The Reason I Live and Breathe

February 23, 2015September 16, 2015Leave a comment

Lately there has been a heightened level of talk about the coming back of Jesus. Especially if you listen to the teachings on what is happening in the signs in the heavens, and the blood moons.

I know HE is coming back and I also know that no man or woman knows the day or the hour. I have no doubt, however, that the season is getting closer. People are talking about economic collapse, World War III, especially with all the intensity that is happening in the Middle East. I know that I will be praying on March 3, as prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the United States Congress on what is happening in Iran and how it is affecting Israel. Christians in America need to stand in the gap for our nation on that day, that the hearts of our leaders would turn towards God and also towards Israel. The nation who supports and blesses Israel will be blessed.

With thoughts of the return of Jesus, my first instinct is to make sure I am living a life of purity and righteousness before God, that is my personal responsibility. I want to live this life in honor and respect with my husband, walking hand in hand with him in peace as we “press in to the High calling in Christ Jesus”. Next it is my responsibility to train and teach my children to walk closely with God, not just head knowledge but heart knowledge that causes them to have a personal relationship with their Savior. I want to live a life that is an example of Jesus to others, my neighbors, my friends and people I meet.

The world is hungry for what Jesus has, many do not know what that hunger is or where to find it. This is our chance to give them a piece of the puzzle that they have been missing their whole life. Why would I hold back their completion?

My mandate, in the season, is to do all that I can to equip families in our church and wherever around the world God sends my family and I. To give them the tools they need to build strong relationships with their spouse and raise a mighty women and men of God.
If couples do not know how to handle conflicts in their relationship before the tribulation, how in the world are they going to withstand when things get really tough.

Think about families in the Middle East who are having their love ones slaughtered by ISIS, I bet they are not fighting over who left the milk out and who spent the last of the grocery money. This is where it gets real people. We need to know how to communicate with each other, how to have self-control in our thoughts and actions. How to make good decisions. How to honor our spouse and leaders even when we don’t agree 100% percent. Honor is not about agreement it is about respecting a person because of who they are as a son and daughter of God. This list could go on and on which shows the necessity of my mandate.

Our children need us to hold it together and thrive because they are going to carry the torch in their generation. I want them to be prepared to be the army of God who will stand righteous and victorious.

The most ignored commandment

February 21, 2015September 16, 2015Leave a comment

Check out this interesting article.

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/practical-faith/most-ignored-commandment

This article is good, EXCEPT, for the flawed ideology that “God walks out once a week to meet with us”.
It is this mindset alone that is the foundation of a “pew sitter Christian”, verses a child of God who knows their Papa God intimately because of their constant daily connection and interaction. This article definitely brings to light the lack of desire people have of meeting together corporately, which is one of the most encouraging things I get to do all week. “Just one of us can put a thousand to flight, but two of us can send legions fleeing” its not only about fulfilling our “duty” of a commandant. In the New Testament laws are written on our hearts. It is taking a legalistic rule and transforming it into a desire of the heart. David said in Psalms, “obedience is better than sacrifice”. The Lord looks at the heart. He wants relationship with us, not just rules. But if you have an extended family who you love to be with, would you rather, know they are out there living or come together for a feast and party? That is what church is like when you are apart of the one God calls you to. Sabbath is to many just going to church. If this is your mindset, than we need to see that God wants to dwell with us every second of every day. Church is the time we gather all we have received from God during the week and thank Him corporately, worshipping Him giving Him praise for all He has done and all He is doing. We enter into times of intercession for others and our world. We train our children in the ways of the Lord and provide time for them to learn how to walk in their spiritual gifts.

For the medical side, sure rest is important. But it is not the most important reason. People in other parts of the country walk for miles to get to their gathering times. The church/ Christians in the West & Europe are going to face a wake-up call very soon which will prove where their loyalty lies. I only pray they understand the importance of developing an intimate relationship with the creator so they know how to lean on him when times get hard. It’s possible we could soon be in a place where we do not have the freedom anymore to worship as we choose.

Path to Peace

February 3, 2015September 16, 2015Leave a comment

Isaiah 26:3 is one of my “Life” scriptures. When I found this picture online I couldn’t wait to put the two together. The direction of your eyes in this picture points directly to the sun. Just as our eyes when focused on the “Son” releases a peace into our thoughts and life we cant get anywhere else.

