Ego. Is Yours Holding You Back?

2 Kings 5:11 - But Naaman was angry and went away and said, Behold, I thought he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and heal the leper.

Ego. Has your ego ever held you back from receiving something really great? Well, here in 2 Kings 5:1-14 we read the story about Naaman. Instead of having you read the whole chapter, I'll re-cap it for you and bring you up to speed. OK? :)

Naaman was described as a "mighty man of valor." He was the commander of the army of the king of Syria. Rightfully so, he was a pretty big deal. Because of Naaman, God had given their army victory. There was one small problem. Naaman was a leper. If you haven't ever seen pictures of a person with leprosy, some have white sores all over their body, some have had limbs, fingers, toes wither up and fall off...it was not a fun disease. In the time of the Bible, lepers had to be separate from the rest of the population (even their family) so they would not spread the disease.

Let's continue... Naaman was told about a prophet who was in Samaria and this prophet could heal him of his leprosy. Naaman proceeded to let the king know about this and the king, I'm guessing due to his great service, sent a note along with much silver & gold as well as 10 changes of clothes to the king of Israel. The king of Israel was upset, because he knew he could not "heal" Naaman... but, the prophet Elisha heard of this and prepared a message to be sent to Naaman. HERE is where things get interesting.... Naaman, being such a "legend" in his time was expecting something great! Probably some big show that Elisha would perform, make a big scene like, "GOD! This man is worthy to be healed! He is a GREAT MAN! He has served your people and done great things for the kingdom upon earth! Heal this man God!" And then a "lightening" bolt from heaven would come down and Naaman would be healed. Well.... that is not what happened. Elisha did not even come to see Naaman, but only sent a message to him. The message told him to go and wash himself in the Jordan river 7 times, then he would be clean. That is when we arrive at 2 Kings 5:11. Ego. Pride. Naaman was angry! So angry that he went away.

Can you imagine.... you are given instructions that would HEAL you for being an outcast of society, but the instructions sound a bit absurd, so you just leave?! In Naaman's case, thankfully he did surround himself with people who would listen to reason. Some of Naaman's servants came near to Naaman, they urged him to rethink what he was doing. As a result, Naaman DID go down to the river, dip 7 times and was healed.

What's the take-away here? I got 2 main things....

1. Is my ego & pride getting in the way of God's best for my life? Whether that be for healing, for my finances, my calling, books, business, family, etc. Is my pride keeping me in a place of bondage, where if I relinquished my pride, I could have victory? 
2. Who is in my circle of influence? Do they have the insight enough to bring to my attention if I am being stupid? If I am missing the mark? Who in my life will I listen to and ARE THEY PEOPLE OF GOD? Are they people that are willing to tell me the "tough stuff" even if it's difficult to say & hear? WHO are those people?? 

If you go on to read the rest of the chapter.... there are definitely more lessons to get into that we won't today. 

Ask yourself these questions. Evaluate where you are today. Evaluate and get transparent with yourself.  Is your ego holding you back from God's best?

#220 - Happiness for your Health!

Good morning! I would like to share with you something the Holy Spirit shared with me before we jump into some WORD.

"...you do not always have to receive a great 'revelation.' Sometimes basic truths are as important or more important than the hidden treasures. A basic foundation is essential to a solid house. Being in the Word, PERIOD, is important to gain direction for today.... but even for 10 years from now. What you & my children learn today may be something that emerges in a time of need 10 years from now. They are filling their arsenal. It's like adding quivers, bows to your stash. You will have what you need when you need it because of consistently filling yourself up with the Word." 

As we begin, remember, God's Word does not ever return void. When we place importance on hiding His Word in our heart, it takes root. It is placed there to emerge in a time we will need it. Continue to put the Word in your heart! Continue. Don't feel like what you are doing is in vain. Every day, every act of consistency is important. You may not know why the Word you hear for yourself today or tomorrow is good, but you may find 723 days from now it comes up out of your spirit at the exact time when you need it.

Proverbs 17:22 - A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 31:25b - ...she rejoices over the future... 

Proverbs 31:27b - ...the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat. 

It is important to our health to be happy! Have you ever heard that before? I remember when a popular book came out and it was accompanied by a DVD series you could watch. I remember watching some of the segments and it talked about this exact idea. A woman was featured on the DVD who was healed of cancer. Like the verse talked about, a happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing. To help this verse come to a reality to her, she and her husband spent night after night renting and watching funny movies. They would watch comedians. They would do anything and everything that would bring laughter. As she spent time laughing, rejoicing, enjoying every day and night, healing came to her body. Before long, she returned to the Doctor to find out that the cancer was gone from her body.

