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How Do I Get What I Want from God?

Woman in coat walking down street
The book of James says that if I resist the devil he will flee from me. Well, that sounds easy. But IS it?

It must be a conscious choice to not only receive the salvation of our Jesus, but to be certain He is on the Throne as Lord of our lives.

There are immediate and serious challenges in our world today. Challenges we cannot ignore.  We are now and have always been in a war for our mind. And the mind is the devil’s playground. He loves to manipulate Scripture to get us to stray away from God. Just think about his manipulations of Scripture with Eve in the garden and even with Jesus in the wilderness. The first step to get the devil to flee, is to submit to God. So, the “formula” is this:

  1. Submit to God (turn toward God) SO THAT you will have the power, the strength, to…
  2. Resist the devil (turn away from the devil) SO THAT…
  3. He will flee from you.

It sounds simple and is truly is. But this is also very serious business. It takes daily deliberate thought and action. And even moment by moment.

The devil wants you to fail. Remember, he wanted Eve to fail and he wanted Jesus to fail. However, the Lord God wants you to succeed and to have that inner peace and joy as you walk in the midst of His will. Our relationship with God must be our priority.

So, how DO you get what you want from God?

ASK

In the beginning verses of chapter 4 of James, the Word is clear that when we don’t get what we ask for it could be because we don’t actually ASK God. We don’t take the time to talk it over with Him. To seek His will. To ASK. Crazy, but I know I am guilty of that. I can’t believe I still, after all these years of walking with Him, I actually forget to do the actual ASK. Lazy? Preoccupied? Pride? (We think we can do it ourselves.) Is that why God tells us in James 4 verse 6 that He resists the proud but gives grace to the humble? When we find ourselves coming up short with anger, irritability, confusion, could it be we just forgot to ASK God for His help and His will? It never ceases to amaze me that I can actually forget to ask! What about you?

Wrong motives

And sometimes, we don’t get what we ask because, when we DO ask, we ask with wrong motives. Selfish motives. Only to satisfy our own desires. We have our SELF on the throne. Wanting what will make others’ lives or our own lives easier. I am actually guilty of that as well. But God has a bigger plan. I am so glad He is patient to teach us the same lessons over and over again. Isn’t He amazing? He wants us to ask Him what HIS plan is for our friends, family, co-workers, our town, our state, our country and our world. Our big assignment is to train ourselves to remember to always ask God for HIS heart for all the things I mentioned…and MORE!

We are merely instruments through whom God works. It is not about YOU. It is not about ME. It is about GOD and HIS plans.

Now, let’s go back to specific points

He tells us we must first humble ourselves before God. What does that look like to you? Humbling yourself. That’s really what we have been talking about throughout this whole post. Choosing a Godly mindset. Asking for the unselfish Mind of Christ. Humbling ourselves. Getting ourselves off the throne. Seeking God before moving forward. Before speaking. To take control of our thoughts. Turn them toward God. And then we can walk in the light of the following verses…

Let’s look at the surrounding verses in chapter 4 of James in a version you might not be familiar with. (The J B Phillips New Testament version.) I’m sure like me, you’ve also realized that when we look at the same verse in different versions, it gives us fresh insights. It expands the meaning for us.

“But resist the devil and you’ll find he’ll run away from you.
Come close to God and he will come close to you.
You are sinners: get your hands clean again.
Your loyalty is divided: get your hearts made true once more.
You should be deeply sorry, you should be grieved, You should even be in tears.
Your laughter will have to become mourning, your high spirits will have to become dejection
You must humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord before he will lift you up.”

James 4: 7-10 (Phillips)

Pretty stiff conditions, huh? But all for our good. All for our peace. Our joy. God created you and me, and He knows how to bring out the best in us. He made the rules of the “game” of life. Of Eternal Life with Him! And if we want close fellowship with Him, we will stop trying to make our own rules for this earth-bound life. So that things will go well with you and me.  And THAT, my friends is how we get what we want from God. Because we come to realize that what we want is actually what He wants.

Just like if you play a game of Monopoly. You can play by the rules—OR–you can decide you are going to make up your own rules. I am pretty sure making up your own rules will NOT go well with you in Monopoly. And, the “game” of life eternal has much more serious consequences than a game of Monopoly.

