Tonight I noticed that there was "recharging" taking place all around me:
1.My laptop
2.My MP3 player,
3.My cell phone.
To recharge mean to:— vb
1. to cause (an accumulator, capacitor, etc) to take up and store electricity again
2. to revive or renew (one's energies) (esp in recharge one's batteries )
It is vital that we remember to "renew" ourselves, espeically during this busy time of year. Give yourself permission to "recharge" often; the more the demand on your time and your life, the more you would be wise to recharge your batteries: Physical, mental, spiritual and emotional.
And remember, The Lord is faithful:
2 Timothy 4:17-18 (Amplified Bible)
17But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the [Gospel] message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was delivered out of the jaws of the lion.
18[And indeed] the Lord will certainly deliver and draw me to Himself from every assault of evil. He will preserve and bring me safe unto His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen (so be it).
Psalm 62:5-8 (Amplified Bible)
5 My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him.
6 He only is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Defense and my Fortress, I shall not be moved.
7 With God rests my salvation and my glory; He is my Rock of unyielding strength and impenetrable hardness, and my refuge is in God!
8 Trust in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is a refuge for us (a fortress and a high tower). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
Be IN Courage.
With love,
Linda Michelle
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Women of Prayer
I came across this devotion and it inspired me so much that I want to share it with you to encourage you to action as well. On this Thanksgiving Day, I am so very thankful for all of the women and men that have prayed for me, my family and the ministry that God has allowed me to steward over. My prayer is that the lives of those in my sphere of influence will be impacted by the prayers I pray for them, by the leading of the Holy Spirit.
"In one year, Christianity lost three holy women of faith, Agnes Sanford, Corrie Ten Boom and Catherine Marshall - as well as countless others whose names are unknown but who nevertheless did the work of God in this world. These are the women who knew what it meant to experience the presence of the unseen, who spent hours on their knees, who wept over the wounds of the world. For them, prayer was a second language. Who will take their place?
Frankly, there are very few candidates from our generation of women - those of us who have lavished hours in front of the television set, in the shopping plazas, in self-indulgence, in not developing a disciplined spiritual life.
Unless - unless we begin to grow up spiritually, Unless we become convinced that we are the generation of Christian adults ultimately responsible for the spiritual condition of our nation. we must understand that there are increasingly few in that generation ahead of us left to pray over this world. We are coming of age. But are we coming to terms with our lack of spiritul depth and ability?
It is we who must learn the meaning of forbearing.
It is we who must develop the disciplines of spiritual perseverance, not shrinking back from growth but doing the will of God, having faith and keeping our souls.
It is we who must become women of faith and prayer and obedience and service.
It is we who must set a spiritual standard for the next generation.
It is time for us all to grow up."
By Karen Burton Mains
Truly, Be IN courage!
United with you in strength and victory,
With love,
Linda Michelle
"In one year, Christianity lost three holy women of faith, Agnes Sanford, Corrie Ten Boom and Catherine Marshall - as well as countless others whose names are unknown but who nevertheless did the work of God in this world. These are the women who knew what it meant to experience the presence of the unseen, who spent hours on their knees, who wept over the wounds of the world. For them, prayer was a second language. Who will take their place?
Frankly, there are very few candidates from our generation of women - those of us who have lavished hours in front of the television set, in the shopping plazas, in self-indulgence, in not developing a disciplined spiritual life.
Unless - unless we begin to grow up spiritually, Unless we become convinced that we are the generation of Christian adults ultimately responsible for the spiritual condition of our nation. we must understand that there are increasingly few in that generation ahead of us left to pray over this world. We are coming of age. But are we coming to terms with our lack of spiritul depth and ability?
It is we who must learn the meaning of forbearing.
It is we who must develop the disciplines of spiritual perseverance, not shrinking back from growth but doing the will of God, having faith and keeping our souls.
It is we who must become women of faith and prayer and obedience and service.
It is we who must set a spiritual standard for the next generation.
It is time for us all to grow up."
