~ Freedom in CHRIST ~

Something has to be said about truly living free. Free of people, opinions, fear, worry, rejection, shame, doubt and truly renouncing that yoke of slavery to it all. Many of us have been set free as we have found Christ but there are many who have not. There are many that do not know Christ yet and still struggle as a Christian with certain areas of pure torment. I came to tell you that you are not alone, friend. You have a Waymaker!

2 Corinthians 3:17 says “NOW that the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom”. When you know the truth of the living gospel and embrace how Jesus came to set us free from it all, you cannot help but dance.

I recently came across some “Freedom Scriptures” http://www.fathershouse.org/sozo-center/ 

from a local church that a friend told me about, I was just so excited and wanted to share them with you. I was excited to see the healing that I knew God was about to do in my life  and with others through these freedom scriptures. 

You see, some of us think we may have been healed in certain areas only to find out we are still blocking the peace and pure joy of being whole in Christ. I thought I was healed from rejection, shame and or unforgiveness in areas that are vulnerable to me, but I now see that there is work left to be done in that area and that is okay. I am thankful for a Father who speaks and flows through me to call it to my attention.

 When you are totally free of something, an event or person, you have peace. You remember that it happened but not so vivid and you can tie forgiveness to it and wish that thing or person well. God called us to freedom (Galatians 5:13) he said to use it as an opportunity to serve one another. He gave us so much. He gave us a spirit of power, love and self-control NOT fear (2 Timothy 1:7). Therefore we can partner with him and work to be free indeed in ALL areas, friend.

 

What do you struggle with? I challenge you to take it to the cross, confess it as sin and stay at the feet of Christ for some time, stay still and follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Wait and see what God wants you to do and be obedient to it. There is freedom there for you in whatever you are battling. Remember the thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10) BUT JESUS came so that you may have life and have it abundantly. You are a child bought with a heavy price and you can now approach your Father, be bold and find freedom in any strongholds you face. Please partner with Christ he is waiting to heal your wounded soul so that you can experience the true freedom he so desires for you to have. I know I will work hard will you join me?

Print the scriptures out from the above link. Put them on your bathroom mirror and speak them out loud daily after you renounce all the emotion, feeling, or lies tied to what is hindering your progress. I guarantee when you ask anything in Jesus name, it will be given to you, IF you believe.

 Prayer Starter:

Father God, I thank you for the finished work on the cross. I thank you that you took my place and gave me freedom. When I am weak, you are strong. I do not have to do life alone for you are with me. Jesus, what is the root to why I have not found true freedom in you? Reveal it to me, Father so that you and I can successfully deal with it and I can live here doing your purposeful work. I no longer want to be a slave to anything that is trying to harm me. I want to give, serve and belong to you and you only. I love you, Lord and I know you will show me specifics steps. I trust your Holy name, in Jesus name I pray. Amen  

~ God Wants us to Take Care of OUR Bodies ~

About 15ish years ago, I weighed 220 pounds and standing at 5 foot 4 that is a lot of weight for me to carry. I did not care too much for anything and needless to say I ate my feelings. Off sheer determination that year I went down to 160 pounds with diet and exercise alone. I was so proud of myself and that was when I met my now husband. I knew the Lord but did not have a relationship with him. Throughout the years, I never went pass 200 pounds until having my daughter 1 year ago. I am not that weight now however if I am not careful I will make it over that mark again. I want to be healthy not just look good in what I wear.

What changed? Hormones, stress, surgeries and taking care of my home. I am a working full-time Wife and mom and life sometimes is crazy. One huge factor is I have been relying on myself, honestly. Can you relate? Have you been relying on yourself for something you know ONLY God can help with?

Today, in doing my studies I came across an article that said “God wants you to take care of your body” and it stood out to me. Mind you I have tried year after year to “change my lifestyle” and nothing. But looking at that sentence, I felt conviction.