Determine to focus your thoughts on the one who holds your life in His caring hands. He knows every hair on your head (even the ones you lose) 😉

Angels encamp around us! Thank God for protection

January 28, 2015September 16, 2015Leave a comment

On Sunday my husband was heading out with my 11 year old son and some friends to go kayaking. Allowing him to do that has been a step of faith, especially as he wants to push his limits every time. Sunday was his birthday weekend, 60* degrees in January to boot, excellent time to go for a short trip.
On the way down our street a paddle flew out the back of the truck bed, he turned quickly to see what happened, then THIS Happened

The verse, “the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him”, came to mind as he told me there was an accident. The three in the truck had to climb out the window, but praise God all the windows were still in tack. They went to the shop and drove the forklift down the road to pull the truck out. Everyone was fine, but the truck needs some major work.

In those moments there are so many emotions that go through your head. For me it was the fact that all along our road is a steep cliff. There are only a couple places where there is solid ground on the left. They hit the last ditch possible without the cliff. God protected me husband, son and friend. The thought came to mind, what if God was actually protecting them from something worse that could have happened on the River that day. We never want an accident to happen. But, that day, I was thanking God nothing worse happened. Not a scratch on their body.

I am one thankful wife and mother. As I was praying today for a family who has to give testimony in a criminal case, I had to find pictures to declare over them. These were my favorite ones.

In this last picture below that most all of us have seen, you will notice the missing plank on the bridge. See, God could have filled in the hole, but he didn’t. He said “I will give my angels charge over you to protect you in all your ways”. We will still have scary situations in our lives, but God will send help for you always.

Praying that God gives you peace and rest as you walk through this life with him. Blessings to you!!

His Mercies are NEW every morning

January 23, 2015September 16, 2015Leave a comment

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion;therefore I will wait for him.’ The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietlyfor the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:22-26

What does that verse mean to you? To me it means that every day the past is wiped away and I get a new chance at living and receiving an abundant measure of God’s grace.

The understanding of Lamentations 3:22-26 FIRST has to be coupled with Romans 12, where it talks about transforming your mind. I talked about this in a previous blog “The Mind Of Christ: Thinking about Thinking)
(https://livelifeoutloudforgod.com/2014/09/25/the-mind-of-christ-thinking-about-thinking/)

If we do not purpose to have our mind renewed by the washing of the word of God, by focusing our thoughts on God and who HE is, there’s NO WAY that we are going to receive the fullness of the “New Mercies” that are promised to us every day. We will end up thinking about the past and the struggles we have gone through along with the things that maybe tormenting us in the present. God is faithful and He will never leave us, but it is very hard to feel His Love and Grace when we are only focused on all the bad in our lives.

Today, allow God to bring you new mercy, grace, strength and comfort. His word is true…..”For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord.

Where does my help come from?

January 21, 2015September 16, 2015Leave a comment

There are times in life when nothing makes sense. Times when you are so desperate the only place to turn is God and His Word.

Then you see the stupidity and depravity of humanity…..Just today I saw a news article where two parents gave their kid dope in its bottle just to watch its reactions. Tragically the baby died. Or when you hear about a child being molested by their own family member. God have mercy on that child and the family that was destroyed because of erroneous actions. Or to the person who is falsely accused for something that never happened and now sits in prison with no hope in sight.

BUT GOD!!! I have to believe that despite all that we don’t understand, God is good. His character never changes. He is a God of Purity, Truth, Justice, Peace and Love. I believe in the infallible God breathed Word of God, the Holy Bible. However, there are so many scriptures when we are walking through a deep valley that are very hard to understand.

God is timeless. He always was and always will be. When we read the Word we have to keep in mind that it was written for us in the perspective of our whole life. When you read through Psalms 121, when you are hurt, you might say “this didn’t work for me”. BUT again, God said His “Word wont return void, it accomplishes what it sets out to do. ”

That is where faith and trust comes in. We need to hold on to the character of God. Hold on to the fact when he said, “He will never leave us or forsake us.” That he will. He can not lie. It is impossible.

If you are walking through a dark valley, know that “He who began a good work in you WILL complete it.” He will give you a “peace that surpasses all your understanding and will guard your heart and mind”. We don’t have to understand why, we just need to know where to get a hug and receive the only hope that will last for eternity.

Weeping may last for a night BUT Joy comes in the morning. Hang on, find people to pray and support you. Nothing compares to finding a solid church family you can trust.

You don’t have to walk through this alone!!

Power in the name of Jesus: These Kids Got It!!

January 20, 2015January 20, 2015Leave a comment

What an INCREDIBLE morning. On the way to church this last Sunday, I wept as I listened to “Break Every Chain” by Jesus Culture. I began picturing the elementary class I was about to teach getting a hold of the concept that there is Power in the name of Jesus.