By Karen Burton Mains
Truly, Be IN courage!
United with you in strength and victory,
With love,
Linda Michelle
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Something to make you smile
Click on the link below, turn the volume up on your computer, watch and enjoy.
Be refreshed by the beauty of the amazing simplicity of it all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EYAUazLI9k&feature=related
Be IN courage.
Linda Michelle
Be refreshed by the beauty of the amazing simplicity of it all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EYAUazLI9k&feature=related
Be IN courage.
Linda Michelle
Saturday, October 30, 2010
DON'T QUIT - A reminder to Be IN Courage
DON'T QUIT
When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit --
Rest if you must, but don't quit.
Life is strange with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow --
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a fair and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late when night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out --
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit, --
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.
-- Author Unknown --
Be IN Courage, even the more!
United with you in strength and victory,
With love,
Linda Michelle
When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit --
Rest if you must, but don't quit.
Life is strange with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow --
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a fair and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late when night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out --
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit, --
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.
-- Author Unknown --
Be IN Courage, even the more!
United with you in strength and victory,
With love,
Linda Michelle
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
PEACE
I found this devotion today and I pray and trust it will bless and encourage you.
From Streams in the Desert - 366 Daily Devotional Readings by L.B. Cowman
October 20
The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
There is a part of the sea known as "the cushion of the sea." It lies beneath the surface that is agitated by storms and churned by the wind. It is so deep that it is a part of the sea that is never stirred. When the ocean floor in these deep places is dredged of the remains of plant or animal life, it reveals evidence of having remained completely undisturbed for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
The peace of God is an eternal calm like the cushion of the sea. It lies so deeply within the human heart that on external difficulty or disturbances can reach it. And anyone who enters the presence of God becomes a partaker of that undisturbed and undisturbable calm.
Arthur Tappan Pierson
Far, far away, the roars of strife fall silent,
From Streams in the Desert - 366 Daily Devotional Readings by L.B. Cowman
October 20
The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
There is a part of the sea known as "the cushion of the sea." It lies beneath the surface that is agitated by storms and churned by the wind. It is so deep that it is a part of the sea that is never stirred. When the ocean floor in these deep places is dredged of the remains of plant or animal life, it reveals evidence of having remained completely undisturbed for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
The peace of God is an eternal calm like the cushion of the sea. It lies so deeply within the human heart that on external difficulty or disturbances can reach it. And anyone who enters the presence of God becomes a partaker of that undisturbed and undisturbable calm.
Arthur Tappan Pierson
When winds are raging o'er the upper ocean,
And waves are tossed wild with an angry roar,
It's said, far down beneath the wild commotion,
that peaceful stillness reigns forevermore.
Far, far beneath, noise of tempests falls silent,
and silver waves lie ever peacefully,
and no storm, however fierce or violent,
Disturbs the Sabbath of that deeper sea.
So to the heart that knows Your love, O Father,
There is a temple sacred evermore,
And all life's angry voices causing bother
Die in hushed silence at its peaceful door.
Far, far away, the roars of strife fall silent,
and loving thoughts rise ever peacefully,
and no storm, however fierce or violent,
Disturbs the soul that dwells, O Lord, in Thee.
Harriet Beecher Stowe
Be IN courage.
United with you in strength and victory,
and peace, with love,
Linda Michelle
Thursday, October 7, 2010
FAITH IN ACTION - Living Worry-Free
Whatever our situation, the Word of God holds our answer. We cannot worry and think on the Word at the same time. We can conquer worry by keeping our thoughts set on God's Word.
To do this, we must:
1. Find scriptures that pertain to our situation.
2. Write these verses down.
3. Read these verses aloud - not in a whisper - when we're tempted to worry.
We must speak louder than the voice of fear. As we continually confess these verses, our faith in God will rise and our situation will turn around.
(Original Author Hagee or Copeland)
Be IN courage.