Choose wisely, remembering God adores you. He even sent His son to die for you. Let’s talk…

My Father: Experiencing God's Love A-Z

Pamela Taylor invites you to join her in this interactive acrostic devotional journal designed to draw you into the extremely personal and abundant love God has waiting for you. Experience the "Just ask..." of His love for you!

My Father: Experiencing God's Love from A-Z by Pamela A. Taylor

Let's Connect!Until next time,
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com

Filed under: Christian Life Coaching,Freedom,Strengths Mentor Coach — Tags: , , , , — Pam Taylor @ 7:00 am

Guest Post: Emily’s Journey with Jesus

Nativity Set

Background

It was perhaps a decade or so ago that Emily Forsyth and I first met at church. She was young and pregnant with her fourth child. She was weary, but hungry to be all God intended her to be. Little did I know that the Lord would allow me to be a part of her “story” for all these years. I love being in the background, watching God work as he is molding her into a thing of beauty, fit for the Master’s use. She has found the path to the source of Joy.

God adores His “girls” and He is a good, good Father. He can be trusted to direct our steps if and when we surrender to His leading. He wants us to know that He is intimately involved in our lives, just as He has been in Emily’s. We are each a work in progress. And we all need someone to remind us it is not about us. We are merely to allow ourselves to be vessels through whom God works.

Emily has given me permission to share this article with you. She originally wrote it for her church newsletter. My prayer is that you will be inspired to stop and think how God might help you to more fully find your own unique path of decrease so that He might increase in your life.

And now…Here’s Emily……

…Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.

John 3:29-30

I just love how our church is buzzing with excitement over the children’s Christmas program! I can’t help but remember back in 1991 when the words were announced by the Sunday School Director, “and the role of Mary goes to…Emily!” That moment, my ten-year-old heart must have skipped a beat. I couldn’t have been more happy to have been chosen to wear that sky blue robe and hold the plastic baby Jesus as the congregation sang Silent Night. At that year’s Christmas eve program, I’m sure I was beaming with delight.

I have always felt the urge to be front and center. What is that about me? It’s not that I have many skills or talents to offer. It’s just that I sometimes don’t mind the “story” being about me.

Several years ago, I had taken a stance in front of a group of people, and in the days following, I began worrying. I found myself at an emotional low. I turned to an older, wiser sister in Christ for counsel. She patiently listened while I shared my heart. I told her of the people, and the things I had said, and how I must have sounded stupid, or unkind. They must have thought I was hateful. I carried on… After a while, she stopped me. She gently put her hands on my arms, and looked into my eyes. “It’s not about you, Emily.” What did she mean it’s not about me? I was the one with anxiety because of this stance that I had taken. Didn’t I have to get it straightened out to be myself again? But as she paused, that truth struck me. This. was. not. about. me. This was about GOD. Everything is. The moment I took myself out of the picture, and focused my concerns on the story being told about God through that situation, I could breathe again. Not only could I breathe, but I felt joy! John the Baptist said “…Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.”

From then on, I realized how much of my life I spent trying to play the starring role in a story that was never about me to begin with. I realized that I was created for a purpose, with giftings, and talents, and passions that were given to me to play a specific supporting role in God’s story. I was created to direct all attention to Him, like shining a spotlight, or making the announcement, or opening the curtain. I no longer had to be the shining star, because in His eyes, I already was! He made me precious in His sight! There is nothing more, nor less I can do to be worthy. And the joy is found when each of us works together to fulfill our supporting role as part of the body of Christ to further His kingdom and shine the light on Him.

When I adapted the principle that “it’s not about me,” everything changed. I stopped striving and over-preparing, and watching to see what others were thinking of me. I knew that it no longer depended on me to get it right, but that God would always get it right. My relationships, my health, my finances, and my faith all grew stronger. Now, whenever I feel consumed with thoughts about what people think of me, or whether I am succeeding or failing, I stop and find a way to serve someone else in the name of the Lord Jesus. It’s amazing how small acts of service toward others can relieve feelings of anxiety or depression. It’s a way of directing our attention away from ourselves. It’s because we were created for that — to play a supporting role in God’s big story! If we do His work, we will find a joy that passes all understanding.

So, to that ten-year-old little “Mary,” I would say, “hold that Jesus high and make sure the light shines on Him. Don’t worry if you fall out of the spotlight, because there is no greater blessing than to be the one who makes great the name of the Lord.”