The truth is God does want me to care for my body and he wants you to do the same as well. While we are here on earth we are to know God more, walk closer to him daily and look like him. We are his hands and feet on this earth. I cannot be his vessel if I am going to food for comfort instead of my Lord.

Because of the grace of Jesus Christ and the love of the Holy Spirit, we can start over. Today, right now we can decide to stop doing life alone and reject sheer determination and turn to the author and finisher of our life. If you struggle with eating or anything else (pride, lust, lying, cheating, anger, addiction, bitterness etc) remember Jesus loves you and when you partner with him ANYTHING is possible.

I will not go on this “I will change my life, today” or do some fad diet, exercise or take some pills. I will confess my sin and struggles and wait on my Father. I will follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit and obey. I trust him and I know if I seek him he will guide me to a healthier me. I want what God wants and I will surrender and ponder the below.

·         God’s blessing of good health begins with my souls – 3 John 1:2

·         The Lord guides me into healthy living – Isaiah 58:11

·         Our bodies our sacred temples for God’s spirit – 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

·         Honor your body as a temple of the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

·         Using food for comfort is not helpful – 1 Corinthians 8:8

·         Bring your anxieties to God (not to food) – Phil 4:6-7

·         Natural foods straight from the earth are healthiest – Psalm 24:1

·         To nourish your body and appearance eat vegetables & drink lots of water – Daniel 1:8

·         Walking can open your eyes to God’s presence – Mark 16:12

·         Discipline is the road to the good life – Proverbs 10:17

·         Moderation is the key – Proverbs 23:20-21

·         You need deep understanding from God – Psalm 139:23-24

·         Confess your struggles to heal and grow – Ephesians 4:15-16

·         Healthy living begins with healthy thinking – Phil 4:8

 

Link to these thoughts and scriptures: http://www.soulshepherding.org/2004/07/bible-verses-on-food-and-fitness/

 

I encourage your spirit as you read this to surrender what is hindering you to Jesus. If you do not know him I pray that you open your heart and mind to his word and truth. I pray that you turn from sin and get to know your Savior. Jesus love you, friend and I promise you that you are not alone…..You have purpose!!!

 

Prayer Starter:

Lord Jesus, thank you that my heart is pure. Thank you for your love and mercy and for your living truth. I thank you that because of your finished work on the cross that I am a new creation. I struggled in many things (confess your struggles) and I have been doing life alone in this area and I am exhausted. I know I was not build for such stress. Take this burden, Lord and free me of the weight of it. I am so sorry for not involving you in EVERY aspect of my life. I want a new me (mind, body and spirit) and Lord you are the only one thing I need. Stay with me, walk with me and convict my spirit when I stray. Search me, Father and purge me of all things that are not of you. You love me and are for me so I will mediate on that truth today and stay confident in your promises, In Jesus mighty name. Amen

~ Learn to WELCOME the Wait ~

What is our disposition when we are to wait? I know when I am waiting on a traffic light, in a line or in the drive thru many times I am so frustrated and at times yell “what in the world is wrong with you”. I know I pout. I have been mad at God. My flesh hates to wait and so does yours.

Wait is defined to stay where one is or delay action until a particular time. What happens when we are uncomfortable waiting for God to move in our lives? How we wait shows a lot about our character. It shows the true disposition of our heart. Let’s face it! As believers we will wait and we will wait for years if not more for some things. God may also want to give us the desires of our hearts in seconds or maybe never.  What we are meant to have is not up to me and you. Once we grasp that life will be much better. Don’t lose hope because you are not alone. I struggle with this every second of the day.

Truly, we must be prepared to wait on God’s timing, not ours…Proverbs 8:34 says “blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors WAITING at my doorway”. This scripture does not say blessed are those who keep bugging God to act. I always tell my kids if you keep bugging me about a certain thing it will not make me act faster. In fact, it makes me want to teach you a lesson and move slower. Imagine how God feels about this? : /

With my kids, I am not trying to be mean but what I am trying to do is show them that waiting is a fact of life and most important you will always find yourself waiting on the Lord and you have to be okay with that. You cannot lose it emotionally or physically because you have to wait. How we wait and whether or not we welcome the wait and choose to change our attitude in this area means so much.

