I have people ask me, almost daily, how they can know they are making the right decision.  When our own minds are our greatest battlefield, it can seem virtually impossible to navigate life with a feeling of confidence.  This is all too normal.  There is an answer though…I move when I hear, see, or feel Him move…otherwise I remain.  I don’t force Him ahead.  I don’t attempt to coerce an incoercible God.  I wait on Him. 

Walking with God is as easy or complicated as we desire to make it.  Honestly, we are usually the ones who are overcomplicating everything.  And much of the time, we complicate it due to impatience or lack of confidence in hearing His voice. 

God tells us multiple times, in His word, that He will give us knowledge and wisdom if we ask…

We ask God to give you complete knowledge of His will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.  Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit.  All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.  Colossians 1:9b-10

I love the above verses because it highlights the fact that the more we learn to ask God for knowledge and live in His way…we grow to know Him better.

The better you know Him the less confusion there is over whether or not you’re hearing His voice.  The more you acquaint yourself with His voice and His character, the easier it is to discern Him.  It’s just true.

Familiarity is a key to really recognizing Him in every part of our lives. 

I enter each day, expecting to interact with Him.  I expect to see Him and hear Him every single day…do you? 

This is a very reasonable expectation because I deliberately embark on each day, leaning into Him.  It’s intentional.

Let’s look at the next part of the chapter in Colossians…

We also pray that you will be strengthened with all His glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need.  May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father.  He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people, who live in the light.  For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, Who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.  Colossians 1:11-14

We all need endurance and patience and here we see the way to walk in that…by being strengthened with all His glorious power.  We need His power.  We shouldn’t be afraid to seek it or ask for it.  We need His power to have patience. 

Seek His knowledge and power and it will change your life.

I have noticed so many believers getting caught up in the fight against the evil one.  So caught up that many believe we can’t really win.  Others feel there’s an enemy around every corner, which isn’t altogether wrong…it’s just the wrong focus. 

Look at this scripture…

Don’t wait in ambush at the home of the godly, and don’t raid the house where the godly live.  The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.  But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.  Proverbs 24:15-16

Take heart!!!  One disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.  This is good news.  We have been beat back repeatedly, but just like scripture says, we are never destroyed…in fact, it only makes us stronger.  But the wicked…it only takes one disaster to overthrow them.  They have no hope.  They have no foundation.  They have no real strength.  The principalities of darkness are not as strong as we give them credit for being. 

In a contest, there is NO comparison between God and any other living thing.  NONE.  Never, ever forget that. 

Live like you believe that and you will change the world. 

But as for me, I will always proclaim what God has done; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.  For God says, “I will break the strength of the wicked, but I will increase the power of the godly.”        Psalm 75:9-10

Remember that the wicked are always loud and raucous because that’s all they really have.  They only have words.  They have no real authority.  No real action.  God is God over all things and all powers and principalities must bow to Him…without exception.  He is.

And while it’s good to celebrate the victory of the Lord, it’s not okay to rejoice over enemies stumbling. 

Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall; don’t be happy when they stumble.  For the Lord will be displeased with you and will turn His anger away from them.  Proverbs 24:17-18

Those controlled by the wicked one, need God’s mercy just as we do.  He desires them to all turn to Him.  Don’t forget that sometimes it’s through the stumbling in our lives that we come to the reality of Jesus and our desperate need for Him.

I, too, once behaved as a wicked one.  It was those who extended mercy to me during those seasons who helped draw me to His throne.  He uses all of us, whether we are aware of it or not.

When faced with all kinds of evil, let’s be a people that remember that one disaster is all it takes to turn the tide.  Don’t be afraid. 

Some of you may recall a month or so ago, I wrote about a dream I had…in the dream I had an interaction with Joanna Gaines and through it, God revealed a lot about His plans for me…then later, He told me that limiting beliefs were standing in my way.  That topic circled back to me yesterday as I read a book.  It was discussing limiting beliefs, and then I realized that when we live by those limits, we are living a lie. 

It’s a lie for me to believe and live as if I can’t trust anyone.  It’s a lie for me to believe and live as if I am too much and others will never understand me.  It’s a lie for me to believe and live as if I am always doing the wrong thing…and the list goes on and on.

Yesterday, while reading that book, it challenged me to go back in my memory to the first trauma I remember, (which I’ve done for healing many times) but this time, I was looking for the limiting beliefs that were birthed in that place.  There were a lot. 

I don’t want to live a lie ever again.  I want my mind and thoughts to be bathed in God’s truth.  To replace every one of those lies with a truth from Him. 