We have been teaching them from Becky Fischer’s Kids In Ministry International curriculum “Hearing God’s Voice”. We are in our last chapter learning about the enemy’s counterfeits. We have spent a whole year teaching our kids how to hear the voice of God. For most of them it is now a natural thing. Something that some of the parents are still learning to grasp. They have learned all the different ways they can hear Gods voice. Now they are moving out with the words of knowledge and prophetically to each other and those they know. They are worshiping with abandonment and praying for the sick and seeing God heal. They have an unstoppable faith.

When I arrived at Destiny Christian Fellowship’s Elementary class, I was so overwhelmed with the Presence of God and had so much anticipation of what He was going to do. I began class teaching the lesson about how the enemy lies to people making them believe he is just as powerful as God, or that he can be everywhere at one time, or that he knows everything. BUT THAT IS NOT TRUE! Those are only God’s characteristics.

I then had the kids write down on a little piece of paper things that the enemy tries to scare them with or tempt them with or make them believe a lie about. These pieces of paper were formed into a chain. Then I had someone in the class put a white robe around themselves to represent Jesus and as we listened and worshipped with “Break Every Chain” the person representing Jesus came and broke the chains. The kids then rushed up to break and rip up the chains because they knew they had the power of Jesus inside of them to see those chains broken. It was such a visual representation of what takes place in our lives and also what happens in others lives as we pray for them.

One of the songs I taught them was, “Romans 16:19 says”. We sang and did the actions for this song for 10 minutes. They got it and loved it. The importance of getting the Word of God in their heart is critical at this age. Song is the easiest way to do this. My other favorite Music Group who does this is “God Rocks”. They sing pure word for word scripture. My kids and I have listened to it for 8 years. It is one of the best. They have DVD’s, CD’s and books for kids. Each one has a theme with verses that back it up. Powerful and life changing. Worth every cent of investment. You can also find some on Christian TV channels or YouTube. The other group my class loved watching was “The Rizers” you can find them on YouTube. Purely scripture done in a fun and entertaining way to watch and listen.
Here is the link for Romans 16:19 Says

One little 1st grader told me after class that the power of Jesus is in his hands. That when he prayed for his grandma the heat from his hand made a red mark on her back. He knows without a shadow of a doubt the power of His healing God. He is also quite the worship leader. From the first day he came to class he came up front and let these kids into powerful times of worship.

No one can say that you miss out of church when you work in children’s ministries at DCF because we have CHURCH in our classrooms.

http://youtu.be/EtyVdC7E6Wo

That is who my Father God is!! Give it to Him

January 20, 2015January 28, 2015Leave a comment

Unfailingly Love, Unlimited Grace, Dependable Strength, Pillar of Wisdom, Full of Understanding, lover of our Soul, Remover of Pain and Heartache – That is who my Father God is!!

I cant imagine what this life would be like if I were alone without my Daddy God. Too many situations lately what have made me drop to my knees and cry out for mercy for others. When you see the hurt and heartache people go through, even those who are walking with Christ, it seems unbearable. However, the burden I carry for others has to be taken somewhere.

God said, “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” If I keep the burdens of others on myself, and never take them to my Daddy God, then I will lose my joy and peace. God never intended you to carry everything on your own. Having compassion for people is one thing, but allowing the burdens to transform you into the incredible hulk is another. Give your heartache to Him!! He will give you the grace to carry what you are supposed to and help you walk in peace and joy in the process.

Hard times – Unwavering Faith

January 17, 2015September 16, 2015Leave a comment

If my belief and trust in the character of God changes in bad times, how does that affect the effectiveness of my faith in the good times? It is in the hard times of life where we have to hold on like never before to who God says he is. He is all-knowing, He is present everywhere at the same time, He has all power and can do anything at anytime. His Love never fails, He is good all the time. He never lies. He is a God of His word. The stripes that Jesus took on His back at Calvary are for our healing. We are paid with a price and have full access to EVERYTHING that has been granted to me as a daughter of the king. There is nothing impossible for our God! Hold onto this with everything you have if you can’t do it on your own ask for us to stand with you. You’re not alone!

Expectations are a killer- But its doesn’t have to effect you

November 21, 2014September 16, 2015Leave a comment

Just a little wisdom from someone who has dealt with expectations from others.

Expectations lead to your finger pointed at others when they do not behave the way we expect and want. We can not control other people’s thoughts, feelings or actions but we can control OURS! Love and unity is a choice that we give to others despite if our expectations have been met or not. Do not let the enemy rob you of pure love in your relationships! It is something we have to walk out daily. It is not easy, but it is worth it! – Rachelle Layzell

Live Life Out Loud For God

Not Ashamed to tell the world what God has done!

Tag: Jesus