In our world today, "self-pity" often seems easier for us to hold on to than laughter. It is often easier for us to share the "whoa-is-me" syndrome with our friends, people from our church. In our efforts to share the negative with others, we package our negative in the form of, "Please pray for me. You'll never believe what happened....." Then the negative begins to spill out. Now... don't get me wrong, I am a huge proponent of prayer, and having prayer warriors go to the throne of God on my behalf, or on the behalf of someone I know who is in need. Although, Tyler and I are often very cautious of who we tell to "pray for us" or who we let into some of the "personal" situations that we may be addressing. We often take in great consideration, can this person believe with us? Can they be in agreement with us on what we are believing God for? Can they keep their words positive and not speak negative over the situation? Can they keep themselves from using our "prayer request" as just another form of gossip to share a "whoa-is-me" story with someone at church on Sunday?

Our Proverbs 31 friend rejoices over the future. She applies the "happy heart" and the "cheerful mind" to her day and her life. She avoids the "self-pity" that could easily creep itself up in the event something did not go as planned. A broken spirit dries up the bones. Self-pity adds to a broken spirit.

Do you need health? Do you need healing to your body? Maybe take a dose of the medicine it talks about in Proverbs 17:22. A dose of happiness for your health. Say good-bye to the "whoa-is-me blues" and bring on the laughter!

 

#217 - Let God WIN Through YOU!

Good morning! :) All is well here in Columbia, SC. I've been meaning to post a "prego" picture....since I haven't gotten around to it, I'll at least give you an update! :) I am almost 33 weeks pregnant.... that means only 5 more weeks until I am full-term (38 wks)....technically 7 more weeks until my due date of October 3rd. Trinity is definitely growing and ACTIVE! She has been kicking a TON. I have had a great pregnancy. Praise the Lord, I haven't been sick at all (I'm redeemed from sickness). Other than the need for the occasional nap, I have been pretty good. Sleeping at night has been a bit interesting. For those of you who have been pregnant, you know what I mean! It's like trying to roll over with a heavy bowling ball on your stomach! Arghhhhh! I must admit, yesterday was quite a day. I commented to Tyler, "If I could just take off my stomach for an hour... or even just a few minutes, that would be so wonderful! I'll put it back on... but if I could just have a quick break. Breath normal, not be so heavy." 5, 6, 7 weeks seem like a long ways away yet to continue to be pregnant. Do I sound like I'm getting antsy? OK... preach to me, I need it! "Amy, enjoy ever step of this time. Don't wish it away. You will soon be in a different phase, taking care of a newborn. Enjoy this time with Tyler Junior and with your husband. This will be the last time Tyler Junior is an 'only child.' Enjoy it." 


Ok.... Ok... good preaching! :) I need to hear it sometimes! :) Well, we are going to get started into the Word. I actually did follow today's scheduled reading and got into the Psalms schedule, so let's go!

Psalm 41:1-3 - BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, to be envied) is he who considers the weak and the poor; the Lord will deliver him in the time of evil and trouble.² The Lord will protect him and keep him alive; he shall be called blessed in the land; and You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies. ³ The Lord will sustain, refresh, and strengthen him on his bed of languishing; all his bed You [O Lord] will turn, change, and transform in his illness.

Proverbs 31:20 - She opens her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her filled hands to the needy [whether in body, mind, or spirit]. 

Did you ever realize what POWER there was in helping the poor, needy or weak? I remember hearing my mom tell me about my dad giving money to a man on the street. If I remember correctly I believe they were in California visiting my brother. Where there were homeless everywhere, streets lined with different men and women, hands out, asking for money or food. The question came up, "How do you know they aren't going to use the money for drugs? How do you know they aren't a phony and do this for a living? There are so many of them, everywhere, we can't give to all of them." My dad's response was simple, "We cannot control what they do, we can only control our obedience to the Word." At that moment, my dad had felt led to give to that specific man on the street. From there, it was as if he was lending to the Lord. As it says in Proverbs 19:14, "He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and that which he has given He will repay to him." My dad was walking in obedience & a leading he was prompted to follow. 


