⚠️ Banish the Enemy ⚠️

We all know we aren’t perfect. 😮 (Right? 💁🏻‍♀️ I mean, we do KNOW that no matter how much we strive for perfection, we aren’t quite there yet, hmm?) 

Even when we, in our flesh, work SO hard at “being righteous” (that’s ‘being in right standing with God’) scripture tells us OuR righteousness is as filthy rags, yeah? 

We strive to be “good” in our own ability, may hear comments from different directions, but we can’t get all bent out of shape about it — 

“Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth who does good and never sins. [Isa. 53:6; Rom. 3:23.] Do not give heed to everything that is said, lest you hear your servant cursing you– For often your own heart knows that you have likewise cursed others. All this have I tried and proved by wisdom. I said, I will be wise [independently of God]–but it was far from me. That which is is far off, and that which is deep is very deep–who can find it out [true wisdom independent of the fear of God]? [Job 28:12-28; I Cor. 2:9-16.]”

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭7‬:‭20‬-‭24‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/8/ecc.7.20-24.AMPC

Let’s face it. We can’t be ‘righteous’ OR wise independently of God. (And why in the world would we ever try it??) Why chase after or seek wisdom in our own strength? Why chase after or strive for being in right standing WITH God if we don’t LEAN ON HIM for understanding of HOW to be in right standing with HIM? 

We are on the receiving end of strife and get in a huff wanting to grab the tweezers and go after the splinter in our fellows eye — yet we tend to speak contentiously to others when they’ve offend us. 

Hello! Can we not see for the mote in our own eye? 

Where is the Love of the One who dwells in us? 

“The mouth of the [uncompromisingly] righteous man is a well of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Hatred stirs up contentions, but love covers all transgressions. On the lips of him who has discernment skillful and godly Wisdom is found, but discipline and the rod are for the back of him who is without sense and understanding. Wise men store up knowledge [in mind and heart], but the mouth of the foolish is a present destruction.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭10‬:‭11‬-‭14‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/8/pro.10.11-14.AMPC

Love covers a multitude of sins (offenses). 

Love does. God is love. And we are to portray God’s love to all! 

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life]. [Matt. 12:37.]”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭21‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/8/pro.18.21.AMPC

We are filled with God’s Spirit and all have creative Word in our mouth. I mean, after all, it was God that SPOKE this world 🌎 into existence. 

His Spirit dwells in us. All power is given to us. 

“But now the righteousness of God has been revealed independently and altogether apart from the Law, although actually it is attested by the Law and the Prophets, Namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ (the Messiah). [And it is meant] for all who believe. For there is no distinction, Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives. [All] are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus, Whom God put forward [before the eyes of all] as a mercy seat and propitiation by His blood [the cleansing and life-giving sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation, to be received] through faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over and ignored former sins without punishment.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭3‬:‭21‬-‭25‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/8/rom.3.21-25.AMPC

😏 Yeah. We’ve all sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows (and receives). Yet — we are all JUSTIFIED [(just) as (if)(I’d) never sinned]  and made upright and in right standing with God FREELY and graciously through the blood-sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross! 🙌🏻

“Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God's own, secured) for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin). Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind). And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭29‬-‭32‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/8/eph.4.31.AMPC

Walking by His redeeming Grace, we need to guard our hearts ❤️(and mouths 👄 ) from bitterness and strife, unwholesome or worthless talk. We must be careful not to grieve the Heart of God with our bitterness, indignation, wrath, rage, temper, resentment, animosity, anger, quarreling, slander, or abusive language. 

❌ That needs to be BaNiShEd from us, as well as any spite, ill-will or malice. ❌

I mean, it can’t live in us where the Spirit of God dwells!! 

❤️ Christ empowers us to be kind, helpful, useful, tender hearted, compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted with the ability to FORGIVE as God has forgiven us. 

Banish the enemy. 

Kick🦵🏼out anything that is not of God. 

Uproot the anger. Bring it to God, and leave it there! 

♡pw 

What If We Gave Everything...

I recently heard the lyrics of a song and it resonated within my spirit. Please take the time to read them below (and listen, if you can), I'll continue my thoughts afterward. 

