Vision

Sometimes we find ourselves frustrated we look at our current circumstance and long for change. Sometimes we have no idea how or when to take the steps toward change if you have ever felt this way your not alone. (KJV) Proverbs 29:18 Where [there is] no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy [is] he. I believe God has given each of his children a specific purpose. He has designed us to have our own thoughts, needs, and desires that can only be nurtured, fulfilled and sustained by his beautiful love. He has a plan for you! You are not a mistake! If we don't focus on Gods vision for our lives, we instead focus on our past. Good or bad its a distraction and before long we look up and rather than living Gods vision for our lives, years have passed and were in the same situation.

Some may say, "I don't know Gods vision for my life." I charge you to pray and ask him. You don't have to be super spiritual you can literally say, "Hey God, I have no idea what you have in store for me, but I want to believe you have a plan for my life. I'm sorry for doing things my way, it's not working. I understand you have made me for a purpose please show me what it is." Let your heart lead you from there. God wants to have real conversations with you, He is not just passing through. (KJV) Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Sometimes we know Gods vision for our lives but we feel discouraged and so far from our dreams. I feel this way often and have to remind myself of Joseph. He was in a pit, sold into slavery, set up, and thrown into jail all before his dream was realized! So we need to stand strong, holding on to Gods vision for our lives knowing that it will come to past.
(NLT) Habakkuk 2:3 This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.

Father,
Thank you for designing us to do great things. Thank you for taking the time to have a plan for each one of our lives. Move our hearts to submit to your plan because we know that you know us even better than we know ourselves. Give us wisdom, patience and discernment, and please give us vision for our careers, families, education, marriages, finances and health. In Jesus name, amen.

Receiving Gods Best

When I was a little girl my grandmother and I were out running errands. She told me that once we were finished, I could get a happy meal from McDonalds. Once we finished we went to Red Lobster. I was livid! I wanted a happy meal! Clearly Ref Lobster was the better choice.

Sometimes in life we want something so badly, we don't stop to realize we are living Gods best. Your spouse that's getting on your nerves is Gods best for you, the job that you hate, is Gods best for you, the spouse your waiting on is Gods best for you.

Rather than fighting so hard against where you currently are in love, life, work and ministry take a moment to look at where you are you may see your current circumstance is a result of Gods best for you.

God,
Thank you for giving us your best. Sometimes where we are doesn't look like we imagined it to be, or feel how we expect it to but we know that all things work together for our good. Father, we don't want the fast and easy when what you have for us is quality and takes time to develop. We apologize for trying to create what we think you have in store for us rather than trust your perfect will. Thank you for giving us your best, working your best in us, and preparing us to receive your best. In Jesus name.
Amen

What Christianity Isn't

Being a Christian isn't about what you don't do. It's not a list of rules saying: don't curse, don't lie, don't steal, don't cheat or don't kill. It's not about lifting your hands at the right time or shouting, "amen" when the preacher speaks.

Being a Christian is about complete freedom. Freedom to go before the God of heaven and earth and to have a relationship with Him. As a result, you may not curse or at least not as often. You won't lie or steal (or maybe less frequently) and you will not be as inclined to commit murder. If the preaching gets really good you might even lift your hands and let out a shout.

Christianity is honoring the sacrifice Christ made by accepting Him into our hearts and lives so we can have a relationship with God the father and be empowered by His Holy Spirit. As a result of your relationship with Him you change because you don't want anything to come between He and you or between He and anyone else.

Here are a few scriptures for you. 1 Corinthians 8:9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak

Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery

2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom

Father,
Thank you for the freedom we have in you. Help us not to focus on the things we shouldn't do but to focus instead on strengthening our relationship with you knowing that through constant fellowship with you and meditation on your word, all things that are not like you will fall away from our lives. Thank you for you word. Thank you for your son, Jesus. Amen

Helping God

I'm sitting in the middle of the floor with my daughter folding clothes and stacking them neatly when she comes by sits down and unfolds each thing and sets it in a pile for me to refold. She isn't being mean, in fact, in her mind she is helping me by mimicking what she perceives to be my behavior.

Sometimes we see God doing a work and rather than let Him complete the work (because He will complete what He has set out to do Isaiah 55:11), He has started we began to assist Him by trying to mimic Him. The Bible says His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8). As much as we want to be like God He does not require our assistance.