United with you in strength and victory,
Linda Michelle
To do this, we must:
1. Find scriptures that pertain to our situation.
2. Write these verses down.
3. Read these verses aloud - not in a whisper - when we're tempted to worry.
We must speak louder than the voice of fear. As we continually confess these verses, our faith in God will rise and our situation will turn around.
(Original Author Hagee or Copeland)
Be IN courage.
United with you in strength and victory,
Linda Michelle
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
The Woman You Are in God's Mirror. Take Another Look.
“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.”
(Psalm 139:14-16)
“…My imposter trembles at the prospect of incurring the displeasure and wrath of others. Incapable to direct speech, he hedges, waffles, procrastinates and remains silent out of fear of rejection.”
“As James Masterson has written in The Search for the Real Self, ‘The false self plays it’s deceptive role, ostensibly protecting us - but doing so in a way that is programmed to keep us fearful of being abandoned, losing support, not being able to cope on our own, not being able to be alone.” End Quote***
For the average human being, the above statement holds a lot of truth, but for those who have come through the trauma of incest or similar acts, we can rewrite the words about hiding behind fear and wanting to please others using our own experiences.
BUT! The good news is as you continue to re-learn who you really are and all you were created to be and to do, you grow beyond mere illusions of who you have thought yourself to be and step into your true identity.
We are not the abuse that that happened to us, but instead we are created in the image and beauty of God. We are the miracle that was and still is; before and after the mess.
We are not the timid, fearful little girl hiding her head under the blankets; instead we are the strong, courageous saint pressing forward, growing in grace and strength, evolving more everyday into the vessel of honor which God created us to be.
We are not the victim being tricked into acts that defy our very nature, instead we are instruments of holiness, encouragement and inspiration, encouraging others through their personal “red sea” by our own testimony and prayer.
We are not the “nothing” we were told we were; instead we are more than a conqueror, more precious than the rarest jewels.
We are eternally the beloved of a Heavenly Father who understands our confusion, can clarify our questions, willing to calm our fears, supply our every need; emotionally, physically, financially and spiritually. He is our Refuge and our Strength; a very present help in the time of trouble. He is wonderful, marvelous and beautiful, and you and I were created in His image!
Now pause and calmly think about that!! Selah.
WHO I AM…..
I Am Accepted…
John 1:12 I am God’s child.
John 15:15 I am Christ’s friend.
Rom 5:1 I have been justified.
1 Cor 6:17 I am untied with Christ and have become One with Him.
1 Cor 6:19-20 I was brought with a price. I belong to God.
1 Cor. 12:27 I am a member of Christ’s body.
2 Cor 5:17 I am a new creation.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ, I no longer live, but Christ live in me. He is now my life.
Eph 1:1 I am a SAINT!
Col. 1:14 I am redeemed and forgiven.
Col 2:10 I am complete in Christ. I AM SECURE…
Ro. 8:1 I am forever free from condemnation.
Ro. 8:28 I am assured that God works all things together for my good.
2 Cor 1:21 I am established, anointed, and sealed by God.
Col 3:3 I have died and now my life is hidden with Christ in God.
Phil 1:6 I know God’s work in me will be perfected
Phil 3:30 I am a citizen of heaven.
2 Tim 1:7 I was not given a spirit of fear, but a Spirit of power and love. I have a sound mind.
Heb 4:16 I can find grace and mercy in time of need.
I AM SIGNIFICANT…
Rom 11:16 I am holy!
John 15:1,5 I am a branch of the true vine and a channel of His life.
John 15:16 I am chosen by Christ to bear fruit.
Acts 1:8 I am a personal witness of Christ.
Heb 2:11 I am sanctified and am one with Christ, so
1 Pet 2:9-10 He is not ashamed to call me His own.
1 Cor 2:16 I have been given the mind of Christ.
1 Cor 3:16 I am God’s temple, His Spirit lives in me.
2 Cor 6:1 I am God’s co-worker.
Eph. 2:6 I am seated with Christ in Heavenly places.
Eph. 2:10 I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ to do the work He planned beforehand.
Eph. 3:12 I may approach God with boldness and confidence.
