Responding to Stress by Dr. Abraham Twerski

How do we look at stress? How do we respond to stress?

Throughout out lives we will go through stress. The ups and downs of life will come. I listened to this article and wanted to share some of it with you. You can find the full article here: http://www.improvisedlife.com/2015/12/23/what-lobsters-teach-us-about-stress-change/

It talks about lobsters and that they are soft and mushy. They live inside a rigid shell. The shell never expands. So how does a lobster grow? As the lobster grows the shell becomes very confining. So naturally the lobster feels under pressure and uncomfortable. The lobster then goes underneath a rock to protect itself from predators, casts off the shell and produced a new shell. Eventually that shell becomes uncomfortable and the same process happens again. The lobster goes under a rock for protection, off comes the shell and another one is formed. This is repeated many times.

Dr. Twerski says, "The stimulus for the lobster to be able to grow is that it feels uncomfortable. Now, if lobsters had doctors, they would never grow. Because once the lobster feels uncomfortable they would go to the doctor, gets a valium, gets percocet, feels fine...Never casts off its shell.  So what we have to realize that times of stress are also times that signals growth. If we use adversity properly we can grow through adversity".

I think this has truth to it. There will be days that we don't feel like doing anything and days that we feel like giving up. But God is giving us this stress to grow us into who he wants us to be for him. He is giving us trials so we may help others. He is allowing us to go through this so we can give all glory to him that we kept our eyes on him. I feel that God tests us to see where we will go. Who will we give our problems too?

I can't do life without my Heavenly Father ladies. I'm going through the ups and downs as I type this but it makes me feel so much better praying and talking to God about it. It is easy to try and work it out alone. We just want "whatever it is" to be fixed, to go away and to be handled. But WE CAN'T be the ones to do that. It's easier said than done but I have faith and as hard as things can be, I know my King will help me. He is helping us grow. I like to think of the lobster and that right now, I'm under the rock and taking off my shell...OR I'm protected by my Lord and Savior,  Jesus Christ. He is the ROCK. I'm taking off my shell...OR giving Him my problems. The new shell is being formed as I type this. God is always watching, always with us and will never leave us.

So if you are going through something, I'm praying for you. Trust in God and allow yourself to breathe. Ask God for the help you need. Just take a minute to be silent. Pray what is on your heart and mind. He will deliver you!

Dear Father, thank you for the ladies who are reading this now. I pray for each and every one of them. I ask you to help them give you their problems, worries and concerns in their life. I pray and ask that you help them and bless them. I know how hard it is to let go of things. But please continue to help me and these ladies have full trust in you. You are the God Almighty and you will never leave us nor forsake us. Thank you Father for that and for your precious son, Jesus. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 

The Danger of Being Too Comfortable by Danae Hurston

The Danger of Being Too Comfortable

Last week was a tough week for me. I’ve been feeling like I’m stuck in quicksand. Foggy. Frustrated. Just couldn’t find my flow. I didn’t understand this feeling at first. But one thing I believe is that our gracious Creator has given us our feelings and emotions to serve as signals in response to our environment and circumstances.

So after almost a week of restlessness, praying, seeking, frustration, seeking, praying, trying to understand this feeling… well, I have to admit it.
I’ve been way too comfortable lately.
I’m talking about the kind of comfort that’s almost dangerous.
I’m reminded of the story of the frog:

Now, I’ve heard this story a few times before, but today this simple proverb pierced my soul! Was I being lulled to “death” by comfort and complacency?? If so, I gotta make a change or my situation may eerily end up like the poor frog in the story!

JUMP OUT OF THE POT, DANAE!!!!!!!
For 2 1/2 years I’ve been in a season of rest and reflection. But now it’s time.
I believe in my heart that God is transitioning me into a new season of direction and discovery.

“He transitions us to position us to take possession of the things He has for us.”

God is nudging me, urging me, challenging me to take the jump from
comfortable to courageous. He’s turning up the heat. And for a creature of comfort such as myself, I won’t lie – I’ve been resisting. In many ways, my comfort zone has just been too…well, comfortable.

Change happens when the pain of staying the same exceeds the pain of change. God doesn’t always call us to remain comfortable. More often than not, He calls us to be courageous.