Thank God for His grace instead of chastising us for unfolding what He has folded He simply refolds. I think He may even smile at our desire to imitate Him.

Father,
Thank you for folding or preparing things in our lives whether it be finances, relationships, careers, or even families. Thank for your guidance and direction. We pray that you continue to use us and we trust that in your time your will, will be done. Amen

The Power of Submission

I was putting my daughter down for a nap today and she fought. She fought so hard that she was standing, holding the rails of her crib, eyes closed refusing to lay down. Refusing to submit to her body's need for sleep. She fights sleep for different reasons sometimes it's because she's over stimulated, other times it's rebellion but if she would go right to sleep rather than fighting she would have much more awake time to play and explore.

This made me stop and examine my level of submission. There are times in my life where God's will is clear but sometimes I'm overstimulated. I get so caught up in being a wife, mother, daughter, sister, author ext. that I don't hear God clearly and as a result I don't submit to His plan or will.

Other times I may just be rebellious sure that my way will yield desirable results not wanting guidance or direction. Whatever the case may be fighting Gods will results in exhaustion and disappointment. If we submit to rather than fight to God's will we will have much more time to bask in the life He has for us.

Some hear the word submission and cringe but it's often in times of submission that you get what you need. When you set aside your plans for God's it is then that you find joy, peace, rest, and overwhelming love. He is the cure to heartbreak and loneliness, to bitterness and unforgiveness and He knows you so much better than you know you.

Proverbs 20:24

God,
Thank you for your word. Thank you for creating each one of us with a purpose in mind. As we grow in you and yield to your plan in every area in our lives bless those areas father. We thank you for your continued work in our lives. Touch the hearts of all who read this in Jesus name, Amen

What is In a Name?

In Bible days your name defined you. One could hear your name and make accurate assumptions about you and your family. For example Jacob means surplanter, this is someone who takes the place of another which is fitting when we review the story of Jacob and Esau. In Genesis 32:28 (NKJV) Jacob’s identity was changed, his character was changed and his name was changed. “And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel;* for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.".” When Jacob became Israel his character changed, the way he was to be viewed and addressed changed all because of this one event in his life. 

Saul on the other hand means “called by God” or “asked for”. If we look at Acts 9:20-22 Saul just had scales removed from his eyes and he began proclaiming the name of God. He is not called Paul until we get to Acts 13:9 where we see him confronting a sorcerer. With his name change his dominion changed. He had more authority. Paul means little, or humble. It’s interesting that Paul went from his name having authority to his name meaning humility. He accomplished much more as a humble servant to God than he ever did as a persecutor. 

When I got married, like Jacob a single event changed my name, I was no longer LeeAnah Walters, single independent woman. I became LeeAnah James joined with Kristian James through this life unto death. This event changed the way people viewed and communicated with me. After this event I was able to speak on my husband’s behalf, and he on mine. I became Mrs. rather than Miss. I was no longer independent but co-dependent.

Motherhood on the other hand is a lot like Saul’s transformation it was a process. Once the seed was planted it had to grow and develop, things about me had to change. I had certain restrictions that I didn’t before. I had requirements I had to meet in order to properly sustain the seed. The responsibility came before the title change. Even before it was evident I was hard at work. Now I hold this beautiful girl in my arms with my new name mom, and have been given the authority to serve in a new capacity. 

Take the time to look at your names. What names do you want to change? What names have changed? What areas in your life is God changing your character or growing things in you?

Father,

Thank you for both those life changing moments and those character building journeys. As you continue to change our names in the different areas of our lives I pray for both awareness and strength for the journey. You word is ever relevant thank you for allowing us to apply it to our daily lives. I am so blessed that you love us so much that you tailor made your word to fit our individual situations. Cover us as we grow in your word. In Jesus name. Amen

My Life is a Letter

My life is not my own
It is a letter
To be read by those around me

A message of hope and peace
Trials and triumphs
Wisdom and understanding

Most importantly it is a delaration
Of Gods unchanging love
And salvation through His son Jesus

This letter may be interpurted
Through eyes that are hurting
Proud, angry or ashamed

However, the message remains
God is Love and
Love calls your name.

2 Cor. 3:2-4