As we read Psalm 41, we see how GREAT being a blessing and considering the poor really is. Not only is it the right thing to do, but in doing so, the Lord in-turn will sustain, refresh & strengthen us if we are sick, if we come down with something. The LORD will refresh us! The Lord will change & transform the illness to healing! The Hebrew says that it will be overturned, turn about, be reversed, be overthrown! The illness brought on by the enemy will be OVERTHROWN! Boo-yah! God sees. God sees when we give to the poor. God sees when we are kind to the poor. The Proverbs 31 woman opens her hand to the poor. She reaches out to the needy. Whether in body, mind or spirit, she helps them, she offers her assistance, she gives them food, or friendship, whatever is needed. 


If sickness comes upon our body, we can put God in remembrance of His word as it says in Isaiah 43:26, "Put Me in remembrance [remind Me of your merits]; let us plead and argue together. Set forth your case, that you may be justified (proved right)." We can remind God of our merits, our deeds or actions we have done to honor Him. Isaiah tells us to DO IT! We are not being selfish to REMIND GOD. We are putting Him in remembrance of what His Word says. It shows action on our part. It shows that we know His Word. It shows faith & diligence to put Him in remembrance of His Word. Then we are to STAND. Stand on His Word. Stand on His promises. Stand, without wavering. Stand!

My desire, My will is health & wholeness. Don't give up children. Don't give in to the enemy. What the man of God said was true, 'My children give up too easily. They need to fight.' Yes. Fight the good fight of faith, that includes the fight against the enemy. You have everything you need to win. The will to live & the will to win is key. If my children give in to the enemy, they tie My hands. Don't give in to defeat. STAND! Stand! Be strong & courageous  & STAND! Put on your armor, take up your shield & sword & stand. If you feel weak, STAND! Watch MY strength come upon you to STAND & FIGHT! Your stand shows Me your faith. Your stand coupled with My strength & power & your will to WIN! Let the weak say, 'I AM STRONG.' Their strength comes through Me. I will show Myself strong. I need you to stand so I have someone to win through!

Let God win through you! Stand. Fight. Watch your victory come to pass! If God's Word says it, will you believe it?

#160 - I AM VICTORIOUS! I FEAR NOT!

Good morning! Praise God! It is THURSDAY, MARCH 31st!!! The long awaited for day has passed... Tyler & I had our 2nd audit appointment yesterday with the IRS. Praise the LORD, all went well! We were audited for 2 years! We definitely learned a lot and praise the Lord we keep good records. We had TOTAL favor and not only did all of our records substantiate our expenses, BUT THEY owe US more money! Praise the Lord! What the enemy meant to throw us off course and distract us, we passed with flying colors. Let me tell you though, I am thankful to have all of that in the rear-view mirror!! NOTE to Tithers (which should be all Christians): If you are tithing 10% of your income, and maybe even giving an additional offering...YOU are going against what the WORLD says is normal! That's kinda good news! We don't want to be normal to the world! The IRS doesn't think it's normal either, so if that's YOU... just keep good records. WE ARE GIVERS! AMEN!?!? WE GIVE and it is GIVEN UNTO US, PRESSED DOWN, SHAKEN TOGETHER & RUNNING OVER! AMEN? It feels good to be different from the world!

Well... let's get started... today... the 31st.... a great day to fully look at the life of the Proverbs 31 woman! She is so amazing!

Proverbs 31:21 - She fears not....

Need I say more? The verse goes on to say that she fears not the snow for her household because her family is clothed with scarlet. But she FEARS NOT! She fears NOT! If we made a list of things we do not fear.... what would be on the list? What would be on your list? If you made a list, to remind YOURSELF, to remind GOD and to remind your enemy, Satan, what would be on that list? What would you be reminded on that you WILL NOT FEAR? Let's list out some possibilities!

