The Way He Wants You to Live

I've been meditating on a scripture a lot these last two weeks and it has come up in conversation a couple of times. I need to hear "Well, done... good and faithful servant," and I'm sure that other people in leadership need to hear it as well. However, a lot of the time we seem to only tell them about the bad stuff they are doing. This scripture spoke volumes to me and as I meditate on a few of the points of interest I hope it speaks to you as well.

And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!

Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is
that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers,
and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with
each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on
each other's nerves you don't snap at each other. Look for the best in each
other, and always do your best to bring it out.

Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.

Don't suppress the Spirit, and don't stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don't be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what's
good. Throw out anything tainted with evil.

May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it!

Friends, keep up your prayers for us. Greet all the followers of Jesus there with a holy embrace. And make sure this letter gets read to all the brothers and sisters. Don't leave anyone out.

The amazing grace of Jesus Christ be with you! 1 Thessalonians 12-28

How do you overwhelm someone with appreciation and love? Is it just telling them you appreciate them or is it writing a note?

How do you get along with others? How do you do your part? These are serious questions that need to be answered as we each try to spur the others along in the Christian walk and faith.

Thank God for everything... even the people that get on your nerves. Always praying for others and asking God for guidance. Completely surrender to the Lord in every path you walk on. Knowing that you don't have to fix anything or that you aren't in control of anything. Just be thankful, prayerful and cheerful.

This next part is the part that I'm meditating on... How do you know if something is good or not? How can you discern the good from the bad? The spirit is alive within us and it speaks to us and it protects us and it tells us things we could not possibly know on our own. So don't quench that spirit... Don't put out the spark of fire that ignites within us when there are red flags flying around.. test everything and see what is good... It says to throw out all the evil. If you have a red flag then address it... test it, ask questions... seek the answer then dig it out and throw it out...Not the person, but the thing that is evil. Sometimes we have answers from people who are gifted in discerning right from wrong... seek out good counsel. Don't try to be an island and do things on your own. Ask for help from others who walk with the Lord and seek his counsel.

This book of Thessalonians was a letter written to the church of Thessalonica... It was asked that the letter be read and passed along to the members of the church... It was passed down for 2 thousand years...

Test and approve everthing and keep only what is good... Ask the spirit to help you discern what is good today.

Lea Anne

A little bit of a pity party...

I have to say that I was in a bit of a pit last week... doing a little self-pitying... and I allowed myself to go there for a day or so before I pulled myself out of it. The whole time I was in it, I kept saying that I know better... I kept telling myself to get over it... I knew better... But I can't deny that I was in it.

Well, I have to say that when I began to feel my emotions and feelings trying to control me, that I go to the source of all my strength. I went to the Bible to hear what God had to say about it and I found him to be faithful, as He always is. I recognized that He cares about our feelings and I know that even if it's a self-imposed feeling of pit dwelling, not necessarily something someone does to you, He can pull us out of it if we let him.

I came across the passage from Jeremiah where he is lamenting that he was ever born. He spoke about how everyone was against him, how he didn't have any friends, how he should never have been born, and it made me realize that I felt somewhat similar. The passage I'm referring to is Jeremiah 20:7-18.

What stands out the most to me in this passage is the way that Jeremiah flips between the reason why he is the way he is and the feelings that he feels because of the way he is. What he knows to be true contradicts how he feels about it. This was a little confusing to me and the fact that the Lord didn't respond to him says a lot too. He basically overcame the issue of self-pity by realizing he was responsible for what he was called to do and by giving voice to how he felt about it, didn't change his feelings, but he understood that the Lord would take care of him.

So when we find ourselves in a bit of a pity party, do we sit around and complain about it?

Or do we withdraw into isolation and mope about it?

What should we do to overcome it?

How do we get over it?

These are just a few of the questions I have for you. I know that for myself, I allowed myself to feel a little pity, but then I pulled myself up by the bootstraps and got over it. I can honestly say that I am over it and I hope to have a better understanding of who I am for having gone through it. I hope that I can always go to the source of all knowledge when faced with honest feelings of self-loathing or self-pity.

I know who I am in Christ and will continue along the path that is laid out for me. I will be faithful to stay the course. I will press on. In the process, I hope to encounter little things about myself that will make me a better person when I incorporate them into my behavior modification plan. The only evidence that we are a living, walking-in-relationship-with-Jesus person, is a changed life.

Is my life different than it was a year ago?

Am I seeing things a little differently?

We must always be evolving in our relationships, growing in our spiritual development, and loving just a little bit deeper as we allow Christ to work in our lives.

So don't be embarrassed about having gone on a pity party trip. Embrace it and allow the Lord to heal you and grow you up.

