jesus

Inspiration AND Perspiration

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Galatians 5:25

New Living Translation

25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

New Living Translation

24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

In a previous season, a brother in Christ sat down with his wife, my man, and me @ our Jesus table for a chat one afternoon. (The Jesus table is a 9 foot, 100+ year old oak table another brother found in a tobacco barn on his plantation, which he restored and sold to us while living in North Carolina.) He confirmed a call on my life to preach and prophesy through the written word – specifically referring to the devotional type blog you are now reading. He was a gifted entrepreneur who wanted to help monetize my website. I heard him out, but at the end of the discussion I just “knew” it wasn’t the time or season or intention of my heart to make money from my writing.  He understood, saying, “I get it. You simply want to write under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. You don’t want to write because your followers demand it.” “Yes. Exactly!” I replied.

Fast forward a few years… my soul – and my writing entered into a wilderness experience. As I walked through that valley of the shadow, I was no longer inspired to pick up my pen and put it to paper. My heart and my voice remained silent for a long, long, time. Blog posts became less and less frequent, to the point that I wondered, “is the writing stream all dried up?”

Fast forward a few more years… into The Promised Land. Another brother affirmed the call seemingly out of nowhere one Sunday morning after a worship service. I was taken aback, shocked that anyone was still reading the random posts I shared on social media! His words encouraged my soul and I tucked those seeds into the soil of my heart.

Today, as I was worshipping as I worked (doing chores with headphones on!) the Holy Spirit whispered a revelation: in a previous season, I wrote when I was inspired…but in this season, He was requiring me to write with inspiration AND perspiration.

Lemme explain.

I don’t always feel like writing. Although my feelings are valid, they aren’t always submitted to Truth. Therefore, I must train myself to listen and obey the Word, whether I feel like it, or not. Just like an athlete, I discipline myself to do what He says, knowing He has given me the grace and gift to write. His INSPIRATION AND my PERSPIRATION are required to please the Father. This is how we worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. This is how we prove that we love Him. This is how we produce good fruit that partners with good gifts to make disciples throughout the world.

What is the Lord INSPIRING you to do, my friend? Its time to start running. It’s time to start PERSPIRING – cuz there’s people along your path that need what you’ve been called to carry.

A Prayer (fighting the good fight)

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1 Timothy 6:11-14

11 … Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. 13 And I charge you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you obey this command without wavering. Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.

God, YOU said that when we fight the good fight of faith, it’s not by our strength or our power, but by YOUR Spirit. That means: we have to SEEK first YOUR Kingdom. Then all the things, all the plans for how to resist the devil will be given to us. Only then will we be able to go – and possess the land YOU promised. When we humble ourselves, seek YOUR face and turn from our wicked ways, no power or principality of darkness will harm us. No weapon formed against us will prosper. When we submit to YOU, as children, in childlike faith, we prove that YOU are our Father. A chosen few are doing that. But many that are called are running around like orphans with poopy diapers, swinging swords they aren’t strong enough to handle. Oh, that we would grow up and become spiritually mature sons and daughters!

How many times have YOU forgiven us our trespasses against YOU? In our ignorance we’ve believed we’re grown- just because we’re gifted! Heaven, help us. Many of us are doing good works; using spiritual gifts with gusto as explosive diarrhea overflows our sagging diapers. Our sacrifices have been detestable to YOU. They stink like week old dirty diapers! YOU are not interested in our Simon the Sorcerer routine; performing miracles, signs and wonders for the crowd….without knowing YOU. Without loving YOU! It’s obvious: we love ourselves and others more. The proof is evidence against us: we refuse to obey YOU. We’ve been content performing for love instead of from love.

When will we STOP?

When will we BE STILL?

When will we LAY DOWN and let our parents (the spiritually mature believers YOU have placed in our lives) help change us?

When we confess that we’ve rejected YOU as Father. When we repent for resisting YOUR authority. When we realize we’ve been deceived, doubted and followed the advice of the father of lies. “Don’t tell me what to do!” is the mantra of his children. They’ve declared their declaration of independence in their hearts. They’ve chosen to remain orphans; independent, impetuous and impatient… willing to survive alone, as individuals.