1. I FEAR NOT my future, the goals & dreams I have. For GOD began a good work in me and WILL CARRY it out to COMPLETION! (Phil 1:6)
2. I FEAR NOT time! I fear not timing! For GOD'S timing in my life is perfect. I am in the right place at the right time ALL the time! I am learning what I need to learn now. God is positioning me in the perfect place to accomplish ALL He has called me to do.
3. I FEAR NOT our finances! My GOD LIBERALLY supplies ALL of my needs according to HIS riches in glory! (Phil 4:19)
4. I FEAR NOT stagnation. I know that there is a season for all things (Eccl. 3:1) I will walk out this season of my life with JOY. I will walk out this season of my life with expectation, knowing God has great and mighty things in store for me! I will walk out this season of my life as a LIGHT to the WORLD, like a city on a hill! (Matt. 5:14-16)
5. I FEAR NOT what my kids, my spouse, or I shall eat, drink or wear (Matt 5:25-26) I choose NOT to be anxious! For GOD clothes the birds of the air & as a child, He loves me much more than even those! I will not fear. I will not be anxious. 
6. I FEAR NOT my marriage. I call my marriage blessed, growing & prosperous. I call it a fulfilled relationship where I am married to my best friend!  
7. I FEAR NOT my health, or my families health! I call each of us healthy and whole. I SPEAK to our bodies that we operate in DIVINE health, how GOD created us to function. I speak to my body and any infirmity that may be there, I tell you, "INFIRMITY, SICKNESS, ARTHRITIS, KNEE PAIN, HIP PAIN, HEADACHE, You are NOT welcome! You are trespassing. You must LEAVE my body in Jesus Name! My body is the TEMPLE of the Holy Spirit and sickness, disease and pain, you have to GO in Jesus name!"
8. I FEAR NOT my growth or progress. I thank you God that YOU place those things in my path in which I need to learn. You place the people, books, CD's, studies, programs in my path to help me progress down the path I need to go! 
9. I FEAR NOT debt! I call my bills paid in full. I thank you Father that YOUR WORD says that YOU GIVE me HOUSES filled with GOOD things, that I fillest not (Deut. 6:10-11) Thank you for NO MORTGAGE! Thank you that you set me up to own NO man nothing, but to love him! (Romans 13:8) Thank you Lord for giving me the ability to be FREE from owing any man anything! I call myself DEBT-FREE!
10. I FEAR NOT relationships. I call myself a good friend to others. I am a friend to them, and therefore, they are friends to me. I call myself friendly! I call forth those IRON-SHARPENING relationships into my life (Prov. 27:17)! I call forth the God type of friends that I need in my life! I call my relationships blessed!
11. I FEAR NOT my weight! Like the Proverbs 31 woman, I am going to DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT (Prov. 31:17)! I subject my body, I get fit, I get healthy, I make my arms strong, I eat healthy. When I am old in my years, my eyes will not be dim, nor my natural forces abated (natural vigor diminished) (Deut. 34:7)! My body will OPERATE like I am young, I will have strength like I am young! I choose to take care of my body now instead of having doctors to have to take care of me later. 
12. I FEAR NOT the enemy, Satan! Because MY JESUS DEFEATED HIM! I am ALREADY VICTORIOUS NOW! Jesus defeated DEATH, HELL AND THE GRAVE so that I could walk out my life, in EVERY AREA in VICTORY! I AM VICTORIOUS therefore I WILL NOT FEAR!

Well... I think it is a good starting list! What do you think? Did we leave anything out? Is there anything that you are holding onto that causes that seed of fear in the recesses of your mind? Add to it! What else should we NOT FEAR? 

I FEAR NOT what the future holds! I will have joy today! I will have strength & power today! Because of what Jesus did, I am victorious today! THE WORD says it, therefore I BELIEVE IT! 

I AM VICTORIOUS! 

I FEAR NOT!

#147 - PLANT THAT WORD!!!

Good morning! I must say.... my apologies about some inconsistencies as of lately with posts. I slammed my finger in the garage door and for about a day and a half couldn't even touch anything without being in pain.... so typing was out of the question. Please say a prayer for my finger though! COMPLETE HEALING & NO PAIN! It's still a bit tender, but praise God, BY JESUS STRIPES I AM HEALED!


Alright... go with me to Mark chapter 4. 

 ³ Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:
 ⁴ And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.
 ⁵ And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:
 ⁶ But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
 ⁷ And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
 ⁸ And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.
 ¹⁴ The sower soweth the word.
 ¹⁵ And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

This parable I'm sure many of you are familiar with... it's a very popular one. I wanted to share an experience where this was real in my life.... just one of many stories I could tell. 


Tyler woke up one morning and told me, "Hey, the Holy Spirit told me that this morning we are going to lay hands on *Mark, and he's going to be healed." So... I was excited about that. Mark had been in the hospital and recovering, but was unable to walk. He was using a wheelchair or walker, or any assistance he could use, but could not walk on his own. Well, praise God, today was the day he would walk! 


