but for me to see myself through His eyes and for me to see that this world needs me because I have a purpose!  By me not being willing to give Him 100% of me there is a chance that my purpose may be missed simply because I am not aliening myself with my Father and trusting him with my life.  

What if I hold back from God:
So here is a thought, when I choose not to allow God to have all of me I may miss my purpose and because of me missing my purpose that next process that is needed from my purpose will never begin.  By me missing my purpose that next person will miss their purpose and then the next and next and next!!  It can be a rippling effect, a much bigger one that we can imagine!!  By me being selfish and not TRUSTING God enough for just my life, I am in a nut shell affecting another child of God, that needs me to trust God 100% so they in return can see that trust in God through another human!  (is your mind blown like mine was when God placed this within me today!!!) 
Let me clarify this if I can - we all were created by God for a purpose, this is a fact!  But by withholding a part of us from God, doesn't' mean we can not still be used for our purpose.  He is God and can do much with little!

Closing thoughts:
Life is NOT about me or you!!  It is about being His vessel and being WILLING to be used for things that may hurt, seem confusing, can be ugly, scary, hard, uncomfortable, easy, fun, exciting, challenging...in the end our purpose has a next chapter to it.  We have to be WILLING to connect our purpose to the next chapter (and often we will NEVER get recognition for this - no name mentioned, no pat on the back, no well done friend...nothing!).  We may never truly know the impact of our purpose or even see the outcome or know the people that are all connected BUT our purpose means (I love this) one day our eyes will be opened and when we finally see our full purpose it will be so overwhelming because we will be standing with Jesus and he will say

"See it is beautiful, all this from your purpose - this my child is beautiful!!  

Prayer:  Lord, I know I have to trust you and know that your ways are higher and you are weaving all things together!

Light vs Darkenss

Ephesians 5

God, you are Light!  Nothing ever bad comes through You!  You will light our path when darkness from this sinful world hits us or when simply unwanted things enter our lives, because YES it will hit and we must be able to see light to feel safe, not alone, HOPE, not lost, comforted, relief, capable, able  to see when darkness comes!

Imagine getting home at midnight and pulling up to your house and no outside light on - darkness.  Now enter your house and the light switch will not work - darkness.  You are surrounded in complete utter darkness!  Atomically you begin to feel – anxiety, fear, alone, vulnerable, scared, panic, claustrophobic, (this truly makes my heart race simply typing this)!  Then you try the light switch one more time (you have already tried it 100 times) and all of a sudden you are surrounded by light!!  The complete and utter darkness is instantly – instantly -  gone!  Now you feel – relief, comfort, warmth, gratefulness, peace, happiness, joy, overhelmness, thankfulness, calmness, hope. 

These are things that God - who is Light - brings daily into us, if we allow Him.  There will always be darkness – BUT – the darkness doesn’t’ have to control us!

Living a life with God doesn’t keep us safe or untouched by the darkness – BUT – it allows a constant light to shine so we are never alone in the dark!  We will always have a sense of Hope, Joy, Love , Grace and we won’t feel alone when we chose to allow God to light our life and shine brighter than our darkness.

 So when darkness edges closer and invades our space (because you all know it will), it will be hard, devastating at times, depressing, unimaginable – BUT – it will be impossible to stay in that mindset because God Is Our Light!  When He is our light we will be able to walk through that darkness that has invaded our space and know that we are not walking it alone and have faith that God is the only one who can fight the darkness and defeat it!!  We will never know what the outcome of our darkness will be – BUT – we will never doubt that God will Fight!!

Lent Day 15-24

Lent Day 15-24

Mark 1 - Luke 9

So apparently I have gotten a little behind of keeping up with Lent on the blog!  I have been daily in His word for Lent but unfortunately have allowed some heaviness to hold me down for a about a week or so.  I do not like the feeling and who I turn into when I allow my flesh to become bogged down by my emotions.  I have learned over the last few weeks that I tend to lead with my emotions.  Which is a dangerous path for me when my spirit is not lead by the Holy Spirit.  Today God was like "are you done" its time to drop my heavy package and have a lighter heart!  Surrendering to Him is a daily (sometimes hourly) choice that must be made!  Surrendering our spirit to Him is the only way to walk on the earth.  This in no way guarantees a light load but it does allow Him to shift our fleshly perceptive, our mind and our soul.  Surrendering is simply letting go of the wheel and allowing Him to steer (yes this takes trust).  Letting go of control is hard but He must lead our spirit!  If He is not leading, our body and soul will turn to the things of this world.  Surrendering our spirit is simply trusting Him and allowing Him to show you the things that are holding you back (or have put bondage on you) and showing you things that you never knew you were capable of!! 