Emily ForsythEmily Forsyth

Emily finds her joy in Jesus, coffee, and people. As the only extrovert in her family, she admires her quiet, steady husband, Aaron, and their four children. They homeschool and live in Clear Lake.

God Loves Aardvarks: And God Loves Me

"Thank you, God, that you love all the animals and bugs. You love funny looking aardvarks and you love me."

Thankfulness through the alphabet. That's what this fun book will teach the kids in your life.

God Loves Aardvarks and God Loves Me

Let's Connect!Until next time,
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com

Filed under: Christian Life Coaching,Different Spiritual Gifts,Living From Your Strengths,Strengths Mentor Coach — Tags: , , , , , , , — Pam Taylor @ 7:00 am

Let’s Have Some Fun

I don’t know about you, but this week I need a bit of a break from the serious and scary stuff in the news. People everywhere are really suffering from physical, mental, emotional or financial challenges. Have we forgotten how to laugh? Have we forgotten that choosing joy is good for our health and our relationships?

I know some days I can be a curmudgeon. A Debbie Downer. What about you? With all the stress of these past months and the unplanned circumstances and health challenges that have thrown many of us into a bit of a tailspin, let’s take a short sabbatical and just have a bit of fun on this post this week. Nothing earth-shattering. No bad news. Rather….

Skip The Scary Stuff in the News

I have a fun quiz for you. Try to think outside the box.

Define these medical terms:

  • Artery
  • Vein
  • Varicose
  • Dilate
  • Bacteria
  • Node

The fun “thinking-outside-the-box” definitions are below the graphic. And after that, I share something new I learned from Pastor David Jeremiah.

Dog in Box

I welcome any terms you would like to add to the list. Here’s the thinking “outside-the-box” definitions (just for fun):

  • Artery: The study of paintings
  • Vein: Conceited
  • Varicose: Nearby
  • Dilate: To live long
  • Bacteria: Back door of a cafeteria
  • Node: To be aware of

On a more Biblical note

This week, I learned from David Jeremiah a stunning clarification. Satan is NOT the opposite of GOD. Michael the archangel is opposite of Satan. Satan and Michael were both created. God is the Creator.

I am so very grateful for faithful God-fearing Bible teachers.

Never ever stop learning, friends. It keeps our testimony fresh and vibrant. Go, therefore…into all the world…teaching what God has taught us…

God Loves Aardvarks: And God Loves Me

"Thank you, God, that you love all the animals and bugs. You love funny looking aardvarks and you love me."

Thankfulness through the alphabet. That's what this fun book will teach the kids in your life.

God Loves Aardvarks and God Loves Me

Let's Connect!Until next time,
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com

Filed under: Christian Life Coaching,Spiritual Life — Tags: , , — Pam Taylor @ 7:00 am

Excuses, Excuses

Noah and the Ark

We are all weary. Many are fearful. It’s easy to fall into making excuses. I’m tired. Nobody cares. Nobody will listen. People will think I have lost my mind. I don’t have the time. What if Noah’s father and grandfather hadn’t been godly examples? What if Noah refused to build the ark. What if…???

Favorite Bible Character

Recently, I was asked who is my favorite Bible character. The only rule was that we had to name someone other than Jesus. Who would you name? And why?

That was an easy question for me to answer. For years, I have said , “I want to be like Enoch!” My friends used to laugh but now they expect it. Are you laughing now? Enoch was an amazing man. He lived during the time of Noah and some say apparently he became more focused on God after the birth of his son, Methuselah, whose son was Lamech, whose son was Noah. And the days were so evil, that God told Noah to build the ark. He preached to the masses. And he built an ark.

God said until Methuselah died, the judgment of the flood wouldn’t come. According to J Vernon McGee, Methuselah means “when he is dead, then shall he be sent (see Jude below).” The environment was horrible before the flood. So:

  • If Adam = year 1
  • Year 687 from creation, Methuselah died
  • Noah was born 1056 from the creation of Adam
  • The flood came 1656 = the year Methuselah died

My head is spinning with all that. Maybe yours if too. I hope I copied it down correctly. But you get the idea.The Bible never ceases to amaze. Prophesy made. Prophesy fulfilled.