We arrived at his house, sat down and Tyler asked him if he would like to be healed. Tears welled up in his eyes and he said "Yes." As Tyler went through some scripture, he firmly agreed with the Word. He was excited. He believed that the power of Jesus could still heal today! He stood up with the assistance of a walker and we laid hands on him and began to pray. We prayed. We thanked God. We put God in remembrance of His Word and we rejoiced! Mark received!!!  As we came to a close in the prayer, Mark stepped away from the walker. We made sure he was careful. But he said, I CAN WALK! He took a step forward without help, then took a step backwards without help. He was laughing and crying all at the same time. Then he took several steps forward and even jogged in place! He was so excited! He was jogging in place! He told us he wanted to go up the stairs, he hadn't been able to do that in months. Mark made his way to the stairs, and flawlessly made his way up, and then back down. He was shouting he was so excited! Tears streamed down his face. This was really happening. 


We all went back to the living room for Tyler & I to get ready to leave... I'm sure Tyler gave him some parting instructions, we rejoiced with him and then were on our way. 


Later we found out that Mark did not keep walking.... sure he walks today. It was like he relapsed into the same state he was in when we had first arrived. That brings me to the whole point of today's devotion. When you receive something new or a revelation from the Lord, it is CRUCIAL that you begin to FIRMLY PLANT that Word in your heart! It is crucial that you begin to meditate, ponder, and just pour in, pour in, pour in the Word! That you get that new revelation so PLANTED & GROUNDED that NOTHING or NO ONE can take it away from you. 


What happened with Mark? The WORD, in regards to healing, was not firmly planted in his heart. And we know what happens next when the word is planted... right? The THIEF IMMEDIATELY comes to STEAL the Word. In this case, when the thief came to steal the Word, he walked in and stole the word right from Mark with no fight. That is what Satan does! He comes to STEAL, KILL & DESTROY! 


I have had to really fight this recently. The idea of PLANTING FIRMLY new revelations that I have received from the Lord. I have WATCHED the enemy come and try to STEAL these truths right out from under my feet. BUT, I am FIGHTING! I am fighting to keep these truths and revelations that I received. But it takes a CONSTANT, SOLID, FIRM, CONSISTENT, STUBBORN effort to PLANT the Word. Continue to PLANT! PLANT! PLANT! Plant the Word so deep that the roots can not come up! Plant the Word so thoroughly that the truths are there for good! And NOTHING can shake your tree! Like the palm tree in a hurricane.... it may bend, but it doesn't break! God made it to withstand fierce winds and storms. God made US to withstand the enemy too! We have EVERYTHING we need to WIN! AND.... JESUS HAS ALREADY DEFEATED HIM! JESUS HAS ALREADY WON, so WE have already won! 


But... I encourage you.... get those truths, those revelations firmly planted. Don't let the enemy come and steal them from you, because THAT my friend is what he is going to try to do! Be ready! PLANT THAT WORD!!!

* Name Changed.

#64 - RECLAIM IT ALL!

Good morning! It is a beautiful morning here in Columbia!! Fall weather is just beginning to grace us... I can tell because I have jeans on and it's not unbearably hot here on the porch! I don't even think it's in the 100's! Whoa! Maybe 90's or high 80's... but with the fan on and light breeze, it doesn't feel too bad. Tyler Jr has his 9 month "well visit" today to the pediatrician. It's usually fun! He's so good at the Doctor and Dr Sooros always goo's and ga's over how good he's doing. No shots today, so that is good!! AND the treat afterwards!! Firehouse Subs!! I think we do that just so dad has an excuse to go to the Dr's apt with us, and then can look forward to a yummy sandwich. Hey! Whatever works so dad comes with us. It's fun to have him with us!! He's a super fun person, so ANY time I can have lunch with him is a good time. We are still honey-mooning. We will celebrate 10 years January 6th! WOW! And definitely still honey-mooning. Alright... let's roll this morning... 


Today's Reading Schedule: Proverbs 8, Proverbs 31:10-31, Psalms 8, 38, 68, 98, 12

Proverbs 31:28a - Her children rise up and call her blessed....

Psalms 8:6 - You made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet.

Psalms 128:3, 6a - Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the innermost parts of your house; your children shall be like olive plants round about your table.Yes, may you see your children's children.

I am always saddened when someone tells me that they can not have children. Not saddened at the "words" of them telling me, but saddened at the lack of knowledge. Over and over in the Bible it talks about "none are barren, not one" or "children are a heritage" or "leave an inheritance for your children's children." If it talks about it as a promise, it is there for us! In the Bible it talks about women who were barren and their wombs were opened. They had children! 