Not in our own strength, but with the Holy Spirit’s guidance and instruction we must try our best to work in this area. If not, we may be absolutely miserable or bitter. What will happen is that we will start to get so frustrated that our weak flesh will not past tests and will want to waver in our service to the Lord. No one has time for that. We are to be ambassadors for Christ. We are to be kingdom chasers…….. :)

Time to check our motives. Time to renew our mind. Time to grow up. Time to sit with the Lord and be convicted. Time to wait…..We can enjoy our life while we wait if we just choose to think about this in a different light.

Some encouraging scriptures are:

·         Psalms 27:13-14

·         Psalms 37:34

·         Proverbs 3:5-6

·         Isaiah 40:31

·         Lamentations 3:25

·         Micah 7:7

 

 

Dig into the word….research all you can about waiting in the word so that you can encourage yourself and the Lord can really deal with you and grow you in this area.

In Christ,

Monique Smith

Prayer Starter:

Lord, I am so tired of having an ugly attitude when I have to wait. Whether it is big or small, Lord I want a new me in this area. You did not die so that I can live a life of defeat BUT so that I can live a life full of abundance. Convict my heart, Lord when I am having a hard time in this area. Remind me of your word. Hide it in my heart so that when I struggle I am to act different and also be encouraged. You know what is best for me, Father. You have a plan for my life and it is for my good. I love you. I thank you. I worship your holy holy name, Jesus. No one is greater than you are, Father. I pray by the blood of Jesus I can grow in this area and pass these tests of this life. You always fight for me and my delight is found in knowing you wear the VICTOR’s crown. It’s by your grace I am here. Amen

~ Being Tested ~

These past few months I have been through so many tests, with pregnancy scares, health issues from delivering my daughter early, family communication problems, career transitions, disconnection from my children etc. It has been a real test in my faith and walk with the Lord, I will not even pretend it has not been rough. Through the many of circumstances the one thing that is consistent has been lack of some faith on my end. I have chosen in many situations to sit in fear. When I sat in fear I made the devil so happy.

I looked up scriptures on tests and seasons https://www.openbible.info/topics/seasons because I feel they go hand in hand. God says in my study about tests: to count it all joy, do not be surprised, rejoice, trust me, sacrifice, worship me, do not fear, do not be anxious, pray, and be led by the Holy Spirit. I will tell you that many times I would do the exact opposite of what God said. Why? Because it felt better to worry and give myself scenarios of what could happen in my flesh. I did not pay attention to the Jesus in me who wanted to speak to me but I did put him on the back burner when I worried. God cannot work with my worry. He operates in faith, friends.

When I studied seasons God said “I change the seasons”, do not grow weary, be planted, I will provide, rejoice, bear good fruit, preach the word, be ready, rebuke, exhort, be patient and teach. He tells me to have faith and trust him. Is it not amazing how he will speak to us when we just quiet our minds? In my short study time he spoke to every single dry bone. He gave me so much guidance on what to do. Many days I had to fight so hard to be still and go sit with my Father. My flesh wanted me to figure things out on my own and panic. But when I was in study something happened. The Holy Spirit came to my rescue. I was comforted and peace fell upon me. In times of tests or change of seasons, we need to be still and ask the Holy Spirit to control our thoughts.

Today, I encourage you. First, you are not alone. If you are facing some real serious tests right now I want you to stop and breathe and tell yourself that you have a friend who has and is struggling too, in me. If you cannot muster any strength to pray…that is okay just sit and close your eyes and say nothing as the Lord knows our thoughts and understands us. If you message me I will pray with you. 