Family Tree

So, it is not a stretch of the imagination to believe that great grandfather Enoch, grandfather Methuselah, and father Lamech were Noah’s mentors, just like New Testament Timothy’s mother and grandmother. I don’t think I have ever heard a sermon about my role model, Enoch. Yet, just look at the necessary part he has played in Bible history. Without Enoch, there literally would not have been a Noah. So why don’t we talk about Him? Enoch is mentioned throughout the Bible. Here are some of the references from Genesis, to Hebrews, to Jude.

Enoch. An ordinary man with extraordinary faith

Genesis 5:21-24 TLB (Enoch walked with God)
“Enoch was 65 years old when his son, Methuselah was born. Afterwards, he lived another 300 years in fellowship with God, and produced sons and daughters; then, when he was 365, and in constant touch with God, he disappeared, for God took him.”

Hebrews 11:5 TLB (Enoch pleased God)
“Enoch trusted God too, and that is why God took him away to heaven without dying; suddenly he was gone because God took him. Before this happened, God had said how pleased He was with Enoch. You can never please God without faith, without depending on Him. Anyone who wants to come to God must believe that there is a God and that He rewards those who sincerely look for Him.

Jude 14-16 TLB (Enoch witnessed for God)
“Enoch, who lived seven generations after Adam, knew about these men and said this about them: ‘See, the Lord is coming with millions of His holy ones. He will bring the people of the world before Him in judgment, to receive just punishment, and to prove the terrible things they have done in rebellion against God, revealing all they have said against Him’. These men are constant gripers, never satisfied, doing whatever evil they feel like; they are loud-mouthed “show-offs” and when they show respect for others, it is only to get something in return.”

Enoch walked the walk

Like Abraham, Enoch was a friend with God. He did not make excuses. Or act like a victim of his time. Or whine that things were hard. Rather, he made a conscious decision to separate himself from the vile wickedness of his culture. He did not sugar-coat his message.

Words to live by: The circumstances of Enoch’s life were never an excuse to walk ungodly. – David Jeremiah

A summary recap:

  • Enoch walked with God
  • Enoch witnessed for God
  • Enoch pleased God
  • Enoch went to be with God

Like, Elijah, Enoch went directly to God without first dying. So, when I talk to God about this, I remind Him that I don’t want to be like Elijah. A flaming chariot flying up to heaven sounds scary, 😨 but I DO want to be like Enoch. 😃 And I literally daily remind myself of why God was pleased with him. It’s a tall order to walk the walk like he did. To NOT allow circumstances to be an excuse to walk ungodly.

What about you? Who is your choice and why? Leave a comment, or better yet…contact me to set up an appointment to talk.

My Father: Experiencing God's Love A-Z

Pamela Taylor invites you to join her in this interactive acrostic devotional journal designed to draw you into the extremely personal and abundant love God has waiting for you. Experience the "Just ask..." of His love for you!

My Father: Experiencing God's Love from A-Z by Pamela A. Taylor

Let's Connect!Until next time,
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com

Filed under: Christian Life Coaching,Spiritual Life — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Pam Taylor @ 7:00 am

Stepping Confidently into the 4th Quarter of 2021

Sun setting over a pumpkin patch

Can you believe it? 2021 is 3/4 behind us. Many of us have been like a fish out of water. Our regular routines have been disrupted and our plans have been smashed against the proverbial rock. So, now what? I don’t know about you, but I want to finish out this year well. How about you? Join me? Can we do this deliberately and confidently? YES! I absolutely believe that we can!

John 16:33

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

How shall we start?

Let’s start with prayer: Lord, Jesus, we want to honor You in the midst of confusion and scary things. We have not come this far to give up now. But we turn to You as our Guide. Our Ever-Present Help in times of trouble. Our Strong Tower. Our Wisdom. Our Provider. Our Healer. Our God.

You are our Creator–You created us just the way You knew we would need to be in order to finish the work that You prepared in advance…before the creation of the world…in fellowship with You! You knew what TODAY would bring and what we would need in order to navigate through it. For Your Glory!

Two Choices

I am reminded that there are ONLY TWO choices. We are either seeking God or forsaking God. There is no lukewarm middle ground. It is either one or the other. And…Since you have already read this far, I am going to assume that you are SEEKING GOD. Praise the Lord for that!

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts to us in our pain.”

C. S. Lewis

Anchor devotional September 30, 2021

“We need God. He cares about us.He promises that one day He will end all brokenness and suffering. We may not understand why He has not ended it yet, but we do know that He came and entered into it with us through Jesus.”