Let's have a quick history lesson... Psalms 8:6 talks about US being given DOMINION. What does that mean really? Well, back in the garden, Adam was given the keys to everything! He had dominion over the whole earth. He had authority over everything that happened on the earth. It was HIS to rule. Well, as the story goes, you and I know that Adam and Eve sinned. When they sinned, they handed the keys over to Satan giving him dominion and authority over the earth. Giving him rulership. So, God HAD to have a plan B. God had to bring the opportunity back to man-kind to rule again. To have authority. Since God had already GIVEN it to Adam he could not take it back. Adam had dominion and through his sin, he GAVE the dominion to Satan. God could not just "take it back." He had to have man-kind take it back from Satan. God could not go back on His Word. You and I both know what happened next.... after a series of events, Jesus comes into the picture. The valiant Savior. The one who could come and RECLAIM what was rightfully ours! Who would RECLAIM our Dominion and Rulership over Satan and ALL the "works of His hands." All the works! ALL. What does ALL mean? ALL means ALL! Land, money, children, food, animals, things.... ALL. All means ALL. Jesus came back for a battle. Jesus came back to RECLAIM the keys of ALL that God created during the 7 days of creation. Jesus came to reclaim them from Satan, so he needed to DEFEAT Satan, and hand the keys back over to US, BELIEVERS in CHRIST. Death, hell and the grave. Jesus defeated Satan, defeated DEATH, rose again on the third day... and now assumes his position at the right hand of the Father, ALIVE! Why does the "Catholic Cross" not portray things accurately? Because Jesus is NO LONGER ON THE CROSS, He is NO LONGER IN THE GRAVE. Jesus ROSE again from death. Defeated death & Satan, and Jesus is NOT on the cross or grave, HE IS ALIVE! 


"Ok Amy. That all sounds great! What does that mean to me? How does that affect me?" 


"How does that affect YOU?" you ask! It affects you in a HUGE WAY! HUGE!!! I just want to type the word HUGE so big that it takes up your whole computer screen! As a believer in Christ, when you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, you are a "co-heir." (Romans 8:17 -Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.) - You are now a CO-HEIR with Christ, and you now have a position of AUTHORITY and DOMINION! We share in the VICTORY that Jesus had in defeating Satan. NOW, as a Believer, EVERYTHING is under our feet! Including Satan! Including sickness, disease, poverty, barren-ness, including death! We will live eternally with Jesus when we die. As believers we have inherited eternal life! If the Doctor has given you a bad report, do you know where to put it? UNDER YOUR FEET! We, as believers, need to KNOW our AUTHORITY, KNOW what rightfully belongs to us and RECEIVE IT! RECLAIM IT as ours! You and I are CO-HEIRS with Christ! Do you realize the MAGNITUDE of that? What is a Co-Heir? Someone who has "possessory rights to property or things", an estate, ALL the belongings of the successor. If we are a Co-Heir, we have EQUAL SHARE in EVERYTHING that belongs to Jesus. And He is HEIR to who? Heir to God who created it all! Read it for yourself in Romans 8:17 - "We are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ"


If it doesn't line up with the Word, don't accept it. A report from the doctor. They say you can't have children? That's not what my Bible says! You're sick and dying? That's not what my Bible says! You're young and told that cancer is going to take your life at 40 or 50? That is NOT what my Bible says! Not only are we the healed (Isaiah 53:5, 1 Peter 2:24)... but as we see in our verses for today, "Yes, may you see your children's children."  If you haven't seen your grandchildren yet, it's not time for you to go. 


And... our Proverbs 31 woman is holding up her end of the stick.... she has CHILDREN! Not one, but many. She has children and they call her blessed!!! 


SO... KNOW who you are in Christ! Know your authority! Know the promises that are YOURS! Don't accept reports that, as a CO-HEIR with Christ, don't belong to you. Ask yourself.... if JESUS CHRIST Himself received this __________, (you fill in the blank - bill, debt, poverty, sickness, etc) would He accept it? If he received this disease? If the thief came and stole from Him? Would He let the thief walk off with HIS goods? Take your RIGHTFUL position as a CO-HEIR with Christ and RECLAIM ALL that is rightfully yours! RECLAIM IT ALL!