Lord, forgive us. We do not know what we are doing! We need a spanking. We need a time out. We need to be grounded. We need our toy swords to be taken away for a season to rest, recover and be restored to YOU: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We need to become HOLY as YOU are holy! Then we need to be reconciled to our fathers and mothers & brothers and sisters in Christ.

We confess all our crap to you, Lord! We repent for acting like orphans. We repent for being rebellious children. We declare a new declaration of DEPENDANCE on YOU, our good Father. We ask for YOUR helper- YOUR Spirit to lead us into all Truth. Change our hearts as YOU change our diapers! Train us in the way we should go. Potty train us. Teach us to grow up! We wanna become spiritually mature. We want to develop into healthy & holy kids, teenagers and adults. And when we are able, we ask that YOU show us how to parent the young ones as YOU have parented us; teaching us to obey all YOU have commanded.

Amen.

Well Being

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Philippians 4:6-9

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

6 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition ([a]definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.

7 And God’s peace [shall be yours, that [b]tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall [c]garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].

9 Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of [d]untroubled, undisturbed well–being) will be with you.

There’s a sign in my psychologist’s office that says “Well Being.” Beneath those words is a list of action items that contribute to us being made well:

Serving

Faith

Social

Relaxation

Fitness

Nutrition

Sleep

Fun

Time in Nature

Nine seemingly insignificant words. Simple, small things packed with Spirit & Truth. I’ve read and pondered that list for more than two years. I even took a picture and keep it on my phone as a reminder. And you know what!? Those seeds that have been sown into the soil of my heart are beginning to spring up! They are finally producing good fruit:

I’m serving.

I’m full of faith.

I’m social.

I’m relaxed.

I’m getting fit.

I’m sleeping.

I’m having more fun!

I’m spending time in nature.

And, now….

I’m consuming good nutrition!

Well Being

This month I began a new thing: I hired a nutrition coach. Why, you ask? I needed help. I couldn’t do it on my own. I tried. Repeatedly. And failed.  I’ve been overweight and under active for years. One of my goals in moving to the Sunshine State was eating better and being more active again. Ever since I was a kid, I loved being in the great outdoors, spending time in nature. But somewhere in the middle, I forgot about being well. Amidst the hustle and bustle, the hurry and worry of life, I stopped caring for myself. I stopped loving myself as God loves me: body, soul and spirit.

There are many reasons the Lord called us to Florida. I’m convinced that one of them is this: I needed to get well. And now, there’s no excuse for me not getting my rear end outside (well, except the part where it feels like we’re living on the surface of the sun in the summertime!) The infrastructure in this state is conducive to an active lifestyle in nature that is preserved for its wildlife- and its people.

Last year my man and I started walking daily on the Ft. Fraser Trail near our house to prepare for our trip to Paris. We were so proud of ourselves for keeping up with our friends adventuring through France that we didn’t stop walking when we got home! Moving is not only good for our bodies, it’s good for our hearts as well. We walk and talk to each other and to God every morning.

By partnering personal fitness with the wisdom of a nutrition expert, I’m also learning what my body needs to thrive from the inside out. Honestly, I’ve been embarrassed by my ignorance in regards to food. God’s Word is true – we do perish for a lack of knowledge! But thank the Lord for those in the body of Christ who are helping me in my weakness. I’m eternally grateful for the encouragement I’ve received from so many in our covenant community. By practicing what I’ve learned, my spiritual, mental and nutritional/fitness health is producing good fruit. The peace of God is now ruling and reigning in my life. I am untroubled. I am undisturbed.

This is well being.

My friend, I want to encourage you today in the Lord. Are you sick – and tired? Physically, emotionally or spiritually? His strength is sufficient! Ask Him for help to get well, and be well, beloved. Begin by worshipping Him right now, in Spirit and Truth:

PRAY (v 6)

PRAISE Him! (v 6)

Receive His PEACE (v 6)

PRACTICE what is preached (v 9)