Most importantly, my friend God is by your side. He has not forgotten about you and your life. God hears our cries and is close to our broken hearts if we truly BELIEVE that with all might. We truly have to stand our grounds and remind the enemy that we are none of his business. Something that works for me is talking to myself out loud in affirmation in my bathroom mirror: “Satan, get behind me! I am none of your business and my Father loves me. You are not welcome in my mind or home. In the name of Jesus, FLEE! I am new, loved and whole by the blood of my Savior”. I promise you saying that to myself in the mirror gave me confidence. It reminded me that I was purchased with a price and that I have authority. Don’t give up, stay your course, keep living daily peacefully and soon you will see victory. God did not bring you this far to let you down now.

In Christ,

Monique Smith

Prayer Starter:

Jesus, my Savior. My King and ever present help in this time of trouble. You reign over all circumstances in my life. I know you go before me because you love me. There is nothing to powerful for you. I praise your HOLY name. Thank you for working things out for my good. Thank you for your protection and mercy. I know that in due time I will reap a harvest if I do not grow weary in doing well. I will stay in peace. I choose joy and courage. Nothing formed against me shall stand. I love you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

~ Lord Almighty~

When you are oppressed by the enemy did you know demons hoover over you? They take any negative word or responses that you give to your situations and make sure they take it to the furthest evilest end. They do this because they would love to see you give up in despair with worry and doubt by your side. The devil hates you and wants you to suffer.

But when happens when you have the aroma of an open spirit? When you have nothing to hide and you give all what you are going through to Jesus? The enemy has no authority over your life or its circumstances. You become free in a new way to see the hope of the future. If you make a decision to enter an atmosphere of worship instead of worry it can overshadow the enemy and his plans. His demonic spirits must flee because they cannot stay in any atmosphere where he is not lifted up.  

My friend, who can stop the Lord Almighty? If we let that resonate in our spirits and truly marinate in this question, we find power. Isaiah 14:27 it says the Lord Almighty has purpose and no one can thwart him. This is the greatest news ever!!! Absolutely no one can stop his purposes, his plans or his will over your life. It may seem like in the natural that the enemy is winning but when you take those blinders off you will see that Jesus already defeated the lies of that snake. Where you find hope is in the Lord Almighty and his promises over your life.

I say that today, you walk in the authority that Jesus died for you to have. You say “no” to any negative thought or action and you declare power, healing, forgiveness, love and hope for your future. Jesus loves you and you have power……use it.

In Christ,

Monique Smith

Prayer Starter:

Lord God Almighty, you surround me. You delivered me from my enemies. You have set me free. You have given me a spirit of courage, not fear. I belong to you, Lord. Thank you for who you are. You are holy, kind, patient and forgiving. From my mother’s womb you have chosen me. I am born into a whole new family and your love flows through my veins. There is no one thing here on this earth that can stop the plans you have over my life. I will no longer be a slave to fear. I sing freedom…..I praise your holy holy name. I will stand on your promises today and forevermore. I love you…..I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen 

~ AND HE is Still Good ~

Life hurts, let’s face it. People and circumstances will strike you at the center of your heart and you will FEEL like you can no longer go on. Fact is God never promised us a life full of no trials but what he did promise was that he will leave us with his peace (John 14:27). We have a choice to follow what this world says or we can stand on what Jesus says. No matter the circumstance he is worthy of it all. This life here on this earth is not our final destination as a Christ follower so we really should not be in doubt or in panic when ugly things appear in our lives. Those obstacles are opportunities to trust God and leave whatever that is causing you strife at his feet. Jesus is coming back for his church (Rev 1:8) and our job is to honor our Father’s name until that day comes, not to fret. We will experience much persecution here on this earth but we will never be completely broken, maybe bruised but never crushed.

Friends, I encourage your heart today. I challenge you to stand against all the lies of the enemy regardless of what is it. Focus on who your King is and renew your mind every second of the day. You will find all living truth in the word of God. If you do not know how to read the bible ask the Lord to show you how, the Holy Spirit guides you and HE is faithful to ALL who diligently seek him.