Phi. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
1 John 3:1 God has bestowed a great love on me and called me…His Child!
(***from Abba’s Child, The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging by Brennan Manning, NAVPRESS, ISBN -1-57683-334-8)
Be IN Courage.
Written with love,
United with you in strength and courage,
Linda Michelle
Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.”
(Psalm 139:14-16)
“…My imposter trembles at the prospect of incurring the displeasure and wrath of others. Incapable to direct speech, he hedges, waffles, procrastinates and remains silent out of fear of rejection.”
“As James Masterson has written in The Search for the Real Self, ‘The false self plays it’s deceptive role, ostensibly protecting us - but doing so in a way that is programmed to keep us fearful of being abandoned, losing support, not being able to cope on our own, not being able to be alone.” End Quote***
For the average human being, the above statement holds a lot of truth, but for those who have come through the trauma of incest or similar acts, we can rewrite the words about hiding behind fear and wanting to please others using our own experiences.
BUT! The good news is as you continue to re-learn who you really are and all you were created to be and to do, you grow beyond mere illusions of who you have thought yourself to be and step into your true identity.
We are not the abuse that that happened to us, but instead we are created in the image and beauty of God. We are the miracle that was and still is; before and after the mess.
We are not the timid, fearful little girl hiding her head under the blankets; instead we are the strong, courageous saint pressing forward, growing in grace and strength, evolving more everyday into the vessel of honor which God created us to be.
We are not the victim being tricked into acts that defy our very nature, instead we are instruments of holiness, encouragement and inspiration, encouraging others through their personal “red sea” by our own testimony and prayer.
We are not the “nothing” we were told we were; instead we are more than a conqueror, more precious than the rarest jewels.
We are eternally the beloved of a Heavenly Father who understands our confusion, can clarify our questions, willing to calm our fears, supply our every need; emotionally, physically, financially and spiritually. He is our Refuge and our Strength; a very present help in the time of trouble. He is wonderful, marvelous and beautiful, and you and I were created in His image!
Now pause and calmly think about that!! Selah.
WHO I AM…..
I Am Accepted…
John 1:12 I am God’s child.
John 15:15 I am Christ’s friend.
Rom 5:1 I have been justified.
1 Cor 6:17 I am untied with Christ and have become One with Him.
1 Cor 6:19-20 I was brought with a price. I belong to God.
1 Cor. 12:27 I am a member of Christ’s body.
2 Cor 5:17 I am a new creation.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ, I no longer live, but Christ live in me. He is now my life.
Eph 1:1 I am a SAINT!
Col. 1:14 I am redeemed and forgiven.
Col 2:10 I am complete in Christ. I AM SECURE…
Ro. 8:1 I am forever free from condemnation.
Ro. 8:28 I am assured that God works all things together for my good.
2 Cor 1:21 I am established, anointed, and sealed by God.
Col 3:3 I have died and now my life is hidden with Christ in God.
Phil 1:6 I know God’s work in me will be perfected
Phil 3:30 I am a citizen of heaven.
2 Tim 1:7 I was not given a spirit of fear, but a Spirit of power and love. I have a sound mind.
Heb 4:16 I can find grace and mercy in time of need.
I AM SIGNIFICANT…
Rom 11:16 I am holy!
John 15:1,5 I am a branch of the true vine and a channel of His life.
John 15:16 I am chosen by Christ to bear fruit.
Acts 1:8 I am a personal witness of Christ.
Heb 2:11 I am sanctified and am one with Christ, so
1 Pet 2:9-10 He is not ashamed to call me His own.
1 Cor 2:16 I have been given the mind of Christ.
1 Cor 3:16 I am God’s temple, His Spirit lives in me.
2 Cor 6:1 I am God’s co-worker.
Eph. 2:6 I am seated with Christ in Heavenly places.
Eph. 2:10 I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ to do the work He planned beforehand.
Eph. 3:12 I may approach God with boldness and confidence.
