Mature into perfection

His strength is made PERFECT in our weakness. Perfection is wholeheartedly pressing into maturity. The things that life throws at us can rock us to the core if we stay focused on them. Feeling isolated a and alone will definitely push us into the direction of a lifestyle that makes your heart grow cold to many things. Even when people reach out in love you reject it from a hollow and lonely that has deceived you into believing it's just you against the world. That's a hardcore outlook on everything and we justify ourselves for the destructive things we do and the dark thought we have.   

What keeps me going is one word that God continuously answers me with "TRUST me". The bible says "trust the Lord your God and lean not to your own understanding, acknowledge him in all your ways and He WILL direct your path". It's not always easy to have faith in what we can't fathom but doing so certainly proves itself as the perfection of strength over and over again. 

Lost and Found

Inspired by Luke Chapter 15

"The Sheep”

Lord, help us to understand the parables you speak to us in this season. 

Help us to leave the fanfare and crowd, to go after the one that is lost.

Give us the wisdom of the words to speak and the tools to use, to guide the sheep back to the safety of your flock.

Until we reach them one by one, help them to begin to know your voice; help them to rightly divide the truth that is hidden in their hearts buried under the wiles of the enemy.

“The Lost Coin”

Help us to rejoice with those who rejoice.

Help us to stand in proxy and intercede with those who have suffered loss.

Help us Dear Lord to show compassion and to not be too selfish to lend a hand to our brothers and sisters, even in our lack.

Help us to celebrate with them as they recover what has been lost. Equip us to be the Repairer of the Breach as we lead them to you Christ Jesus.

“The Lost Son”

Father, help us to surrender our will that Thy Will be done!

Father, we sit at your table waiting for your divine daily bread of the Word you desire for us to eat today.

Lord Jesus, help us in this season not to grow weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap a harvest if we faint not!

Help us in this season to admonish in love the one that is lost.

Help us in this season not to develop a spirit of competition for you know the thoughts you think towards us; thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give us an expected end.

The earth is yours and the fullness thereof.

Help us to run this race with endurance, in our own lane, not missing our assignment because we were too busy coveting our neighbor.

Help us not to imitate, copycat or clone, but emulate the heart of Christ.

Help us to walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen. (Jude 1:24-25)

-Terwana J. Brown 4/24/13

OUTSTANDING!

OUTSTANDING!

Riding in to work, the fog is heavy but yet visibility is crystal clear in front of me. I can't see the things afar off, there's just pure white density but my immediate path is not obscured. My mind begins to wander about the path of life and how we can vividly see the things around that many times are not what we envisioned our paths to be. We look ahead and we see bleakness through the heavy fogs of burdens, trials, and circumstances. But yet there's something on the inside that tells to keep pressing no matter what it looks like. We ultimately know that something is the Holy Spirit on the inside that nudges us forward. If we keep it real, there are so many things going on in our lives at times that our vision is obstructed by the fog delays and we resort to calling it something. Jesus our guide, keeps us moving and what once seemed so far off appears right in front of our faces and we realize it was there all the time, it just wasn't in plain view.

Well something got ahold of me on my ride in and my thoughts were shifted to a text I had received earlier from a beloved sister that ended with "Have an outstanding day!" HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH! A praise erupted from me as the Spirit began to speak to me encouraging me to...

• Keep out standing the enemy - fight him with praise
  
• Keep out standing the attacks - combat them with spiritual weapons
  
• Keep out standing the bites of the spiders that desire to keep you entangled on their webs of envy, jealousy, and deception - I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD...WHOM THE SON SETS FREE IS FREE INDEED
• Keep out standing the lack - I AM going to do exceedingly and abundantly above all you could ask or think and I will supply your every need according to my riches in glory

Keep outstanding and watch me move like I did in Exodus 34:10-11. Watch me move like I spoke those my chosen servant on the Daily Devotional, I am going "to do things in this season for my people that only I can do" "Be obedient to my commands and 'wait for my marvelous, miraculous, awesome plan to unfold".

Be encouraged to keep OUT STANDING whatever you are going through in your life, knowing that as long as you keep it moving forward, following God's commands we shall be blessed for leaning not to our own understanding.

You can Still catch up

RECONNECTING THE DISCONNECT

No longer able to hold on I release my grip yet still clinging to hope of being able to catch up.

Bobbing and weaving, dipping and dodging emotions, circumstances and the unfulfilled desire to hold on, what a roller coaster it has been but I'm determined to catch up.

I feel a heaviness settling in on my chest, no longer able to see I begin to slip backwards. The horizon is no longer in sight. My momentum is fading. But somewhere in me is still the need to catch

up.

I swallow my pride, I release my fears there's no shame in letting go. Love consumes me, love compels me, love motivates me, I shall catch up.

I'm gaining on love.

I'm gaining on trust.

I'm gaining on strength.

I'm gaining on peace.

I'm gaining on stability.

I'm gaining on the reconnect from the disconnect.

I'm gaining on the unspeakable joy that rebuilt me and relying on the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that allowed me to catch up.

TIMING is key

Timing is everything.

There is a time for everything,and a season for every activity under heaven: -Ecclesiastes 3:1

(T)o be

(I)n control of

(M)anaging time

(I)ntentionally according to your purpose

(N)ot for your own personal

(G)ain or self reliance.

Have a wonderfully blessed weekend! Set goals and pray about prioritizing them!

Believe by faith!

TOGETHER

When we work TOGETHER we (T)ell (O)ur (G)od (E)ssentially (T)hat (H)elping (E)ach-other (R)everances him for He calls us to bear with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Be encouraged in the Word of Ephesians 4:1-6
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation with which you are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

LOVE THINGS LESS AND PEOPLE MORE

Let not your good be evil spoken of. -Romans 14:16

Love more than the day before. Love things less and people like they owe you nothing in return. There's more gratification in loving those who don't love you back than to hate them in return. Today I pray that bitterness is replaced with compassion, anger with joy, and all negativity with love. Don't allow your good to be evil spoken of...sow love no matter what it looks like.