#30 - Living Vanilla? Add Chocolate, Carmel, Whip Cream & Nuts

Good morning! It's going to be a jammin day today! Excited about it.... excited to get a lot done and accomplished. Yippee! So... let's get our roll on....

Proverbs 8:6-8 - ...the opening of my lips shall be for right things. For my mouth shall utter truth. All the words of my mouth are righteous (upright and in right standing with God); there is nothing contrary to truth or crooked in them.

Proverbs 31:26 - She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction].

So much good stuff today. Where do you even begin? Words. Truth. Our words are so important. We even see that when our Proverbs 31 friend opens her mouth, good stuff is coming out! She opens her mouth in Wisdom. When she speaks it is with Wisdom and kindness. As we see in Proverbs 8:30, Wisdom was here from the beginning. Wisdom was here as the earth was created. Wisdom was hear before man was created. Before the sun & moon. Before animals, the water, fish of the sea. Wisdom has been here since before the beginning! So within Wisdom, it also accompanies the truth. Wisdom can not be a lie. Wisdom can not be false. Aside from everything else Wisdom is, Wisdom is truth. Our Proverbs 31 friend opens her mouth in truth. Wisdom often is love. Our Proverbs 31 friend most often probably opened her mouth in love, in encouragement or, as it says in verse 26, in kindness. 


I heard a statement the other day that shook me. It came at me and it was bold. It affected me. When truth comes, it separates bone & marrow. It comes straight. Straight! It comes hard. It comes bold. It comes in a glass that is not watered down. Truth does not try to wear flowers. It does not try to dress up. And we see the Word, JAM-PACKED with TRUTH. I began to think about it. I began to think about who I am attracted too. When we started our business about 7 years ago, I remember early on going to a conference. I heard people speaking boldly, and speaking truth. I heard things that, at the time, I did not even hear at church. I was attracted to the bold. I was attracted to these people who stood up for the truth. Who spoke the truth without standing down. The attractiveness of the Radical.  Truth is like a magnet. Truth draws us in. Truth is attractive. Truth is powerful. I go back to the statement I heard that shook me. When truth comes, it separates bone & marrow. It comes straight. I hear already some people saying, "Well, you have to leave room. You have to not be so dogmatic. You have to be gentle." What I have realized though is THE WORLD WANTS THE RADICAL!!! Think about it. Who do you want to follow? Someone who is passionate. Someone who is sure. Someone who follows their heart, who follows truth. Someone who is bold. Someone who moves you to tears. Someone who knows & speaks truth. The WORLD wants the BOLD. I have realized that the WORLD is following and wants to follow those who speak loud. I  am reminded of Lady Gaga. We call her radically saved in Jesus Name! She has almost 5 million followers on Twitter, and just passed President Obama for followers on Facebook. Why? She lives her life BOLDLY! People are attracted to bold. 


Wake-up call. Before this blog began.... I was living my life "Vanilla." I was living my life "not to offend." Everyone likes vanilla. I then, finally couldn't take it anymore! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! GIVE ME THE CARMEL, HOT FUDGE, NUTS, MARSHMALLOW'S, CHOCOLATE CHIPS! I AM NOT VANILLA! I think as Christians we often live life "Vanilla." We live life not to offend, while the World is living life BOLDLY... (ie: Lady Gaga- dancing on poles in a cage, whips, chains, scantily dressed, colored language, cutting edge ideas). The world is not "living Vanilla" and the WORLD is getting more followers than MY JESUS! 


Jesus lived a life that was not vanilla. During his life, people were offended. He lived boldly. He knew His purpose for being here. He lived and spoke TRUTH.


That brings me to association. Finding a church that speaks the truth and believes the truth. Comparing it with the Word. Cross-referencing it with the Word. Does what they speak or teach line up with the TRUTH? I'm not so quick to jump on the "ban-wagon" of ministers or churches that appear to be big. I am very CAUTIOUS in the books that I read... the authors... and what "school of teaching" they come from. I steer clear of some that I know I feel don't believe the WHOLE truth. Those who have taken bits of truth, but have disagreed with some parts of the Bible. Last time I checked, the WHOLE BIBLE was true. So, I'm cautious of "what" I put in. 