Phi. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
1 John 3:1 God has bestowed a great love on me and called me…His Child!
(***from Abba’s Child, The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging by Brennan Manning, NAVPRESS, ISBN -1-57683-334-8)
Be IN Courage.
Written with love,
United with you in strength and courage,
Linda Michelle
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Prayer to Renew Your Health
I came across this today and it blessed not only me, but it was the perfect words to share with a precious sister-friend going through an intense "real-time" trial. It is simply and to the point. I pray this blesses you as well, at the very point of your need. Be reminded that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and must be strong and healthy for you to remain equipped to do all that you are called to do: in your personal life, at work and in your field of ministry service.
Be IN courage....
Prayer to Renew Your Health
by Norman Vincent Peale
Practice this prayer when you need to feel restored. Sit quietly and feel the working of God in the world, in the life around you. Feel His working in your mind. Let go all anxiety, all conflict and let harmony take over. Feel the touch of the Creator on your physical body.
Say these words:
He who creates also re-creates.
I am being re-created now.
The life force is filling me to overflowing.
I am well, healthy, strong.
I thank God, my Creator, my Re-creator.
Health, vigor, energy, has come to me.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Hold on Until the End
Encouragement from Streams in the Desert that has inspired "..wind beneath my wings..." and I pray it does the same for you.
Remember:
"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."
(Psalms 30:5)
"And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we can have in Him: (we are sure) that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us."
(1 John 5:14)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"We are made partaker of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end" (Heb. 3:14)
It is the last step that wins; and there is no place in the pilgrim's progress where so many dangers lurk as the region that lies hard by the portals of the Celestial City. It was there that Doubting Castle stood. It was there that the enchanted ground lured the tired traveler to fatal slumber. It is when Heaven's heights are full in view that hell's gate is most persistent and full of deadly peril. "Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." "So run, that ye may obtain."
In the bitter waves of woe
Beaten and tossed about
By the sullen winds that blow
From the desolate shores of doubt,
Where the anchors that faith has cast
Are dragging in the gale,
I am quietly holding fast
To the things that cannot fail.
And fierce though the fiends may fight,
And long though the angels hide,
I know that truth and right
Have the universe on their side;
And that somewhere beyond the stars
Is a love that is better than fate.
When the night unlocks her bars
I shall see Him--
and I will wait.
--Washington Gladden
The problem of getting great things from God is being able to hold on for the last half hour. --Selected
Be IN courage.
Remember:
"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."
(Psalms 30:5)
"And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we can have in Him: (we are sure) that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us."
(1 John 5:14)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"We are made partaker of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end" (Heb. 3:14)
It is the last step that wins; and there is no place in the pilgrim's progress where so many dangers lurk as the region that lies hard by the portals of the Celestial City. It was there that Doubting Castle stood. It was there that the enchanted ground lured the tired traveler to fatal slumber. It is when Heaven's heights are full in view that hell's gate is most persistent and full of deadly peril. "Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." "So run, that ye may obtain."
In the bitter waves of woe
Beaten and tossed about
By the sullen winds that blow
From the desolate shores of doubt,
Where the anchors that faith has cast
Are dragging in the gale,
I am quietly holding fast
To the things that cannot fail.
And fierce though the fiends may fight,
And long though the angels hide,
I know that truth and right
Have the universe on their side;
And that somewhere beyond the stars
Is a love that is better than fate.
When the night unlocks her bars
I shall see Him--
and I will wait.
--Washington Gladden
The problem of getting great things from God is being able to hold on for the last half hour. --Selected
Be IN courage.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Healing Scriptures
Whether you are seeking the Lord to heal you spiritually, physically or emotionally these Bible verses will help you find comfort.
James 5:13-15
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Isaiah 58:8
Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you;The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Psalm 41:3
The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed.
Exodus 23:25
So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.
Psalm 91:15-16
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.
Psalm 30:2
O Lord my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me.
Psalm 107:19-20
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.
Psalm 73:4-5
They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills.
Psalm 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Isaiah 38:16
O Lord, by these things men live; And in all these things is the life of my spirit; So You will restore me and make me live.