(YouTube Video with Lyrics)

https://g.co/kgs/heL948 

"What If I Gave Everything" - Casting Crowns 

All my life I longed to be a hero

My sword raised high, running to the battle

I was going to take giants down

Be a man you would write about

Deep in my chest is the heart of a warrior

 

So why am I still standing here

Why am I still holding back from You

I hear You call me out into deeper waters

But I settle on the shallow end

So why am I still standing here

 

So afraid what it might cost to follow You

I’d walk by faith if I could get these feet to move

But I don’t want to live that way

I don’t want to look back someday

On a life that never stepped across the line

 

So why am I still standing here

Why am I still holding back from You

You’ve given me a faith that can move a mountain

But I’m still playing in the sand

Building little kingdoms that’ll never stand

I hear You call me out into deeper waters

But I settle on the shallow end

 

I’m so tired of standing here

What if I gave everything to You

 

What if I gave everything

What if I stopped holding back from You

Starting now I’m stepping out onto deeper waters

What if I gave everything

What if I stopped holding back from You

Starting now I’m stepping out onto deeper waters

I want to see some mountains move

 

Ready to give everything

Say goodbye to standing here

--

All too often we say we are ready for the deep waters, yet here we are, still standing in the shallow of the beach. Why is it that we hold back from stepping forward? Is it fear? And if so, fear of what? Not being acceptable? Not being "good enough"? Not knowing exactly what to say? 

((Future Blog Topics!)) 

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Let's slow down a little. 

(I love it, God totally talks to me through these little "blurbs" I post on here. So yeah, this is me and my story, what I'm going through and dealing with.) 

Before we get too carried away, let's first figure out this: 

• What exactly am I saying when I say "deep waters"??

Glad you asked. "Deep Waters" is a place where I am completely engulfed, consumed and at the mercy of the 'current'. In this instance, the "Current" is God. I want to surrender my life completely over to HIM and HIS will. 

Okay, great! Isn't that every Christians desire? Yes, I pray so! So... if I want to surrender completely to His will, let's then figure out this: 

• What exactly IS God's will for my life RIGHT NOW? 

Again... glad you asked. I know there's some "major" things that God would have me and my husband do and/or participate in, however, I want to talk about the day to day things... 

“His master said to him, Well done, you upright (honorable, admirable) and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy (the delight, the blessedness) which your master enjoys.”
Matthew 25:21 AMPC http://bible.com/8/mat.25.21.ampc

So what small things should I be observing and being faithful in? 

Oh, simple. It really is quite simple. 

Do you like lists? Here's a good start: 

1. Daily Prayer. 
2. Reading & Applying the Word of God. 
3. Fasting. 
4. Love. 
5. Tithing & Offering. 

Whoooooaaaaa! Wait. There's no way it could really be that simple. No? Yeah. Really, I think it can be. 

If I begin with 

Daily Communing with the Lover, Redeemer, Savior and Friend of my Soul, 

Daily Reading His divine Word and applying it to my life... 

Fasting & Pray for the needs of others, 

Loving all of God's children unconditionally to the point of servanthood, 

Returning the tithe to God that is already His and give in abundance from what He has financially and physically blessed me with... 

I very well believe I'm on my way to walking in His Will! 

These things are my focus right now. This is the small things I'm trying to be faithful in. Sure, I slip up and fail to show the Love of God at times. Life gets busy and I don't read the Word as I should... sometimes prayer time is rushed--- but I'm longing for the deep. I'm ready to see what happens when I stop holding back from HIM. 

“I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.”
Romans 12:1 AMPC
http://bible.com/8/rom.12.1.ampc

We read in the scripture "make a decisive dedication of your bodies, present all of your members and faculties, as a living sacrifice". That's true worship. We cannot hold anything back. Not our time, our finances, our homes, our entertainment... if it's not pleasing God, we haven't given it to Him. 

Our time & how we spend it should be holy. 

Our finances and how we spend it should be Holy. 

Our homes and all that occupy it should be holy. 

Our entertainment should be Holy. 

If it isn't good, honest, true, and pure, we shouldn't be dwelling on it. 