A few verses that have stuck out to me from day 15-24 (Mark 1-Luke)

Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard this, he told them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor - sick people do.  I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know thy are sinners.

 Mark 4:31,31 It is like a mustard seek planted in the ground.  It is the smallest of all seeds but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nest in its shade. 

Mark 9:35b "Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else."

Mark 11:22-23 The Jesus said to the disciples, "Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to the mountain, 'May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen, and have no doubt in your heart. 

Mark 14:38 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation.  For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.

Mark 16:15 "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone."

Luke 1:79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace."

Luke 5:16 but Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.

Luke 6:36 You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

Luke 6:38b The amount you give will determine the amount you get back"

Luke 6:45b What you say flows from what is in your heart.

My encouragement for you today -  What is holding you back from allowing Him to have the wheel?  Today begin seeking Him and asking Him what are you holding onto that is keeping Him at bay in your life.  Daily begin surrendering your spirit to Him and when you begin doing this He will begin to show you the areas that you are holding onto tightly (or have put bondage on you).  You must be willing to allow Him to have the wheel!  I wish you could hear me say this part...you my dear friend have such greatness within you!  Because God gave breath to your body, you have greatness and such purpose!!  God only creates things that have such purpose!!!  You are beautiful and where born for nothing but greatness!!  Allow yourself to be seen the way God sees you - beautiful daughter who was born for greatness!!! 

Lent - Day 11, 12, 13 & 14

Lent

Day 11, 12 (rest), 13 & 14

Matthew 23 -28

Over the last few days with Lent what has been ever so heavily on my heart is taking it all in and simply breathing.  God is opening up areas that I never knew where locked. 

Life can get overly complicated so very often and sometimes those times can pull us from our Savior.  This is not the way we are meant to live! 

Matthew 23 & 24 (Lent Day 11) - Jesus simply loves us so!  Jesus' love simply pours out in these verses.  Such a deep love!!

Matthew 25 & 26 (Lent Day 13) - None of us desire the hard times but sometimes it is the only outcome.  If we at faithful and can stay eyes locked on Him, he will give us the ability to endure what walks across our path.  Then it can be used for something much greater than we can ever imagine. 

Matthew 27 & 28 (Lent Day 14) - In these two chapters twice Jesus was silent.  Twice when he questioned about things.  Many times in life we will desire to yell things from the roof top, which is good...but so many more times it will be our testimony that will be the most powerful tool God can ever equip us with! 

Lent - Day 10

Lent

Day 10

Matthew 21 &22

We can get so afraid of things that we do not completely understand.  At times we as humans forget we are merely human.  We forget there are things that happen or take place or do not take place or do not happen that we will not be able humanly to grasp. 

The Pharisees were afraid of Jesus because they did not understand how things around him were happening, they wouldn't allow themselves to truly see Jesus for who he was, God's son.  They just keep asking question after question to just get him to miss say one little thing.  They were afraid and allowed this fear to rule over them - they could loose everything if they allowed themselves to see who Jesus truly was - fear create many things with in the Pharisees. 

Fear is not a fun place to live.  When we as children of God allow fear to trump we are not able to truly feel or grasp the majesty of Him. 

 

Lent - Day 9

Lent

Day 9

Matthew 19-20

A lot of asking questions and making statements in these two chapters. Parents were seeking Jesus so he could bless their children and the disciples told them that Jesus didn't have time basically 19:13-15).  A wealthy man asked Jesus what good deed must he do to heave eternal life and then didn't enjoy the answer (19:16-22).  A hired had didn't like how the owner paid his employees and protested to the owner (20:1-12).  A mother asked (begged a little) Jesus if her two sons could sit in places of honor next to him (20:20-22).  Then the last one was a crowd of people told two blind men to "Be quiet" while they were calling for Jesus as he was about to walk by (20:29-34).

When we are seeking Christ for answers/wants it is important that our heart and mind are in check with Christ.  We can at times get caught up on these earthly things like (which are not bad by any means) making that top promotion, being the top student, establishing a fabulous reputation, achieving a dream job...sometimes we pull these early things into our relationship with Christ (not intentionally).  If not keep in check or humbled:  A good job could lead to desiring to be that number 1 volunteer because now you know you have the good job to prove it.  Creating this fabulous reputation could lead to you possibly looking down on others.  I hope this is making sense!  We must not loose site that things on this earth are needed to live at times by but they are not needed for Heaven.  We must remember these earthly things are not what Heaven desires.

Bottom Line: 

Whatever you do, work at it with ALL YOUR HEART, as working for the Lord NOT for men.  Colossians 3:23

We must keep our heart and mind in check before bringing a question or want to Christ. 