Isaiah 57:18
I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him, And restore comforts to him And to his mourners.
Jeremiah 33:6
Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.
Psalm 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
Psalm 55:18
He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
Psalm 31:24
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.
Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Psalm 3:5
I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.
Psalm 55:22
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Isaiah 40:29
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Luke 4:40
When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.
Luke 6:18
as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed.
Luke 9:11
But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing.
Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Be IN courage.
Linda Michelle Trainer
James 5:13-15
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Isaiah 58:8
Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you;The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Psalm 41:3
The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed.
Exodus 23:25
So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.
Psalm 91:15-16
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.
Psalm 30:2
O Lord my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me.
Psalm 107:19-20
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.
Psalm 73:4-5
They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills.
Psalm 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Isaiah 38:16
O Lord, by these things men live; And in all these things is the life of my spirit; So You will restore me and make me live.
Isaiah 57:18
I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him, And restore comforts to him And to his mourners.
Jeremiah 33:6
Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.
Psalm 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
Psalm 55:18
He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
Psalm 31:24
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.
Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Psalm 3:5
I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.
Psalm 55:22
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Isaiah 40:29
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Luke 4:40
When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.
Luke 6:18
as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed.
Luke 9:11
But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing.
Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Be IN courage.
Linda Michelle Trainer
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Trust and Rest
This is an inspiration from one of my long standing favorite devotionals. I pray it brings comfort, encouragement and peace to you as it does for me.
Streams in the Desert - July 25
Trust and Rest
"Trust also in Him" (Ps. 37:3).
The word trust is the heart word of faith. It is the Old Testament word, the word given to the early and infant stage of faith. The word faith expresses more the act of the will, the word belief the act of the mind or intellect, but trust is the language of the heart. The other has reference more to a truth believed or a thing expected.
Trust implies more than this, it sees and feels, and leans upon a person, a great, true, living heart of love. So let us "trust also in him," through all the delays, in spite of all the difficulties, in the face of all the denials, notwithstanding all the seemings, even when we cannot understand the way, and know not the issue; still "trust also in him, and he will bring it to pass." The way will open, the right issue will come, the end will be peace, the cloud will be lifted, and the light of an eternal noonday shall shine at last.
"Trust and rest when all around thee
Puts thy faith to sorest test;
Let no fear or foe confound thee,
Wait for God and trust and rest.
"Trust and rest with heart abiding,
Like a birdling in its nest,
Underneath His feathers hiding,
Fold thy wings and trust and rest."
Be IN courage
Streams in the Desert - July 25
Trust and Rest
"Trust also in Him" (Ps. 37:3).
The word trust is the heart word of faith. It is the Old Testament word, the word given to the early and infant stage of faith. The word faith expresses more the act of the will, the word belief the act of the mind or intellect, but trust is the language of the heart. The other has reference more to a truth believed or a thing expected.
Trust implies more than this, it sees and feels, and leans upon a person, a great, true, living heart of love. So let us "trust also in him," through all the delays, in spite of all the difficulties, in the face of all the denials, notwithstanding all the seemings, even when we cannot understand the way, and know not the issue; still "trust also in him, and he will bring it to pass." The way will open, the right issue will come, the end will be peace, the cloud will be lifted, and the light of an eternal noonday shall shine at last.
"Trust and rest when all around thee
Puts thy faith to sorest test;
Let no fear or foe confound thee,
Wait for God and trust and rest.
"Trust and rest with heart abiding,
Like a birdling in its nest,
Underneath His feathers hiding,
Fold thy wings and trust and rest."
Be IN courage
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Alphabets
This is a great reminder to Be IN courage... as simple as ABC....
* Although things are not perfect
* Because of trial or pain,
* Continue in thanksgiving
* Do not begin to blame.
* Even when the times are hard
* Fierce winds are bound to blow.
* God is forever able,
* Hold on to what you know!
* Imagine life without His love,
* Joy would cease to be.
* Keep thanking Him for all the things
* Love imparts to Thee.