He has done SO much for us, and in our favor, it is our reasonable, logical and ONLY service and form of worship-- to give ourselves wholly and completely to Him. 

((My "small things" list may not be all inclusive, and there's SO much more to discuss, but I'll save it for another post. 🙂)) 

So... what about you? What small thing are you finding yourself focusing on? Day-to-day. Are you being diligent? I'm tired of standing in the sand and building kingdoms that will never stay. Only what we do for Christ will last. I'm ready to see mountains move. You??? 😊

-pw 9/12/17

Faith Like Crazy

I was reading In Joshua this morning... ‬

“And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the Lord fought for Israel.”
‭‭Joshua‬ ‭10:13-14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We must maintain crazy faith, like Joshua, who just spoke to the sun "Sun stand still." 

Why is it that we doubt the power of OUR prayer as individuals? Satan wants nothing more than to sow seeds of doubt in your mind! If he can make you believe that your prayer ISN'T enough, the battle is half way over. He knows your downfalls and short-comings, he sees when you stumble- and he desires to keep you feeling unworthy of forgiveness! He battles your worth in Christ, your "clout", and wants you to doubt the power you hold when you speak the name of Jesus. You may feel tempted to pass prayer requests on, to others, so they can "help you pray" about something, and in the back of your mind you may feel THEY may reach heaven much faster than your prayers will... 

Absolutely there is power in numbers, and unity -- but it doesn't make the power Christ holds inside of us ANY less! 

It's time you start believing in the power that dwells within YOU -- Christ possesses all power, inside of YOU! No, it's never "look what I did!", but it's ALL for the Glory of God and God alone! 

It reminds me of a message Bishop Mike Dobbs preached years ago about "Extreme Faith". Do you have that? Do you have EXTREME faith? The moment we grasp the full power potential we hold with Christ dwelling in us, and living a holy life in OBEDIENCE to His Word, there will be NO stopping the Church! Have faith, even if it's the size of a mustard seed, it can MOVE MOUNTAINS! 

Believe in the power of prayer. It is important. But mostly, beginning today, believe in the power of YOUR prayer. 💕

pw 8/12/17 

Rivers in the Dry Wasteland - Isaiah 43:19

So today I had the privilege of spending some time with my younger sister on her awe-inspiring running trails. They're not your typical wooded-trails, but they're her 'running sanctuary', and to any runner, you understand the level of sacredness in "your running places". 

We ran mid-day, so I missed the beauty of her sunset tradition, but there was beauty if you looked for it. Pretty blooming wildflowers scattered the wood lines, deer, coon and coyote tracks scattered the gravel and dirt roads. 

As we ran, talked and laughed, we happened on a little something that captured my attention, and I had to snap a picture. 

Isaiah 43:16-21

The Message (MSG)

This is what God says,

    the God who builds a road right through the ocean,

    who carves a path through pounding waves,

The God who summons horses and chariots and armies—

    they lie down and then can’t get up;

    they’re snuffed out like so many candles:

“Forget about what’s happened;

    don’t keep going over old history.

Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.

    It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?

There it is! I’m making a road through the desert,

    rivers in the badlands.

Wild animals will say ‘Thank you!’

    —the coyotes and the buzzards—

Because I provided water in the desert,

    rivers through the sun-baked earth,

Drinking water for the people I chose,

    the people I made especially for myself,

    a people custom-made to praise me.

All too often, we get so hung up on what we've neglected, fallen short on, or completely messed up. God's word reminds us that He keeps no record of repented wrongs. Why do we, as human beings, think we are so much higher than God in the right that we refuse to forgive ourselves and forget? 

Here, in the right now, God is turning the page of our story. He's looking at the blank canvas and the one thing He desires most to hear is - "Go ahead Lord, be it unto thy handmaiden, according to thy will." 

