447 Days Saved - A Walk with Christ
*Sew so others Reap*
Thus the saying 'one sews and another reaps' is true. John 4:37

For a long time there the Lord was telling me "Be Still," wait! I could feel his energy all around me constantly trying to keep me from getting down but to accept the slow paced life. I submitted and I listened.
This is a challenging request for a high energy spirit but I know now it was a test. It was a test for me to learn when and why we must embrace and accept our 'turtle shell' times in our life.
I knew it would come a time very soon when the Lord would say, "and Go!" The time is now! I can feel the energy all around and I know great blessings are coming not for just me but for others as well. My prayer is this I pray that all that I have sewed; others too shall now reap the benefits!
The Challenge:
Learn when the Lord says stop, pause, slow down or go! Think about and write down an example of all of these today! Write about your own experience of when God said to slow down or speed up! The Holy Spirit is the energy that gives us the knowledge of the pace we should go in this life!

446 Days Saved - Learning to walk with Christ

*Our Protection*

"The sword of the spirit which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:17

As Christians we are given one item of protection. This item can calm, inspire, grow and bloom us as well as our enemy or those we work to share with. This item is part of our armor that can rock our enemies to their core and save lives instead of kill! This item of protection that the Lord gives to Christians is far superior to any other weapon known to man! This item is our sword of protection. Our sword is the Bible! 

The Bible is great to carry around in our pockets! Same goes with always having a *Purple Cross* on hand! But the most affective way to carry the sword, that God gifts, is in our hearts! 

Knowing the word is essential to life! Knowing is one thing but memorizing verses gives you the ultimate reinforced protection! 

The Challenge: 

It's time to suit up in the Lord! Get on your armor and fill your soul with his testimony this month! Memorize three bible verses that will be always at the tips of your tongue! You will use these against the enemy, at just the right time, for these verses are apart of your sword in which God gifts to you!

445 Days Saved - Learning to walk with Christ
*The Voice that Leads You*
"Wether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the way, walk in it." Isaiah 30:21

The main thing that I learned from the man at the post office yesterday was that we are not to be ashamed of sharing Jesus! We are to rejoice, share his name and share the goodness of his teachings. Something I've known but is always a good reminder.
People are being kinda tough on me this week. Yes, I understand that some people go to years and years of school to get masters degrees in theology in order to share our saviors name, But you see that was their calling not mine. God is a merciful God and meets us where we are at. More schooling, past my bachelors at this moment in my life is not an option but sharing my daily walk and how the Lord touches my heart is. I'm sticking in my own lane, learning daily and walking in the spirit.   Man says your not ready but God says I am. I had no idea the Lord would lead me here but that's the walk! Learning to listen for his voice and discern his voice from mans voice. With God we have no idea where he will lead us next but we do know he's right behind us and guiding us if we choose to listen.
The Lord is teaching me this week to discern what is for my ears and what is not! No easy task but what I do know is walking with God is a daily walk of learning!
The Challenge:
If you feel in your heart something is right for you but man says it's not, no matter what it looks like in their eyes follow where God is leading you! Discern what is for your ears and what is not! Follow gods voice not mans!

444 Days Saved - A Walk with Christ

*Be Approachable*

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5

When you commit to the Lord in all you do yes you must be open to how God uses you but you must also be open to how he's continuously influencing you!
Today is one of those days where nothing seemed to go right. And I'm laughing here!
You see when things go wrong and don't makes sense I now know God is working to show his light.  Not much phases me these days and I tell you what; Going with the current of life is a much better life then going against it!
I made the perfect protein shake! Not kidding! I spent like ten minutes on it and then went to take it off the blender base and it all fell through the bottom and all over my counter. I was running late to get my son from school but I still took the time to clean up the mess.
Then you won't believewhat what  happened next. There is a first time for everything. Sitting in the school parking lot my car began to put! Yup, that's right y'all I ran out of gas today! My sweet friend Andrea came to my rescue, helping to go get us gas. This reminded me that it is okay to humble ourselves down and say, "Hey I need you today."
Then we traveled to the post office. In the post office a man commented on my shirt that says,"Blessed by God spoiled by my husband." He then said your blessed; but are you saved? I perked up and with a big ol grin I said, "I sure am sir! I am blessed and 444 days saved!" And that's grace! God slowed me down to accept loving help from a new friend today and meet this man today. He handed me this pamphlet that he wrote! I just know the Lord has something in here that he needs me to know! I will report back to you tomorrow on the wisdom he shares! And yes I handed this man our Purple Crosses in return to Thank him for his work!
The Challenge:
Things aren't going your way? Don't fret, don't scowl, don't yell because in order for our Lord and his people to share blessings with you, you must be approachable in this life! Question to ask yourself is this.... Are you approachable?