This reminds me of the story of the Hebrew nation in what I like to call the Two Big Crossovers. There was a drastic difference in the mindset and actions of the people when they crossed the Red Sea compared to when they crossed the Jordan.

After 40 years of wandering in the desert of comfort and complacency, God called them to renew their mindset in preparation for taking the land that was promised to them. Let’s look at the difference in their mindset:

Crossing the Red Sea – chaotic, fearful, survival mode, weak, whining, complaining, indecisive, God parted the waters first before they would take a step

Crossing the Jordan – organized, prepared, focused, courageous, strong, bold, listening & obedient, decisive, they took a step of faith first then God held back the waters.

In between these two life-altering moments, they experienced a very necessary wilderness season of perfecting, maturation, organizing, and dying off of the old & habitual.
WOW.
After having a little heart to heart with my Heavenly Daddy, I’ve discovered four areas where I need to shift from comfortable to courageous:

1. Be courageous in my RELATIONSHIPS
2. Be courageous in my BUSINESS
3. Be courageous in my MARRIAGE
4. Be courageous in my HEALTH

I asked Him, “What does this look like?” I received a simple response to get me started,
“Change your habits.”
Aaahh, you mean those almost undetectable little habits I’ve been subconsciously creating these past few years that have kept me in a state of complacency? You mean those days when I decide to sleep in? Those moments when I should get out and connect with others but home is just so much more comfortable? Those times when you’ve whispered that I should go walk, but Facebook was more appealing?  Even the opportunities when I could’ve been more thoughtful in expressing my love & appreciation to my husband? OK.
So today, I choose to jump out of the comfort pot, become more aware of my daily habits, and courageously cross over the Jordan into my promised land.
What I have come to realize is there are benefits to leaving the land of familiarity and comfort. You have yet to experience what God has for you on the other side of the river.

God often transitions us to position us to take possession of the things He has for us.
Because of His love for us, He does this to us and for us, just like He did for His Hebrew peeps. Although He loves us right where we are, He loves us too much to let us stay there.

Is there an area of your life where you feel the need to “jump out of the pot?”
Is God leading you to be courageous and cross a Jordan in your life?

Check out Danae's blog:

https://danaehurston.wordpress.com/2016/03/28/the-danger-of-being-too-comfortable/

Good Friday & Easter

Today marks one of the saddest and yet happiest days in history. Over 1200 years ago,  Jesus who IS the Son of God was crucified on a cross for our sins. 

To me, that is the greatest love and gift I have ever been given in my life. God sent his son to die for us. Can you actually imagine that? The love one can have for another to do such an amazing thing! 

Jesus died for all of us so that we may have a way to heaven. What a blessing! Thank you Jesus!

I am so grateful to be able to be a child of the one and only King! Aren't you?

It says in John 10:17-18, "The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life - only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." 

How powerful is that statement? Jesus knew what was going to happen to him. He even cried out tears of blood to God because of this but he still wanted to do this so that we may have life. Once he was crucified and took his last breathe, he called out to his Father and said in Luke 23:46, "Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last." 

Then in Matthew 27:51-52 it says, "At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life." 

That gives me chills! These words are the truth and are from God himself! 

Jesus was resurrected on the third day and is alive today! 

"The Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you." -Romans 8:11

On the What Christians Want To Know site Crystal McDowell breaks down what Easter stands for and I wanted to share it with you. What does EASTER stand for in your life? 

E - Easter Eggs

“‘Don’t be alarmed,’ he said. ‘You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him’” (Mark 16:6).

A- Abstinence of Material Comforts

“But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:17-18).

S- Sunday Worship

"Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts” (Acts 2:46).

T- Togetherness of Family

“There, in the presence of the Lord your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the Lord your God has blessed you” (Deuteronomy 12:7).

E- Entrance of Spring

“Then God said, ‘Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.’ And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1:11-12).

R- Resurrection of Christ

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade” (1 Peter 1:3-4).

Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/why-easter-is-so-special-to-me/#ixzz43x9mESGd

Jesus is ALIVE!

A Prayer for When You Feel Like Giving Up by Rachel Wojo

Hi ladies,

There are days in this life we live where we just feel like giving up. If you haven't felt this way, please let me know so I can shake your hand.