It humbles me to share all of this with you, but I know this season requires a level of humility I’ve never known before. 

I’ve received a lot of heart healing in the past.  I still receive it when necessary.  I’ve seen God replace one lie after another with the truth.  But this is the first time I’ve addressed belief in this way…and I am desiring two things…that I find new depths of healing and that I share this process with you so you can too!

Let’s stop living a lie.  Let’s allow the truth to fill our minds.  I wonder what heights we will soar to after today?!

Just remember this verse when you are establishing the way you see the world, yourself, and others…

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.  Philippians 3:8a

There are several good verses surrounding that one, but it shoots the arrow right into the heart of what should be our absolute focus.  The only voice we should allow to speak into our minds, is Christ’s.  Jesus alone is enough.  He makes us enough.  That is all.  That is the truth.

I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.  Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.  For His sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with Him.  I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ.  For God’s way of making us right with Himself depends on faith.  Philippians 3:7-9

God is fulfilling His word.  There are many things that He has ordained and foretold that are irrevocable.  There are certain events and things that will happen no matter what.  Also, when God makes a covenant, He never breaks it.  Never. 

“For the mountains may move and hills disappear, but even then My faithful love for you will remain.  My covenant of blessing will never be broken,” says the Lord, Who has mercy on you.  Isaiah 54:10

I believe we are to take hold of the promises now, more than ever.  When God highlights them to you in scripture, He’s trying to extend them over you.  Are you willing to receive?

“Come to Me with your ears wide open.  Listen, and you will find life.  I will make an everlasting covenant with you.  I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.  See how I used him to display My power among the peoples.  I made him a leader among the nations.  You also will command nations you do not know, and peoples unknown to you will come running to obey, because I, the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, have made you glorious.”  Isaiah 55:3-5

God is moving on the earth.  Do you perceive it?  We are in the midst of a great flood of the Lord.  A flood of His presence is working its way across the earth.  The plans of the wicked will be cut off!  The victory of the Lord is sure. 

We can cling to the covenants God has made with us, as if they are buoys in the ocean.  They are a safe place to dwell.  We must train our eyes to see beyond what is before us.  We must perceive where He is moving and what He is doing.

This is not a season to just fill a pew on Sunday.  NO!!!

This is a time to walk with Jesus.  Find comfort and instruction from Holy Spirit.  Become confident of our Father, God.

Stop allowing the world to tell you what’s happening and begin to look toward heaven first.  I can’t tell you how often I hear some sort of negative news and my spirit says, “No! God is doing something very different from that.”  I turn a deaf ear to the report of the lost…and cling to the report of the Lord.

What do we do?

This is what the Lord says: “Be just and fair to all.  Do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you and to display My righteousness among you.  Blessed are all those who are careful to do this.  Blessed are those who honor My Sabbath days of rest and keep themselves from doing wrong.  Isaiah 56:1

We know what we don’t want.  We know what we don’t need, but what do we need?  We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit.  Being filled with the Holy Spirit is the second most important thing that we can do.  Salvation, then filled with Holy Spirit.

More than that we should join together and worship.  We should worship alone.  Worship without ceasing…always giving thanks. 

Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.  And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.  Ephesians 5:18b-21

Yesterday, I was worshiping at the piano and singing the song whose lyrics say…”I just want to move your heart.”  As I was singing, I did ask God, “What moves Your heart?”  I immediately heard God say, “Gratitude moves My heart.” 

I sat stunned as in a second He flashed before me all these things He’d done in my life recently and even though we’d been grateful on one level…on another level…we saw so much more that needed to happen so the gratitude wasn’t coming from a deep enough place.  God desired for my foundation to be gratitude. 

Friend, there are times when we all do this.  In your pursuit of more of God…don’t stop being grateful for each victory, no matter how small it is.  In your pursuit of what’s next in your life, don’t forget to practice continual gratitude. 

Scripture says,

Then I will praise God’s name with singing, and I will honor Him with thanksgiving.  For this will please the Lord more than sacrificing cattle, more than presenting a bull with its horns and hooves.  The humble will see their God at work and be glad.  Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged. Psalm 69:30-32

Practicing gratitude isn’t a Thanksgiving season practice…it’s supposed to be our lifestyle.

Give thanks and be filled.

God, thank You for all that You are and all that You’ve done.  Thank You for never giving up on me.  Thank You for being so faithful.  Thank You for all You are…thank You for the way You do things.  You move my heart every day…help me to move Yours too.  In Jesus name, Amen.

As I read through the Bible again this year, I am struck all over again at how relevant it is.  History ignored is likely to be repeated.  History acknowledged and studied, is useful.  It can help you have courage.  It can give you wisdom to not repeat the negative things.  It can encourage you to move forward.  History is important.