Lent - Day 8

(take a few minutes to click on the song in the "Thoughts" area)

Lent Day 8

Matthew 17 & 18

Today I am tired.  I guess in all a bit overwhelmed.  Every day I hear of people fighting battles, desiring to overcome the past, seeking answers, longing to be stronger, desiring to grow their faith...so today I am tired.  The hope that I receive from these struggles are - the people around that are facing them have a Hope!  That Hope's name is Jesus!  

My friends battles are real!  People around you and you may even be in the mist of a battle (big or small it is still a battle), but know that there is always Hope!  This is no way means your battles will be gone overnight (yes he is able to do this!) once you place Jesus in them...it simply gives you Hope that you can and will stand strong in a time of weakness! 

What are you battling today...what do you see impossible?  Allow Jesus to walk beside you during these times (guess what he already is) and give you Hope and strength that you can only receive though him! 

²⁸ Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Matthew 11:28 NLT

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6 NLT

¹⁵ so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.⁶ “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him  John 3:15-17

We put our hope in the Lord.  He is our help and our shield.²¹ In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.²² Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, or our hope is in you alone.
Psalm 33:20-22

If you haven't done so today allow Christ into your heart, one of the hardest place to allow him into.  Allow that Hope in him to grow your faith in him that will grow your trust in him! 

It's your move!

Lent - Day 7

Lent Day 7

Matthew 15 & 16

I am learning about the Tree of Life and the Tree of The Knowledge of good and evil while going through lent.  Truly God's timing on this!  They are both working together for me!  As I am taking time for lent to drawer near to God, he is growing this knowledge of these trees for me.  I truly live through the tree of The knowledge of good and evil!  This was hard to admit!

Key point: 

We are to live by the Tree of Life!  The bible states this.  We are not to live by the Tree of The Knowledge.  The tree of The Knowledge is needed to know right from wrong but we are not get stuck in it.  It can be a very sad place to get stuck.  It can cause us to get to wrapped up in the do's and don'ts that it becomes our way of living.  We get focused on the rules! 

In Matthew 15:1-20 it is about the Pharisees questions Jesus about a tradition (rule) that is required.  The Pharisees are so caught in the routine of washing the hands to purify yourself before eating that they lose site of living.  All they see are the rules (Tree of The Knowledge).  They can not look past the person who didn't wash because that is the rule.  They miss the moment to make an impact on that persons life, because they can not move past the rule. 

When we are stuck in the Tree of The Knowledge we have a hard time accepting someone where they are.  With the Pharisees they are so focused on hand washing they miss what really keeps them clean...God - Christ Blood!!  Even with Jesus right there, they miss it!

Going through the routine - steps - rules to walk through life can be very numbing.  You don't think for yourself.  You just simply do because that is what the routine - steps - rules do.  When we are stuck in the Tree of The Knowledge all we tend to see our the ones not living by the right routine - steps - rules.  It can great frustration, disappointment, anger, sadness and tiredness.  Then what happens when YOU miss step and miss one of the routines - steps- rules!!  You yourself become frustrated, disappoinmented, anger, sad and tired! 

This is not the way God intended us to live! When we allow God to walk in us, we desire to see life and live life with him! 

By living in the tree of The Knowledge we can not or have a hard time seeing Christ because we can not see past what our mess up.

It is so clear in His Word!!  Christ walked this earth with open arms!  He said all who are weary come to me!  He didn't say - first you must do this and that before you can come to me!!  No!! He said come!!! 

Today I ask you to slowly allow God to show you how to live in the Tree of Life! 

Lent - Day 6

Lent Day 5 - Rest

Lent Day 6 - Matthew 13 & 14

Matthew 14:35,36

When the people recognized Jesus, the news of his arrival spread quickly throughout the whole area, and soon people were bringing all their sick to be healed. ³⁶ They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.

What hit me today was the excitement that came no matter where Jesus walked during this time!  All he was doing was being him.  He was NOT trying to impress or win them over, he was simply being Jesus.  I guess you could say - he was an open book! 

It made me think, what do I need to stop?  So many times I find myself trying to impress or get more likes on my social media to help me feel happy.  If we would simply embrace who God intended us to be, life would become a little bit more fulfilling! 

Lent - Day 4

Lent

Day 4

Matthew 10-12

One thing that I have constantly struggled with was the term in the bible "my yoke".  I never stopped to follow through with what this truly meant.  I have heard friends speak of it and still I never truly grasped it 100%.  So today I googled it!