Personal example: A time back, I was like that about Joel Osteen. I was cautious. I did not know if he was just a "feel-good" minister... or if he just preached "watered-down" sermons... if he really believed how I believed. If he really embraced the whole Bible. Well, I have since read a couple of his books. One of the books I'm reading right now is: It's Your Time. I must say, it is a great read. We don't watch TV at home, so I never watch him on TV... but when I have been at my in-laws, I have seen him on occasion. I don't know how much he teaches on certain subjects...but when I've seen him it has usually been a message of hope. At the time, I thought, "Great, hope is good. Hope is important. But do the people ever go from milk to meat? Are they getting enough Word that they are moving forward. Are they getting the whole package and moving on?" I am definitely not an easy one to just "jump on someones ban wagon." Well.... that brings me to his book, It's Your Time, definitely good stuff. Get ready to get fired up... I'm just going to bullet out some things from it....

• Don't talk about your problems; talk to your problems.
• Speak to those mountains in your path. Declare favor over difficult situations. Too often we talk to God about how big our problems are. We should be talking to our problems about how big our God is!
• With your own words you'd be sealing your fate. You must ask yourself, "Whose report will I believe, the report of victory or the report of defeat?"
• Put a watch over your mouth.
• In due season you will eat the fruit of your words.
• Declare favor every day, all day. Let it flow out your mouth and under your breath. You should be saying, "Father, thank you that Your favor is opening up doors no man can shut. Your favor is bringing supernatural opportunities, divine connections, causing me to be at the right place at the right time."
• I am blessed. I walk in divine health. The favor of God is opening up new doors. I will fulfill my destiny.
• Switch over to the language of victory.
• Our words can bless our future or they can curse it.
• We give life to our faith when we speak out about our dreams.
• He has made you the head and not the tail. (Deut. 28 - One of my, Amy's, personal favorite chapters in the Bible - Talks about blessings and curses. Grab hold of the blessings!!!)
• God does not want you to spend your whole life working for someone else. God wants you to own your own company. 
• When your needs are supplied, keep stretching to bless others.
• Don't allow negative images to play in your mind. Change the channel.
• Turn off negative talk. Fill your mind with thoughts of victory. 
• Great expectations make for great lives.
• When I was tempted to get discouraged, I used the temptation as a reminder to thank God that He was in control and to thank Him that He was fighting my battles for me.
• Dare to dream big and pray boldly, especially - yes, especially - when there is no hope in sight!
• Have you ever dared to ask God to help you OWN YOUR HOME free and clear without monthly payments? "God I'm asking to be debt-free - my home, my car, my business, my credit cards!"
• God expects us to ask. If you are not asking for God's favor, His blessings, His increase, then you are not releasing your faith. 

What a pleasant surprise! Truth. And if you looked back over each one of the blog posts here, you would probably see many of those very subjects talked about. 


So, divine health? Living in abundance? What if I feel sick? What if I HAVE a headache right now? What if I AM broke? What if my checking account does say $0.00... or -$34.89. Apply the TRUTH to your situation! 


Fact -VS- Truth: The fact may be that you have a headache, but the TRUTH trumps the facts. The TRUTH, the Word of God, trumps what the facts say because the WORD says, "By Jesus stripes you ARE healed." (1 Peter 2:24) The facts may be that you have no money in your checking account right now, but the TRUTH says, "My God shall supply ALL my needs according to HIS riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:19) Or the amplified, "My God will LIBERALLY supply (fill to the full) your need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." And our God DOES NOT LACK! So take your situation and line it up with the Word. Line it up with the TRUTH. Claim and speak the TRUTH over areas that may feel like defeat now. Say, "Thank you Father, that the facts may say I have NO money, but your WORD says that you LIBERALLY supply all my needs. That I have more than enough. I choose to believe the WORD, the TRUTH over what the facts may be saying. Thank you Father that YOU are Jehovah Jirah, God my Provider, and YOU do not have a lack. And YOU are my Supplier. I am linked up with the ALMIGHTY Source! Thank you for meeting my needs!"


Litmus Test: Do a WORD CHECK. Check your Words. Whatever you say, behind it add, "In Jesus Name." How does that sound? "I have a migraine, in Jesus Name." "I am broke, in Jesus Name." "I have no friends, in Jesus Name." "I'm not good at anything, in Jesus Name." "I'm fat, in Jesus Name." "I'm ugly, in Jesus Name." CHECK YOUR WORDS! Like Joel said, Our words can bless our future or they can curse it. And that is SO true!


Be Bold. Believe truth. Live truth. The only way to live vanilla is to add chocolate, carmel, whip cream and nuts! Live with Flavor. Live with belief! LIVE LOUD!