God gives us a standard to live by.  Today I want to share a chunk of scripture from Ephesians.  It gives so much insight when you read it and reflect on our current culture and state of affairs.

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children.  Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.  He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.  Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you.  Such sins have no place among God’s people.  Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes- these are not for you.  Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.  You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God.  For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping, the things of this world.  Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey Him.  Don’t participate in the things these people do.  For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord.  So, live as people of light!  For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.  Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.  Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.  It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret.  But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible.  This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”  So be careful how you live.  Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.  Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.  Don’t act thoughtlessly but understand what the Lord wants you to do.  Ephesians 5:1-17

Now, tell me this scripture isn’t ripe with relevance!!  It is so, so powerfully relevant that it’s hard to believe. 

The world is dark, but the Light of the world lives within each one of us who have accepted Jesus as our Savior!!!!  This is the power of the good news. 

Let’s re-read the portion that says, “Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins…”  I believe today is the day to fully repent of our excuses and those who excuse all types of behavior.  Yes, I know we all sin and fall short of God’s glory, but some of us do so and repent…while others do so and make it gospel. 

Let that sink in.  You know it’s true. 

Our world has worked overtime to pardon every sin.  Only Jesus can make us right.  We don’t get to rewrite the gospel to suit us. 

It’s time to look back to move forward.

Look back on your moment of salvation.  Thank God and remember what He has done for you.  Then move forward with a heart that fears the Lord, not man.

The fruit of your fear shows you the root of the fear…

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  That fear isn’t like the spirit of the fear that the enemy brings.  It’s a reverence.  An acknowledgment of God’s greatness.  A desire to walk well so you remain close to His heart.  It’s a healthy fear. 

The spirit of fear causes panic and anxiety.  It nudges people toward mistakes because they feel out of control.  Spirit of fear has to do with a fear of punishment and bad outcomes. 

Can you see the difference?

The fruit of the fear of the Lord is righteousness.  The fruit of the spirit of fear is all compromise.

Look at this scripture…

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.  Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.  This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved- and that by God.  Philippians 1:27-28

When we refuse to be frightened by those who oppose us, we are prophesying their destruction.  How powerful is that?  Wow. 

The more fear barks at you and demands your surrender to it…the more it tries to paralyze you with its heaviness, the more you should be encouraged to stand firm in peace.

Jesus is the Prince of peace.  Where Jesus is, there is always peace. 

It’s time for us to prophesy death to the enemy by refusing to give in to the spirit of fear.  It’s time for the believers to walk away from being controlled by the spirit of fear, who is trying to bully all of our culture into captivity. 

This is our exodus season!!! Arise.  Break agreement with the spirit of fear!!  Put on the fear of the Lord!!  Walk in righteousness and truth.  Hold fast to the Lord.  Stay focused on His eyes. 

Come Lord Jesus and break the yoke of fear from our lives.  Place within each one of us a hunger for righteousness.  Bless our families.  Bless our homes.  Bless our obedience.  Fill us with a fierceness and authority that makes hell shake in fear.  I turn all fear that the enemy has pointed at me back into the enemy camp.  I label all reports of fear sent my way with “return to sender” and refuse to entertain even the thoughts.  I will trust in You.  Your news is always good news.  I love You.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

I have been very reflective lately.  I’m not fully sure why, but I’m keenly aware that it’s an important part of the journey I’m on.  I have thought through my entire marriage with Chris.  Every decision we’ve made.  Every perceived victory and defeat…I say “perceived” because of what I’m about to say…anyway, I’ve thought through everything.  Every detail. 

While doing this, I began to feel ashamed.  Ashamed of some of our decisions and wondering if they are the reason we’ve been wandering for so long.  I’ve been mad at myself for not figuring things out quicker.  And I could go on and on…

But in the middle of all those thoughts and musings, God spoke to me, “Lisa, you weren’t failing.  You were training.  You were growing up and learning new things.  I am not disappointed with you.  I am not frustrated with you.  I was leading you the whole time.  Don’t be ashamed of your process, be grateful.”

Again, I’m letting those words pour over me like a healing salve.  Thank You, Lord.

Friend, I don’t know where you are in life.  On a mountaintop or in a valley.  In a high point or low.  But I do know one thing, God is there.  He is patiently guiding you through your own process.  Praise the Lord!!

The people of the earth will die like flies, but My salvation lasts forever.  My righteous rule will never end!  Isaiah 51:6b

We are on the winning team! God’s salvation is sure.  His rule will never end.  We can lean on Him. 