Who can stop the LORD ALMIGHTY? Absolutely no one thing, person or circumstance on this earth…….God is fighting your battle and has power. Bow before your King and worship his Holy name. He is able……..and is still good no matter what.

In Christ,

Monique Smith

Prayer Starter:

Jesus, my Savior, My King and Stronghold. Thank you for all that you have done for me, your mercy endures forever. My heart, my life and circumstances I lay at your feet. I am not my own and cannot do anything in my own strength. I know that you can heal my broken heart. I stand on your promises in your word and will not depart from them. There is no weapon formed against me that can prosper and I trust you. I ask that you please forgive me for any evil thing in my heart and make my heart pure now by your blood, Lord. I desire to love and look like you and I will not be afraid of what this world says, you are my protector. Set a fire in my soul and help my, Holy Spirit to stand against the lies of this world, make me bold for your name sake. You are here in your splendor standing here with me. I am yours…..I love you. Amen

~ Do NOT Give Up ~

Often times we face certain adversities and feel like it is way too much and want to throw the towel in. Our marriage is on the brink of separation or divorce, or our kids are distant and out of control or maybe the stresses are coming from not having a job or not making enough to make ends meet. Whatever the situation is, my friend I challenge you to not give up. Fight the good fight of faith. God says in his word that in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9). If we stay strong our work will be rewarded (2 Chronicles 15:7). God knows what he is doing and he does not need our help. We take matters into our own hands when we stress, worry, doubt and keep talking about our circumstance.

When I was younger and first gave my life to the Lord giving up to me was the only option. I did not know how to fight for things in my life. I thought if it was too hard I would just leave it, walk away or ignore it. I did not know how to handle life’s adversities and be a mother to a young baby and juggle me. Not until the Lord showed me about myself and that I did not have to handle life alone is when life started to make sense. The Holy Spirit showed me that I could give my circumstance to him and go out and still enjoy my life while he works things out for my good. I was learning faith and I continue to each day. You are not alone, sister.

Jesus has a plan for your life; you have purpose as Jeremiah 29:11 says so. Today, I challenge you to step out in faith and give all that is stressing you out over to Jesus and be still. Stop going around the same old mountains and make a decision to handle life different with the Lord.

In Christ,

Monique Smith

Prayer Starter:

Thank you Jesus that you care for me, that you love me so much to give me options for handling this life. You are amazing and I stand in awe at your grace. I am sorry for trying to handle this life without you. You are my strength and provider and I need to practice being still with you instead of taking matters into my own hands. This journey with you is a process and I am so eternally grateful that you allow me to be me and still pick me up and set me up on solid ground minute by minute. I love you, Father. Amen

~ Perfect Love Cast Out ALL Fear ~

Fear chokes us! It can grab a hold of our lives, thoughts, purpose and lie to us. It tells us we are not enough. We are not equipped. It says we have no purpose and that our circumstance is just too big for God. Fear tells us to give up and call it quits. It says to doubt everything even how much God loves us. Fear is a lie from the pit of hell and comes straight from the devil himself. God’s character will never say to fear. In fact, in his word it says that he does not give us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7) but of sound mind and courage. If the devil can get me to fear in everything I do or think, I will behave and speak with a panic stance. When trial comes I will shrink back or when something I know God tells me to do, I won’t do it because I let the feeling of fear suffocate me.

God has called me to encourage, teach, coach and counsel. I have a specific purpose on my life and because I know this I have a decision to make in many areas of this calling. If I allow this false evidence that looks real but is not choke me, I will not fulfill the call on my life. You are not alone. There are many areas where I let fear creep in and start taking my eyes off Jesus and focusing on my circumstance. You do not have to face life alone. You have the Lord! Jesus has already won and came to give you a life worth living.  

When fear comes, I challenge you to truly send Jesus to answer. I challenge you to stay still and wait for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. I challenge you to go to God and tell him all about this fear and then stand on his promises for your life. Do not move from the position of Princess Warrior. Fight the good fight of faith, my friend.