He is with us in our laughter and in our tears.

I want to stop a bit here to meditate on the “WITH US” part of that last quote. He entered into it WITH US THROUGH JESUS. That’s BIG! That’s how we are able to continue. We are not alone. He is Immanuel. WITH us.

Psalm 27:8

“My heart says to You – Your Face, Lord, do I seek.”

Actively seeking

That is a choice that sets you and me apart from others. Unfortunately, some are getting into Heaven “by the skin of their teeth”, but we want something more than that. We want the joy that comes from being in communion with God when we ACTIVELY seek the Lord and His Word and His ways. And, that, my friend, puts you and me right smack in the middle of a deep joy-filled relationship with the Lord. And THAT, is…

the safest place to be AND the wisest place to be—right in the center of His will—in a two-way, back-and-forth relationship with the Lord.

Take time to step back and PLAN to finish this year well…don’t leave it to chance…

I would love to hear about your plans.

My Father: Experiencing God's Love A-Z

Pamela Taylor invites you to join her in this interactive acrostic devotional journal designed to draw you into the extremely personal and abundant love God has waiting for you. Experience the "Just ask..." of His love for you!

My Father: Experiencing God's Love from A-Z by Pamela A. Taylor

Let's Connect!Until next time,
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com

Filed under: Christian Life Coaching,Spiritual Life — Tags: , , , , , , — Pam Taylor @ 7:00 am

The View from My Window

Illustration of man walking dog

A man and his dog

This morning as I gazed out my apartment window, I noticed a man leisurely walking his dog on a leash. They made such a peaceful and fun picture together.that i lingered at the window awhile, just enjoying them.

All was leisurely and calm, UNTIL…

they got within view of the bank parking lot. Then, that sweet docile creature on the leash changed from docile to ALERT. Ears perked up and the dog was on a mission.

SUDDENLY…

I was literally laughing out loud at the funny antics. The roles reversed and it looked like the dog was walking the man who could barely hold onto the leash. He was being dragged straight up to the drive-through window.

Background

My local bank has a bowl of doggie treats at the drive-through window.

The treat was received

and peace returned. The dog was calm again. He was enjoying his treat. The man looked relieved.

So, let’s think about our relationship to our Lord and Savior

Oh, to be that enthusiastic for the TREAT of feasting on Your Word, Lord. Give us that passion and sense of mission, letting nothing hold us back!

Prayer

Dear friend, may it be said of you and me that the treat of the Scriptures daily calms us as our furry friend was calmed with his treat!

To God be the glory!

Daddy, Daddy! Guess What I Saw Today?

From a flock of geese to a dog on a leash, the pages of this winsome little book are filled with things we see around us every day. Pamela A. Taylor takes those everyday items and looks at them through the eyes of a child; making them seem exciting and new while also teaching children how to be grateful for the God who created them. Take a walk with Pamela through the pages of this book and help your little ones see God’s hand in the beauty of life.

Let's Connect!Until next time,
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com

Filed under: Christian Life Coaching,Spiritual Life — Tags: , , , — Pam Taylor @ 7:00 am

September 11: Perhaps Today…

Man removing shoes

The date September 11 (9/11) is on the mind of many this month. The 20th anniversary brings memories flooding back. Most who were alive during that day, can even tell you where they were when they first realized what was happening.

This will be short today.

When you read the title above. what did you think? My thoughts are:

  • Don’t get too comfortable here
  • This world is not your home
  • It’s a “transitional” place
  • Jesus is coming again
  • PERHAPS TODAY

How then shall you live?

Are you fearful? Are you hopeful? Do you need someone to talk to–to process what is rumbling around in your head? You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Christian Life Coaching is a pathway to grow in your faith and relationships.  But, first things first…

“Jesus said, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”

John 14:6 (NIV)

Jesus is the Way…

Jesus is the ONLY Way, the ONLY Truth, the ONLY way to ETERNAL LIFE. How are you with Him? Are you in a vital relationship with Jesus? If not, why not?

Don’t miss out. Don’t wait another day to develop a deep, abiding vital relationship with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Let’s talk…

My Father For Children: Praising God Through the Alphabet

With an easy-to-follow, alphabetical format, your child will discover how God cares for them in this new book from Pamela A. Taylor.

This interactive acrostic devotional journal is designed to draw your child into the extremely personal and abundant love of Jesus.