443 Days Saved - Leaning to walk with Christ
*Beautiful in His Time*
He has made everything beautiful in his time. Ecclesiastes 3:11

Well, I guess it's official..  My peaceful stride is now getting tested again. This week I have had some question me, my intentions and who I'm truly working for.
I'm learning that sometimes Christians are the hardest upon their fellow Christians. I know the one absolute we must agree on is Jesus but I feel all the rest we don't need to battle about. I feel that God is moving me and convicting my heart at the rate at which I can handle. Some Christians watch and say I'm not learning fast enough. God says, "Trust me I have your best interest at heart." God says, "All things are made beautiful in my time."
The Challenge:
Just because we are at one pace in our walk with Christ does not mean we are not where he placed us to be. Be patient with your fellow friends and Christians. Trust God works on hearts in his time not yours! The heart does not need your beatings. Maybe a few pumps to get it pumping but beating it will not move a heart any further along.

442 Days Saved - Learning to walk with Christ

*Ditch the Binge*

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the spirit. Ephesians 5:18

I'm going through another growth period! I had so much peace and then boom yesterday was like a truck hit me! Smirking here as challenges just don't phase me like they use to. The Lord convicted my heart!
I have always been honest here and today is no different. As I gather up the courage to share this I pray this change in me helps change in others struggling with addictions.
Since this journey the Lord has convicted my heart of drinking and my old party ways. I eased in by trying to not socially drink for a year but then I was still drinking on the weekends from time to time.  I would drink alone at home, or with those I trusted so no one would see me and mock me. It doesn't matter if it is done loudly or quietly no matter what it was still hurting my testimony! It hurts our life and others who watch us when we indulge.
So last night I was convicted and the Lord spoke! I was scared as I have been avoiding this moment but it's time! I am officially giving up alcohol for good! I thought I would feel scared to share this but I actually feel delivered, set free and very empowered!
The Challenge:
Is it your time to #Riseup and ditch the binge cycle? Weekly binge habits still affect the mind, body and spirit! Man says it's no big deal but God says different! He says, "It steals lives!" *Something I personally want no part in!

441 Days Saved - Learning to Walk with Christ
*To shake or Wither?*
"Have mercy on me, oh God! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wing until this violent storm shall pass." Psalms 57:1

Oh boy... It has been a day of great learning. When you walk in the spirit and feel convicted to share truth, but then get slapped down, it gets hard to not get confused. Like I say I no longer want to live a careful life and a life of feeding man what they want to hear, but to me this is real love! To me truth (With grace of course)  is love! I want to be true in the moment that transcends. When we are walking with the Lord that is what we are called to do.
My friend was trying to discern the time when it's time to move on from a relationship.  Instead of her being able to help a person; It was actually hurting her ownself being amongst those who curse God. . Our love can go upon deaf ears sometimes. They will choose not to see the love but judgement.
I told her we are in a time in history where we can reach anyone at anytime and even be amongst people on social media who discourage our spirit instead of improve it.  We don't get a break!
I guess learning when to shake the dust from ones sandals or stay and bear through the storm is a lifelong journey of learning what to do.

Maybe, the Block button on social media is just too dang easy?
The Challenge:
A question to you!
If your spirit hurts because of condemnation when is it the time to wither the storm or simply shake the dust and block?