What makes Jesus’ yoke easy and His burden light is that in Jesus’ own active obedience (i.e., His perfect fulfillment of the Law of God), He carried the burden that we were meant to carry. His perfect obedience is applied (imputed) to us through faith, just as His righteousness was exchanged for our sin at the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21). Our obedience to Jesus then becomes our “spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1). Furthermore, we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit who works in our lives to mold us into the image of Christ, thereby making the yoke of Jesus easy and His burden light. The life lived by faith is a much lighter yoke and a much easier burden to carry than the heavy and burdensome yoke of self-righteousness under which some continually strive to make themselves acceptable to God through works. 

click here to read more: https://www.gotquestions.org/yoke-easy-burden-light.html

He carries the burdens that we were meant to carry!  Today allow Jesus to take your burdens and allow Him to teach you to be humble and gentle at heart, then will you feel Jesus' rest and the yoke that is easy to bear!  Allow Jesus to take your shame and guilt and allow him to carry them, we were never meant to carry them!! 

"Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you.  Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your soul.  For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."

Matthew 11:28-30

Lent - day 3

Lent

Day 3

Matthew 7-9

As I read these verses I do often forget people really couldn't grasp who in fact Jesus was while he was walking on this earth.  The disciples at one point say "Who is this man?" (Ch 8:27).  They keow Jesus was mighty and can do unbelievable things and had access to God but they still just couldn't grasp it 100% (yet). 

God's son!!  That is who Jesus is and he came on this earth to pay the ultimate price for us, while we were still sinning and in denial of who he is! 

What does your life (fruit) reflect?  I am often disappointed in myself when I look over my day and I see what all I did not get done or areas where I failed.  I am my worst critics.  What does that get me, nothing!  Christ is standing there saying with open arms come on Heidi, you've got this, are you ready yet, come on just believe and know that I am enough!! 

Jesus you never gives up on us!!  You came and walked this earth to allow our eyes to be opened to who you truly are!  Our Savior!  Our Father!  God our Father! 

Lent - Day 2

Lent

Day 2

Matthew Chapters 4 - 6

These chapters begin Jesus' journey on this earth.  His disciples are gathered and they begin their journey.  The gospels are very inspirational for me mainly because Jesus walks on the same earth that I am on!  He encounters life and battles through!  Not because he is God's son but because he chooses this path!

Lent - Day 1

What fruit are you producing from your life?

We are either Life Giving or not Life Giving.

Dig deep and allow God to open your eyes and see what you are truly capable of!

Lent

LENT

March 1^st – April 16^th

I attend a non-denomination church and I grew up Southern Baptist, am I able to partake in Lent?  Lent was talked about in both of these denominations but someone actually partaking of it wasn’t’ something that often came across my path.  If I am being honest I really thought this was a Jewish thing.  Let me say this…I never thought to dig deep and really see what this is.  ME not the church!  I never took the time to look into what Lent truly was!  So now at 41 I dug deep to see what Lent really is. 

My husband and I have some really close friends and last year we were at their house for a birthday party and I heard one of their siblings talking about Lent.  I thought to myself – they’re Catholic?  Needless to say, I was confused!  That is when my wheels actually started turning and I told myself I need to research and see what Lent actually is.  Get this…it is not a Jewish thing!  Who knew! 

Matthew 4:1-11 is the scriptures that Lent is pretty much based on.  Unfortunately last year I was to late to take part in Lent.  So this year I told myself, its time!  But I was still struggling with what Lent really was, what is the purpose of Lent.  So I finally stop with all my excuse and got in the word and dug!

Lent is simply a time to reflect and prepare for the celebration of Easter.  A time to really draw near to Christ and seek him in the areas that need him most.  In Matthew 4 it talks about how Jesus went into the desert to be tempted by satan before he began his journey to be our Salvation.  Jesus himself had to prepare for the journey his Father had for him.  He had to draw near to His Father!  For me this really put Jesus human.  He took 40 days in the desert to battle it out with satan and draw near to the only one who could lead and guide him, God.

So you see, Lent is cut and dry.  Take 40 days and take time to reflect and draw near to Jesus.  What is something that you are struggling with?  What is an area that you can’t seem to let go?  What is holding you bondage?  One of my biggest areas for me – I am never good enough.  I allow this to get in my head and hold me back so very often.  Over the next 40 days this will be an area I will work through with him!!  Come on dig deep!! 

Below there will be some links for you to check out on Lent.  I would encourage you to take part in this time.  Jesus knew he needed this and he is God’s son!  I am not saying to do the traditional no meats and no sweets for 40 days but what are you willing to give up for 40 days to draw near to Christ?  He gave up so much for us – his life! 

Join me on this journey for 40 days!  Let’s take a trip to the desert and see what God has planned for us!!

http://join.catholicfinanciallife.org/blog/colors-of-lent

http://www.upperroom.org/lent101

http://www.crivoice.org/colorsof.html

Lent Reading Plan https://www.biblegateway.com/reading-plans/lent?version=NIV

Skillet - Stars [Official Video]

When you don't think you can't remember who can and who is!