I believe in the power of prayer and some days I think of praying but then still have a hard time giving "everything" to God. But it is the only way to receive help from the all powerful.

Prayer = miracles/healing/blessings

I saw this post today and wanted to share it with all of you beautiful ladies.

Don't give up ladies. You are loved. You are important. You do so much. Your life has purpose. You can do this!

We have to pray with our eyes on God not on the difficulties - Cindy Cooksey

"Then Peter called to him: 'Sir, if it is really you, tell me to come over to you, walking on the water.' 'All right,' the Lord said, 'come along!' So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink. 'Save me, Lord!' he shouted." 

Matthew 14:28 - 30 TLB

We may not walk on water, but we do walk through periods of tumultuous circumstances in life. If we focus on the swirling waves of difficulties surrounding us, we can easily feel like we are being swallowed up by the surge of life's problems.

Peter experienced a rather unusual example of God's power when he went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. His faith in Jesus gave him the courage to throw his leg over the side of the boat and step out into the stormy sea.  However, his faith wavered when he realized what he was doing. Once he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the crushing waves around him, he began to sink.

Like Peter, we often start out with great intentions. We may be "prayed up" and filled with holy confidence before we begin to face the day. But once we wade into the undulating sea of life, our faith begins to falter, and we sink in despair. We feel ill-equipped to navigate the storms that batter us. Yet this doesn't mean that we have failed. When Peter's faith faltered, he immediately reached out to Jesus. In his time of greatest fear, he called on his Savior to rescue him.

When you are afraid of the troubles that swirl around you, keep your eyes on Jesus' power rather than your own inadequacies. Call out to Him for help, and He will rescue you from the stormy seas.

"We have to pray with our eyes on God ~ not on the difficulties." ~ Oswald Chambers

"Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said "why did you doubt?" And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "truly you are the Son of God."

Matthew 14:31-33

cb.cooksey | March 21, 2016 at 7:47 am | Tags: Believe, Encouragement for LIfe, Encouragement for living, Encouraging words for life, Hope, Inspiration, Trust | Categories: Believe, Do not fear, Encouragement, Faith, God's Help, Inspiration, Power, Taking a Step of Faith, Trust | URL: http://wp.me/phmf9-BL

Not a slave to sin - Galatians 4

In Galatians 4:4-7 it says, “4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.[b] 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[c] Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir”.

To me this is the best news in that chapter! Abba Father actually means “Daddy”. We need to call out to the God Almighty like he is our Daddy…because HE IS! How amazing and wonderful is that? The King of Kings is our father. He is the biggest celebrity in the world and yet he loves us enough to send his son Jesus to die for us so we don’t have to be slaves. What a blessing that is!

It goes on to talk about Hagar and Sarah. It says, “21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. 23 His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.

24 These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written:

“Be glad, barren woman,

    you who never bore a child;

shout for joy and cry aloud,

    you who were never in labor;

because more are the children of the desolate woman

    than of her who has a husband.”[e]

28 Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. 30 But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”[f] 31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman”.

We are free! Thank you Jesus for paying the ultimate price for us! This chapter really made me smile just knowing that we have a precious Father who loves us so much. We are truly blessed! This really enjoyed this chapter. It just makes you think of how amazing our Father is.

What does this chapter mean to you?

Reading Thru God's Word - Divine Mentor

Reading God's Word (March 11, 2016)

Deuteronomy 17:18
When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself
on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites.

God is giving instructions for a King that would rule over Israel in the future.
God wanted the King of Israel, to labor over parchment with a pen and to make a personal copy of the law of Israel for himself.  This shows that God wanted the word of God to be on the hearts of His rulers.  God also wanted the word of God to be a constant companion of the King of Israel and something he would read everyday.  By staying in the word the King was intended to build a reverence for God, to stay humble and not to think of himself as above those he ruled over.

As a follower of Christ, we are to be in God's Word daily.  Being in God's Word allows us to plug into God's power.  God shows us thru His Word that the impossible can become possible.  If anyone is serious about changing their life, you are going to have to get into the Bible.  You will need to read it, study it, memorize it, meditate on it and apply it.  Daily just like the Kings of Israel we are to fill our minds with the truth of God's Word.  The reason, to make us more like Jesus Christ.