I conclude with the memory of a song I heard Ashley Jones sing Sunday "I pray we'll all be ready when he returns!

Learning to Lean on Jesus

Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is useless. -Psalm 108:12

The whole world may say no or it's impossible but one yes from God is all you need.

Whatever He's promised you find comfort and peace in His bosom until manifestation is yours.

Stay focused, stand firm, believing by faith in the promises of Jesus!

Have a wonderfully blessed weekend.

Be Restored in the Word

Lead with courage, conviction, character, connection, and credibility not emotions. If you fail to replenish your inner-man, you will burn out. Be restored in the Word.

Read 1 Kings chapters 18-19 learn from Elijah's emotional expense and the consequences of his emotions [paranoia, hiding, exhaustion, self-pity, depression, and no fresh word from the Lord].

Analysis Always Precedes Action

Analysis always precedes action. (Maxwell Leadership Bible)

Yes you're being lead in a certain direction but have you done an analysis of where you're going before you move forward?

It's Rebuilding Time

Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work. -Nehemiah 2:17-18


Forget about all the shoulda, coulda, woulda's...it's rebuilding time. Every block of disappointment and brick of strongholds that's been pulled down in your life was broken to be stepping stones leading you to the ability to put up walls of reassurance, love, hope, strength, endurance, peace and a future full of promise in Him, the Great I Am. Have a wonderfully blessed weekend. Believe by faith and be renewed and restored in Christ!

Strategic Planning

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. -Ephesians 6:12

Stand and fight yes...just remember it's the good fight of faith you need to win. Some have been standing and fighting for quite a while and are now wondering how much longer. Perhaps it's time to put down the carnal weapon of self reliance and pick up the spiritual sword (the Word) and learn the strategy to wage war in the spirit.

STOP RUNNING

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. -Jeremiah 29:11

The very hope and purpose you've been waiting for is chasing you but you won't stand still long enough for it to catch you. It's time to stop running ahead and chasing things by your own means. Stand still and let God guide you and you'll find He's already made provision BUT you need Jesus first...the way, the truth and the light.

Surviving the Winters of Life

When the winters of life slow you down or trap you in don't just twiddle your thumbs. Be still and listen for directions for your next move.

Have a wonderfully blessed weekend!

Be encouraged and believe by faith

The Game of Life

For a day in your courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. -Psalm 84:10

In the game of life don't let the opposing teams flashy warm-up suits entice you or rowdy cheerleaders and fans distract you. The recruiter who drafted you in has not forgotten about you sitting on the bench, don't be deceived it's not better on the other side of the court.

Under New Management

Be careful people are watching you that profess the way. Where are you leading them?

Regardless of how they act ultimately they want to know Jesus as head of their life but they're tracking you by GPS, witnessing every missed turn of your tongue, u-turn of your walk, pit stop of your actions, & detour you make as you deviate from your printed/visible professed itinerary.

Your life speaks more than your mouth no matter how much you talk.

Examine the talk your life speaks and seek the Lord for that you might receive maintenance in any area that's missed aligned.

It is our prayer that as you receive alignment and get on the straight and narrow path that those tracking you will notice your movement and fall inline asking what must I do be saved, knowing that the ship is moving and they don't want to stay stuck just watching from the sidelines.

Be encouraged and have a wonderfully blessed weekend. Believe by faith everything the Lord has promised you. YOU ARE the head and NOT the tail.

www.healedbyfaith.net

STOP, LOOK, AND LISTEN!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. -Hebrews 12:1

STOP, LOOK, AND LISTEN! The race is not given to the swift nor the strong. There some things He wants to release to you but you're too busy moving at your own pace, looking at your own resources, and listening to self reasoning of YOUR next move. It's time to slow your roll, make a complete stop, look beyond yourself to see the spiritual traffic pattern, and listen to the Ultimate GPS Navigator on which route to take.

Forget About Yourself

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. -Psalm 118:24

Time belongs to God! Don't get caught up in the number of days, weeks, months, or years of a thing. I'm about to walk into the manifestation of a 1 year vision that's been 11 years in the making. Stay faithful and focused, favor is coming!

Seriously this is the day that the Lord has made let us REJOICE and be GLAD in it. People are cursing the ice, mad because they had to go to work, upset because the school closings and delays don't suit their schedule. While countless others are huddled together trying to keep warm, scrounging around for change to make it through the day, morning loved ones who did not take their next breath and the list goes on. Get it together...NO MATTER WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE, REJOICE and be GLAD in it. This is the day that the Lord has made!

Confronting Fear

Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. -Psalm 34:9

If some things aren't exposed to us, we'll never see. Fears unexposed and overcome are dreams and visions unfulfilled.

It's time to look your fears in the eye and tell them you're going to follow your dreams.

There's nothing in this world to fear but the Lord and those who fear him lack nothing. So it's time to overcome your natural fears and be released into victory in Christ Jesus!

Have a wonderfully blessed weekend. Travel safely. Spend some time assessing your fears and committing them to the Lord who will help you overcome!

MOVE SELF OUT OF THE WAY

May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. -Ephesians 3:19-20 (NLT)

Too often His love for us is measured by what He does. Just because He doesn't move the way and when you THINK He should doesn't mean He doesn't love or has forgotten about you. Some answers you're looking for He has already given but your ears are cluttered, your mind is boggled, and your vision is distorted. Instead of seeking Him for blessings of stuff be repentive and sincerely seek Him for deliverance of you from you. Once self is out of the way the blessings will follow.

Healed By Faith