Love to you all,
Lea Anne

Stop speaking worthless words and start speaking Good ones

Have you ever felt like you were treated badly and because of all the work you've done for the Lord, that it shouldn't have happened to you the way it did. Did your feelings get hurt so bad that you wanted to quit what you know God has called you to do? Maybe you have quit but the pain of the insult is so bitter in your mouth that you spew forth poison every time you have the opportunity to "tell" someone what happened to you... Well this is an interesting passage from my study in Jeremiah where God honestly tells Jeremiah to stop his whining and complaining and just get about doing what He told him to do. If this is you and you are currently stuck in an offense, I pray that you receive this as it is meant. As a way out of the depression and insult and into forgiveness and full living.

Jeremiah 15:15-18
You know where I am, God! Remember what I'm doing here!
Take my side against my detractors.
Don't stand back while they ruin me.
Just look at the abuse I'm taking!
When your words showed up, I ate
them—
swallowed them whole. What a feast!
What delight I took in being
yours,
O God, God-of-the-Angel-Armies!
I never joined the party crowd
in their laughter and their fun.
Led by you, I went off by myself.
You'd filled me with indignation. Their sin had me seething.
But why,
why this chronic pain,
this ever worsening wound and no healing in sight?
You're nothing, God, but a mirage,
a lovely oasis in the distance—and
then nothing!

19-21This is how God answered me:

"Take back those
words, and I'll take you back.
Then you'll stand tall before me.
Use
words truly and well. Don't stoop to cheap whining.
Then, but only then,
you'll speak for me.
Let your words change them.
Don't change your words
to suit them.
I'll turn you into a steel wall,
a thick steel wall,
impregnable.
They'll attack you but won't put a dent in you
because I'm
at your side, defending and delivering."
God's Decree.
"I'll deliver you
from the grip of the wicked.
I'll get you out of the clutch of the
ruthless."

The NLT version says:

“If you return to me, I will restore you
so you can continue to serve me.
If you speak good words rather than worthless ones,
you will be my spokesman.
You must influence them;
do not let them influence you!

God doesn't mean to discount your feelings or to make light of your offense. He just wants you to continue serving him whatever happens. Even if no one ever receives. Even if no one ever changes. He can't use you when you live in unforgiveness. He just can't.

God gives us an important responsibility in the ministry and that is to keep on keeping on even when it gets hard. Even when there is an offense...

Be the one to share about what Christ went through... How he suffered and was beaten, and how he was crucified and how he died that we may all have life. He did it willingly... he knew when he came to this earth that he would suffer injustice and that he would lay down his life for all of us who are so imperfect, but he put aside his rights to not be hurt. So why can't you. This is all about bringing glory and honor to the Lord... Not about your hurt feelings...

I hope that this speaks to someone today that is holding on to a little injustice and offense today. Just lay it down and Get over it... God says to put away all that worthless talk and start talking good things today.

Lea Anne

A Blessed Life

I wanted to stop and take a minute to offer a little gratitude to the Lord for where I am in life. I have been very blessed and I want to express my joy for life out loud.

Lord,

I wanted to stop and say "Thank You" for all that You have brought about in my life and allowed to happen.

I wanted to give credit where credit is due...

I wanted to inspire hope in someone today that is feeling a little depressed or is waiting for an answered prayer.

I wanted to remind myself and others that our hope is in the You, Lord.

Rejoice and Be glad...
Lea Anne

A Special Form of Communication

Do you have a special form of communication between you and the Lord?

Do you have a certain something that brings you instant peace and joy that you recognize as a sign of God's presence?

Some people see a rainbow and are filled with peace.

Some people see a star and find comfort.

Others may see a feather or a leaf that floats in front of them and it reminds them of a promise that was spoken over them a long time ago.

I have always found a sense of peace when I see a Bluejay or a Red bird. It's always made me stop and take notice of my surroundings and pause and give God some GLORY because I feel him near. That happened last Friday morning when I pulled out of my driveway. I saw a bluebird chasing a redbird and it instantly brought comfort to my soul.

I felt the arms of the Lord wrap around me and say "Peace, Child, I am with you."

I still feel that peace. That unexplainable peace that surpasses all understanding from the only source that can fill you with joy and comfort.

Today I can say that God was establishing His peace with me where the decision of making an offer on a house was concerned. He said... "I've got this... you don't have to worry." And even though it turned out a little differently than I expected, I'm happy all the same. The Lord truly does know best! Trust him today for your decisions.

I hope you have a special form of communication between you and the Lord. It's those moments of sight that give an infusion to your faith that is mostly unseen but oh so neccessary in how you deal with the everyday stresses of life.

Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him!
Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side,
working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is
about to arrive. He could show up any minute!

Don't fret or worry.

Instead of worrying, pray.

Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down.

It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Philippians 4:4-8 (Message)

I pray you can hear the whisper of the Lord in your life today.
Love,
Lea Anne

Just Make a Choice...No Guesswork involved...

Have you ever watched the game "Let's make a deal?" Have you ever thought about decisions in life and what would happen if you had picked another path in life? How do we know what God's BEST plan is for us?

This is God's Word on the subject:

"As soon as Babylon's seventy years are up and not a day before (translated as "At just the right time, not a second before"), I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans (not just plan... but PLANS) to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. "When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. "When you come looking for me, you'll find me. "Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." God's Decree. "I'll turn things around for you. I'll bring you back from all the countries into which I drove you"—God's Decree—"bring you home to the place from which I sent you off into exile. You can count on it. Jeremiah 29:11-13

You see, I've been meditating on this thought for a few weeks now. It's not that we have choices or opportunities that we get to pick from... You see our paths are already laid out for us... As we walk, we learn things about ourselves and about God that make us into the person he wants us to be.

But here is the gist of all the seeking and the path walking and the direction guidance we ask for... We must seek GOD, then all these other things will be added unto us. Seek Him first, seek Him and not direction... Seek God and you will find His will for you.

You don't have to wonder what's behind all the other doors... just pick one and walk through it. Walk and seek the Lord and He will fill you with his glory and he will direct your steps. You don't have to know where you are going, you just have to walk along. Praying and seeking as you go, trusting and believing that what he's bringing you to is something good... something you are hoping for...

Just wanted to share what I've been meditating on the past few weeks. What peace there is in not having to know where the path is leading, just knowing who's leading me...

In Christ,

Lea Anne

Walking in Forgiveness

I was taken aback the other day when a thought came to my mind about something I did about 23 years ago that was not quite reputable. A fleeting thought about a mistake I made even though I knew better. And something that I had already asked forgiveness for and from which I was walking in complete freedom. I hadn't even thought about it in 15 years, much less dwelt on it, so when the memory came to my mind, I felt an instant grip of regret... of guilt... of unworthiness to teach and witness and speak of the glory of God.

I was preparing for my Bible Study class when this happened and it was a great lesson on advancing the Kingdom inspite of circumstances... inspite of limitations.... inspite of selfish motives... inspite of fears... inspite of dissatisfaction in other people... It was as if the enemy spoke this to my mind " who do you think you are? You have made so many mistakes... You aren't worthy to talk about "Godly" living... You aren't good at all... remember when you _________...

And I did remember... I remembered when I said I was sorry... I remembered when I asked forgiveness... I remembered when I turned in repentance (and didn't do it again)... I remembered that I was forgiven and walking in grace... Even after I remembered all this, I needed to be comforted by Jesus and I went to his word in the little book of promises that I keep by my bedside table and looked up "regret" and this is what I found...

The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this:
“I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite
and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble
and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.

Isaiah 57:15

God spoke so clearly to my soul... the part of me that was sorry for the wrong that I had done... and told me very gently that HE had forgiven me and that HE knew I was forgiven because I had a repentant heart... I wasn't STILL walking in that sin or attitude of before... I had a changed heart that was healed and free and forgiven and that I had his COURAGE in me to boldly proclaim HIS GLORY to others. To teach others with the authority of one that was walking in freedom and forgiveness and to always know that I was WORTHY to be called a child of his.

This is the attack and the path that the enemy tries to take a person down. He tries to keep you from walking in forgiveness and freedom by reminding you of the bad things you've done. The sins that you've committed and the utter lostness of your past lives...

We are all sinful people and do things we're not proud of. But we have a righteous Father who convicts us of a wrong when we do it and when we come into agreement with Him that it is wrong he will forgive those sins if we ask him to. We then have to turn from the way we were doing things and choose not to do them again if we are in agreement with God that it is wrong for us.

The first part is confession and the second part is repentance... You can have confession without repentance, but God's word clearly spoke to me that I was FREE because of my repentance... Because I wasn't doing it anymore. That I don't even want to do it anymore. That I hadn't even thought about it in 15 years or longer... That's WALKING IN FORGIVENESS... That's Freedom... that's Abundant living and pleasing to God and it's stuff that the enemy hates... He has no power over a person that chooses to walk in Forgiveness... of yourself and of others... We have power to forgive because we have been forgiven...

Does this make sense?

I just wanted to share my experience of what happened to me and the way I chose to overcome it. I choose to walk in forgiveness and boldly profess the name of my savior, JESUS...

I hope you can walk in forgiveness too.

Lea Anne