My Father For Children: Praising God Through the Alphabet

Let's Connect!Until next time,
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com

Filed under: Christian Life Coaching,Freedom,Spiritual Life — Tags: , , , , , , — Pam Taylor @ 9:11 am

Distractions vs Focus

Distractions vs FocusDistractions vs Focus

Life is full of distractions and fears, but if we fix our minds—our thoughts—on Jesus, life is so much more rewarding and do-able.

Turn our eyes on Him

There’s a song that speaks of turning our eyes and looking intently at Jesus, rather than focusing on the distractions that are causing fear. To focus on Him, rather than the things of earth that will grow strangely dim because of focusing on His Glory and Grace.

Encounter with God devotional

”Jesus is better than who or what might compete with Him. Besides Him, all else pales into insignificance. It is He who will offer a secure hope.” Nothing or no one else can promise that. Only Jesus.

Worship Leader, Sean Feucht

When speaking about the Lord’s Prayer, he said, “Let’s do HERE what they are doing in Heaven. WORSHIP!”

There was something about the WAY Sean said that, that it really impacted me. WORSHIP is key. And it so easy to neglect in practice.

He also said, “I am as filthy rags. Without Him, I don’t DESERVE anything. HIS BLOOD makes us worthy.”

Nothing about ourselves makes us worthy

Knowing what we know, how can we do anything but confidently follow Him with devotion? Do you ever find yourself acting more like a human DOING rather than a human BEING? The pressures of life makes it hard to focus on Jesus. He just wants to BE WITH you and me. So…

What if we set an alarm for times during the day to purpose to think about Him? To draw us away from distractions. Such a small thing, yet it can bring amazing changes in the way we view life. He is worthy!

This is how we fight our battles

Remember the story of the 12 spies? They went to spy out the land and 10 of them came back with a bad report. I don’t want to be like those 10 grumbling, fearful naysayers. I want to be like the 2 who saw Victorious God as BIGGER than any giants or problems ahead. For the ten, life was about “me and the scary problems”..But for the other two, their life was about “me and the problems PLUS GOD!” The two welcomed God into the midst of the problems and shared a good report–that God is BIGGER than anything they might fear.

”For my determined purpose is that I may know Him That I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person, more strongly and more clearly!”

Philippians 3:10 (Amplified)

Problems begin to fade when we focus on Him. He will never leave us alone. Never ever!

God Loves Aardvarks: And God Loves Me

"Thank you, God, that you love all the animals and bugs. You love funny looking aardvarks and you love me."

Thankfulness through the alphabet. That's what this fun book will teach the kids in your life.

God Loves Aardvarks and God Loves Me

This was Distractions vs Focus,
Let's Connect!Until next time,
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com

Filed under: Christian Life Coaching,Freedom,Spiritual Life — Tags: , , , , , , — Pam Taylor @ 7:00 am

Hearts Don’t Need Words to Communicate

Group of Friends

A car load of women. Lessons learned.

Fresh out of High School and driving a car load of women the 12 miles to the next town for work each day, I was a sponge, soaking up all the wisdom those women offered in our daily conversations back and forth to work. They were wise and also fun. And free with advice and life lessons.

Not speaking

One memory is deeply imbedded in my mind. Margaret (not her real name) was talking about a car ride she and her husband had taken the day before—not speaking to each other the entire time. Think of it—neither of them saying a word. What would you have thought? My thoughts were how awful that they were mad with each other, or how boring it would be. Everything I thought was negative.

Stunning

Yet, she was smiling and said it was comforting and comfortable. They had been married a long time. They knew each other so well, they had no need to speak. Say what??? Seriously?? That sounded rude to me. She meant it though.

What about our relationship with God?

And now, with the memory of my car pooling days of my youth, I am reminded of how we are to enjoy the company of God in much the same way. We don’t need to always be talking and asking for stuff. We tend to waiver back and forth between being a human BEING and being a human DOING. He loves just being with you and me. In our very LOUD world, it can be difficult to wrap our minds around this.

In The Pleasure of His Company book

Dutch Sheets shares: “Take some time to stare at Papa God. I promise you He’ll gaze back, straight in the eye.

Words aren’t needed. I’ve spent hours conversing with God without saying a word. Hearts don’t need words to communicate; they just need to be together.”

“Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 46:10 (Amplified Bible)

Shut off your computer or other device and go and just SIT AWHILE with your CREATOR. He longs to be WITH you!

God Loves Aardvarks: And God Loves Me

"Thank you, God, that you love all the animals and bugs. You love funny looking aardvarks and you love me."

Thankfulness through the alphabet. That's what this fun book will teach the kids in your life.

God Loves Aardvarks and God Loves Me

Let's Connect!Until next time,
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com

Filed under: Christian Life Coaching,Spiritual Life — Tags: , , , , — Pam Taylor @ 7:00 am

Where Is My Neighborhood?

Neighborhood
A few weeks ago, God impressed on me that I was not obeying His command to love my neighbor as He intended. I have been asking Him for clarification. Where is my neighborhood and who is my neighbor? Specifically, WHERE and WHO? Did I need to do something differently? I wasn’t feeling condemned by God. Rather, I felt joy that He was taking me into a deeper understanding what it means to be a Follower of Jesus Christ. Here’s some of what I have been processing…

Who IS my neighbor?

“…When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power to testify about me with great effect, to the people in Jerusalem” [where they were residing…in their own back yard] “throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth, about my death and resurrection.”

Acts 1:8 (TLB)

They simply did not understand. Things were not turning out as they thought or hoped for. What was Jesus talking about and what were they supposed to do now? And what does that verse have to do with my new “assignment” from God? (To love my neighbor) Wasn’t I already doing that? As a mentor life coach, I love encouraging friends and clients. I support ministries and I write blogs and books to encourage people to love God and have a relationship with Him. What was I missing? What specifically am I not understanding?

Now what? Their friend was gone

:12, 13 “…They were at the Mount of Olives, so now they walked the 1/2 mile back to Jerusalem and held a prayer meeting in the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. This prayer meeting went on for several days…about 120 people were present…”

They waited a long time

Acts 2:1 “Seven weeks had gone by since Jesus’ death and resurrection and the day of Pentecost had now arrived.”

What happened?

The Apostles were still in Jerusalem when the Holy Spirit descended on the group in that room. They had been waiting seven weeks. Confused. Their Best Friend had left them. And now, in that room, the Holy Spirit arrived. And…at last, they KNEW what Jesus had been trying to tell them. He HAD to leave them so that each of them could receive for themselves the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT residing in them.

But now what?

The people from many nations ran to the house to see what was causing the commotion in that upper room. And the people from those other nations heard these people (the disciples and apostles) from Galilee speaking in their own language “…about the mighty miracles of God.” (v. 11 TLB)

The sentiment of that day was:

Can anything good come from Galilee? And yet, MUCH good was coming from those in the upper room who had prayed and waited for direction. For the Holy Spirit. And each person heard the message in their own native tongue.

(Peter speaking) :

:18, 19 “ Each of you must turn from sin, return to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ or the forgiveness of your sins, then you also shall receive this gift, the Holy Spirit: For Christ promised Him to each of you who has been called by the Lord our God, and to your children, and even to distant lands.”

Where is my neighborhood?

So, what I am learning anew is my current “neighborhood” is the apartment building where I live.

My profession:

I am a writer…a published author. I write books, blog posts, and newsletters. That takes quiet, solitude, concentration, and setting myself aside to think and to study and to write. But, like most things, I had taken it too far. I was isolating and would get frustrated if my solitude was interrupted.

God changed my priorities

He lovingly convicted me that my immediate neighborhood is a blessing from God to me. Each is a gift. I am grateful for each of my neighbors. May I continually seek ways to encourage and bless each one.

I’m sure this is just the beginning of God changing my mindset. But this part so far has been a joy!

“…the direction of Divine living is a deliberate surrender of our own point of view in order to learn Jesus Christ’s point of view and seeing that men and women are nourished in the knowledge of Jesus. The only way that can be done is by being loyal to Jesus myself.”

Oswald Chambers

God Loves Aardvarks: And God Loves Me

"Thank you, God, that you love all the animals and bugs. You love funny looking aardvarks and you love me."

Thankfulness through the alphabet. That's what this fun book will teach the kids in your life.

God Loves Aardvarks and God Loves Me

Let's Connect!Until next time,
Awaiting His shout,
pam_signature-c49a6c

Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com

Filed under: Christian Life Coaching,Living From Your Strengths,Spiritual Life — Tags: , , , , , — Pam Taylor @ 7:00 am
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