Sis, you have purpose. You have a specific calling on your life. You cannot afford to believe the lies of the enemy any longer. You are more than a conqueror in Christ. It is time to trust that Jesus is for you and mediate on that perfect love cast out ALL fear (1 John 4:18).

In Christ,

Monique Smith

Prayer Starter:

Lord, you are my stronghold. You are my Father. You love and care for me. You are the way, truth and life. Fear does not come from you, Jesus. When I start to worry and panic, I know that is not a spirit that you gave me. I pray right now that I learn to see myself how you see me. I pray I learn how to trust you totally and stop wavering back and forth. My circumstance does not define who you are. What it does is remind me that you are my God and that you are already going ahead of me to work everything out for my good. I thank you for your power and might. I love you, Lord. I pray in your precious name. Amen

~ My Thought Life ~

My pastor said something yesterday that resonated in my soul. He said ask God to help your thoughts stay on his word. There are many times that my thoughts wander. At times, they go off and think about this and that and mainly they start to focus on my past and never the present. I do know that this is not of the Lord and I am to cast each thought down and replace them with the word of God. 

What happens when you do not know the word of God like that just yet?
What happens if you are new in your walk with the Lord and you do not have the weapons stored in you to fire off at the enemy just yet? I may have somewhere in my blog shared some declarations that you can use in situations like this at some point BUT just for the sake of time I wanted to share some again with you today. 

Please print these out if you must or write them down and carry them in your purse. But always stay prepared and have resources in your walk with Jesus. Don't wait for others to encourage you there will be many many times you MUST encourage yourself.  Something that is powerful is looking yourself in the mirror and reciting declarations and/or the living word of God out loud. It stirs your spirit and feeds you like no other. Live like you belong to Jesus and go out and be blessed today.

Declarations:

v  I am the head and not the tail (John 14:30)

v  I am a child of God (1 Peter 1:18,19)

v  I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength (Mark 9:23)

v  Jesus is for me and I do not have to fear (Psalm 23)

v  No weapon formed against me shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17)

v  I am a new creation in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17)

v  I am a blessed seed of God (Colossians 1:13)

v  God lives in me (2 Corinthians 6:16)

v  I am the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:15)

v  God has a plan for me to prosper and to succeed (Jeremiah 29:11)

v  Sin has no power over me (Romans 6:14)

v  I separate myself from everything unclean (2 Corinthians 6:17)

v  I resist the devil and submit myself to Jesus (James 4:7)

v  I have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2: 16)

v  In righteousness I am established (Isaiah 54:14)

v  I live and walk by faith and not by sight or my feelings (2 Corinthians 5:7)

v  I can think of things that are lovely and pure, worthy of all praise (Phil 4:8)

v  My faith is in Jesus and his word (1 John 5:4,5)

v  I overcome  the devil by the blood of the lamb (Revelation 12:11)

v  I believe  that I will live  and not die (Psalm 118:17)

v  By HIS stripes I am healed (Isaiah 53: 4,5)

v  I am strong and of good courage (Joshua 1:9)

v  God is for me (Romans 8:31)

v  I have a spirit of love and sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)

v  I follow Jesus (John 10:27)

v  My steps are ordered of the Lord (Psalm 37:23)

I encourage you to do some work on your own as well. Get in your bible and start writing God’s promises down so that they can be etched in your heart, mind and spirit. You are victorious and do not have to bow down to fear you have weapons to fight with. You are the blessed seed of God, stay encouraged.