Today, my heart cry is-- 

"Write my story, Father, how YOU see fit. Come alive in me, birth in my spirit what YOU would have manifest in my life. Let the fruit spring up, let your refreshing waters cool the parched soil of my soul. Let my soul and my very being magnify you. Keep my heart pure, and let your rivers flow out of me like a well spring of life. Let those around me see Christ in me, the absolute and only hope of glory! Let my life be a testament of your love, mercy and grace. Let all that I am, and all that I ever will be glorify you! It is in YOU that I live and have my being! I am fearfully and wonderfully made, wrought by the same hands that created this universe and all it's infinite wonder and beauty. Let my soul rejoice within me and sing praises to you always! Let my words and deeds bring you honor, and my thoughts exalt you above all. Let my mind stayed on You, and let me walk in peace and sweet communion throughout my day! Let my Soul be strengthened by Your Spirit, and my Will fall subject to You. Continue to mold me, make me, shape me as You would have me be, and let my life now and always bring you Glory and be a witness to those around me. I give you all praise, all glory, and all honor for all that you have done, and will do -- in your matchless, precious and eternal name, Jesus."

He's sitting, pen-in-hand, poised, awaiting your word. Will you let him write what He wills? ❤️

pw

Heart of Thanks: Day 4

~*Day 4*~

DONE! 

I delayed my workout.  

Like, by 30 minutes. I felt myself slipping into old habits... So I got up, and jumped into my workout. Possibly with tears in my eyes, but I got it done!!!!  

Biggest challenge today? LUNGE KICKS! 

I'm committed. 

Not just interested. 

I will see this through. 

Had Pumpkin Spice Shakeology *yum!* and a mile run in today!!! 

I can't wait to see the results of this round. 

Want to join me???? See post HEART OF THANKS for more details! (http://pamdiggity.blogspot.com/2015/10/heart-of-thanks-challenge.html)

I'm going to be transparent with you today. 

I just finished my workout, but I've got something real heavy on my mind. 

I'm sure you've seen my posts about "battling past depression", but today, I want to get a little real with you. 

I learned yesterday a young man took his life... He was twelve. This breaks my heart. 

My life story is full of laughter and animation (my parents can attest to that!) but I want to share with you briefly a few not-so-happy recollections I have of my past. 

I faced some mental hardships at 17. Was it anything in particular that triggered this turmoil? No, not really. I was just severely unhappy with myself. There were days I would hardly eat, and days I would eat all day long. I didn't have any real friends to connect to and I felt isolated and alone. This time period didn't last too terribly long, but the heart pains and dark depressive thoughts that attacked me made it seem like forever. 

It was during this time that I received some of the absolute best advice I could have heard. "Pam, be yourself. Be exactly who YOU are. You don't need anyone but Jesus. Maintain your relationship with your savior, let Him lead your decisions, friendships, and heart." 

Was I alone? Sure, physically I didn't have friends surrounding me, but my heart was full. I spent more time reading the Word of God, praying, fasting... My days was spent with school, work and shut up in my bedroom with my Bible. 

I lost an Aunt to suicide that December. It really shook me, because similar thoughts had haunted me just three months before-- but I had tapped into strength to ground me. Something no one could take away. My relationship with Jesus mattered far more than what I perceived others were thinking of me. 

It was just 2 months later, I met Joseph. I wasn't looking for him, nor did I want a relationship. But I had been praying and fasting God lead my life-- and as "they" say, I guess "the rest is history". 

God brought me through such a trying time to a season of joy and laughter -- and I only found it by drawing near to Him. 

Regardless of who agrees with me or not, I know that JESUS is the answer for "the world" today. But how do you change "the world"??? 

ONE PERSON AT A TIME. 

How do you change "one person"? 

BY STARTING WITH YOU. 

Be the example. Dive into The Word of God. Allow God to direct YOU -- and in turn, you can lead with passion & purpose. Love God & Love People. 

Be the One. 

Make an impact. 

Reach to those around you. You NEVER know what people, kids, children are going through. 

Be the Light. 

Illuminate the dark.

My Heart Focus Today: 

I am thankful for the Love of God. I cannot say it enough. There's nothing like it. He reaches to us where we are, regardless of where we are in our lives. He brings hope and love. He has fashioned us for a purpose! Before we were formed in the womb He fashioned us for a purpose in this life. We are HIS children! I cannot thank Him enough for keeping His hand over my life!!