Do you trust God enough to allow Him to train you?  Do you have enough courage to look on the past and find the teaching?  Are you humble enough to search for His favor over every moment in your history?  His blessing was there.  His way was making your way.  His word is true. 

Trust Him.  Friend, trust Him in all things, not just easy things.  Trust Him with your past, present, and future.  Trust Him.  Trust His timing.  Trust His favor over your life.  Trust His plan.  Trust.

Trust Him enough to say no to things that He says aren’t good for you, no matter how wonderful they seem.  Trust Him enough to walk away from things that you thought were from Him, but now realize aren’t.  Trust Him to lead you through any and all seasons.  Trust.

Trust and faith.  They are basically the same thing.  They are partners.   

Faith is believing in what you have not yet seen.  Trust is continuing to move forward when you have not yet seen. 

Can you have faith and trust that through your life, you’ve been training not failing?

Rise from the dust, O Jerusalem.  Sit in a place of honor.  Remove the chains of slavery from our neck, O captive daughter of Zion.  Isaiah 51:2

God is our Source.  The Everything.  The Only thing.  Without Him we can’t do anything.

“I am the vine; you are the branches.  If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from You, we can do nothing.”  John 15:5

I came across this next scripture during my reading this week…

Abraham was only one man when I called him.  But when I blessed him, he became a great nation.  Isaiah 51:2b

I felt so alive when I read it.  Abraham was nothing special…it was the blessing of the Lord that brought increase.  I am nothing special.  It is God Who either blesses what I do, or not.  It’s the same for you.  God brings the increase that matters.

Again, my heart is drawn to point out the world of self-promotion over heavenly devotion.  I can’t seem to escape this theme right now.  In fact, it’s brought me to some very vulnerable and real moments with God lately…moments when I have realized that I got off track in one way or another and began pursuing my own ends over His. 

Oh Lord, forgive me for any time that I have gone astray and followed after my own ways and forgotten Yours.  Lord, I fully devote myself to You again and again.  This world has nothing for me.  You are all I need, want, and desire. 

Friends, I think I keep circling this topic because it’s so necessary for us to be fully devoted, now more than ever.  There is no room for lukewarm.  There is no time for self over God.  He has brought out His winnowing fork and is separating those who are truly devoted to Him and those who are more devoted to themselves.  We are in a season where every day we are seeing one after another Christian leader or influencer falling away.  This is further evidence of what I am speaking.

This is the season of dividing…

Friends, we don’t need to promote ourselves and our “brand” or agenda…we need to be devoted to God alone. 

Are you?

Examine your heart.  Repent if you need to, like I did.  Turn away from personal promotion and seek His face.  That’s the only way you’ll ever be truly satisfied. 

When God blesses you…the increase comes.

In the past, I know I’ve discussed this…but before I begin today’s devotional, I’d like to remind you.  We are made in the image of God, and one parallel that He gives us is this…God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…a triune being.  Likewise, we are a spirit (the part of us that receives salvation and goes to heaven), we have a soul (mind, will, and emotions) and a body.

As I was exercising and watching the sunrise one morning, I had noticed a discomfort in my lower left abdomen.  I didn’t think a lot about it, but while exercising…I heard the Lord say, “You are soul sick.”  Then I saw that part of my abdomen, like it was highlighted, and God reminded me that I’ve always referenced that spot in my body when I talk about my soul.  As in, I associate my soul with that spot on my body. 

That may be strange to you, but that’s apparently not strange to God because He’s the one that pointed it out that day.

Anyway, I hadn’t realized that I had been feeling soul sick.  In fact, I didn’t know that existed until now.  Heart sick, yes.  Soul sick?  Nope, I’d never heard of that before.  But now it makes total sense because, as I previously stated…our soul is composed of our mind, will, and emotions…which is our heart.

I saw Him reach in and take my soul in His hand and it did look sick.  After God showed me this, I felt a lot of the unprocessed disappointment and grief, etc. and I asked God to heal my soul.  I saw Him holding my sick soul and then breathing on it and it became light again. 

I wonder today, are you soul sick? 

Scripture tells us…

Beloved friend, I pray that you are prospering in every way and that you continually enjoy good health, just as your soul is prospering.  3 John 1:2

We need a healthy soul.  We should be the healthiest people alive.  God’s people.  God’s chosen. 

Seek Him today.  Find out the state of your soul.  Allow Him to be honest with you.  See the truth.  It’s worth it.  Even if the truth offends you…believe me, it offended me…but in the best way.  It brought me to revelation of my motives, and that is priceless.