Prayer Starter:

Jesus, you are for me and you never leave me. You said in your word that I have a spirit of courage and of sound mind. Please help my thoughts to stay on your word and let them never wander off. You are my strong hold and provider and I truly can do ALL things through you because you give me strength. I do not have to be fearful and let my thoughts and emotions take over because I can focus on your truth. Thank you for loving me and convicting my spirit. I love you, Lord and I will serve you in my thoughts today. In Jesus’ precious Holy name I pray. Amen

~HELP, I am Mad at God ~

Do you know that as a human you were only built to sustain a certain about of pressure? That is why God says for when you are weak; I am strong in 2 Corinthians 12:10. He knows our weaknesses. He suffered through the same life we live today. It is because in our weakness (frail human state) HIS grace (God’s favor) is enough for us to relax. Jesus provides blessings to those who are patient and learn to wait and trust in Him. We were not built to bear constant stress, hardships and persecutions in our own strength, we will buckle every time. Sure we can sustain much and you probably already have BUT at some point there comes a time of surrender, throwing in the towel because it really is just too hard to handle life alone. When we are stressed our body is in a slumped position, we are down, weak and feel extreme mental discomfort. We are under pressure and can and will take matters into our own hands and then get mad at God when we make a mess.

Just a couple of months ago something very unfortunate happened to my family. I was so angry, hurt and truly disappointed in God. I felt entitlement because in my mind I am God’s CHOOSEN child. I am being honest. I totally questioned how God could let this happen to me. So for about 2 weeks I pouted, cried, and was holding resentment toward the Creator of our universe. First of all, who does this? Like who gets mad at God for life? I was stressed to the max but it really was not cute to blame Jesus. I gave up, got up and gave up again. I was so back and forth and wanted relief. Sisters, I was not built for that much stress. In that entire very unfortunate incident, I shifted. I did not stay in the presence of my Father; I left him (peace, two fingers). I followed my emotions and decided to let life suck me in to the vortex of defeat. I truly let the enemy have his way because my heart was so broken. I had no peace and that was because I was anxious and refused to trust Jesus.

You see Christ came so that we do not have to suffer in mental torment. Fact of the matter is life is hard and there will be many things we do not understand. However, in our feeble state we are to look to Christ. We are to do our very best in everything and TRUST Jesus to do the rest. Trial doesn’t mean run away from God and do everything by yourself. Trial says this is a test of your faith will you pass it? Will you lean on your Father and still trust Him at his word? I know when circumstances look chaotic and it really is easier to satisfy the desires of our flesh because it is what we are used to. But Jesus died for us to have a life full of abundance and peace. I know I let my situation steal my joy and life from me that day because I was no good. Truth is I had a choice and I failed. But you know what, it is okay. The God we serve keeps no records of wrongs. He will put us right back where we need to be because he loves us that much. God really does work ALL things for our good. We may not see it then but later we will. Life is simple but we really do make things very complicated, at least I know I can. God says be still, but we move, cry and panic. He says rest and here we go moving a mile a minute working endlessly on the “to do list”. Clearly, I don’t take instruction well at times and I am stubborn so you are not alone.

In Matthew 6:34 (Message version) God says “Give me your ENTIRE attention to what I am doing right now and DON’ T get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. I will help YOU deal with whatever hard things come your way WHEN the time comes”.

How crazy is it to actually trust GOD at his word. To relax and breathe because God says he will HANDLE our issues. Each time I read that verse I find so much peace because it reminds me that I am nothing and my GOD is EVERTHING!

My friend, today, is a good day to pause for air and breathe in God’s spirit. We do not have to handle life alone nor do we have to stay in anger or resentment toward our Father when life tests us. We do have a Savior who is patiently waiting for us to release our grips on life’s circumstances so that he may step in and work. Our renewed spirits can offer us right thinking and righteousness in Christ IF we allow for it.

In Christ,

Monique Smith

Prayer Starter:

Lord, I am nothing in my own strength. I cannot attempt to be a decent anything if I leave you out of any aspect of my life. I need you with every fiber of my being. I am completely lost without your presence. I am so thankful for whom you are and everything you represent. I pray I remember your sovereignty in every step of my day. May I worship you in spirit and in truth. I pray I am vigilant, willing and loving to myself and others. I do not want to keep failing tests, Jesus. I want to grow more in you. I love you and I pray in your precious sweet name. Amen