* Move out of "Camp Complaining!"
* No weapon that is known
* On earth can yield the power
* Praise can do alone.
* Quit looking at the future;
* Redeem the time at hand;
* Start every day with worship--
* To "thank" is a command.
* Until we see Him coming,
* Victorious in the sky
* We'll run the race with gratitude
* Xalting God most high.
* Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
* Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!
~Author Unknown~
"...His favor is on my life; Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." Psalms 30:5b
"Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you—rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!" Isaiah 60:1 (Amplified)
"The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalms 27:1
"The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17
Be IN courage, even the more!
* Although things are not perfect
* Because of trial or pain,
* Continue in thanksgiving
* Do not begin to blame.
* Even when the times are hard
* Fierce winds are bound to blow.
* God is forever able,
* Hold on to what you know!
* Imagine life without His love,
* Joy would cease to be.
* Keep thanking Him for all the things
* Love imparts to Thee.
* Move out of "Camp Complaining!"
* No weapon that is known
* On earth can yield the power
* Praise can do alone.
* Quit looking at the future;
* Redeem the time at hand;
* Start every day with worship--
* To "thank" is a command.
* Until we see Him coming,
* Victorious in the sky
* We'll run the race with gratitude
* Xalting God most high.
* Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
* Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!
~Author Unknown~
"...His favor is on my life; Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." Psalms 30:5b
"Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you—rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!" Isaiah 60:1 (Amplified)
"The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalms 27:1
"The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17
Be IN courage, even the more!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Think about this....
Here are a few quotes to inspire and encourage you today along your way.
NOTE: It's not all about "who said it" as much as it is about "what was said." Look at the fruit to find the root. Taste and see and know for yourself.
When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place."
~ Unknown
"If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can't, you're right. "
~ Mary Kay Ash
Norman Vincent Peale On Attitude:
"Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure. The way you think about a fact may defeat you before you ever do anything about it. You are overcome by the fact because you think you are. "
~ Norman Vincent Peale
Thomas Jefferson Right Mental Attitude Quote:
"Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude. "
~ Thomas Jefferson
John F. Kennedy Positive Outlook Quote:
"When written in Chinese, the word crisis is composed of two characters. One represents danger, and the other represents opportunity."
~ John F. Kennedy
Ella Wheeler Wilcox Attitude Poem:
"One ship drives east and another drives west
With the selfsame winds that blow.
'Tis the set of sails and not the gales
Which tells us the way to go. "
~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Be in Courage, even the more!
NOTE: It's not all about "who said it" as much as it is about "what was said." Look at the fruit to find the root. Taste and see and know for yourself.
When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place."
~ Unknown
"If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can't, you're right. "
~ Mary Kay Ash
Norman Vincent Peale On Attitude:
"Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure. The way you think about a fact may defeat you before you ever do anything about it. You are overcome by the fact because you think you are. "
~ Norman Vincent Peale
Thomas Jefferson Right Mental Attitude Quote:
"Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude. "
~ Thomas Jefferson
John F. Kennedy Positive Outlook Quote:
"When written in Chinese, the word crisis is composed of two characters. One represents danger, and the other represents opportunity."
~ John F. Kennedy
Ella Wheeler Wilcox Attitude Poem:
"One ship drives east and another drives west
With the selfsame winds that blow.
'Tis the set of sails and not the gales
Which tells us the way to go. "
~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Be in Courage, even the more!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Keep On Believing
I received an email from a dear sister earlier this week that encouraged me more than she will ever know. The timing of this email and the message was a word in due season, as I have several "burdens" I am praying through this week, personal and for Elegant Doves which are related to people I care about. There are family members that are dealing with "destiny decisions" and challenges. There are families that are stressed to the max concerning recent disclosures of incest abuse and the far reaching impact this revelation has for their family. There are marriages of dear friends that are "on the edge" and health and financial challenges that others are facing. And the list goes on and on....
...BUT, I KNOW THAT THERE IS HOPE!! I know that there are answers to all of theses situations and I know that I know that I know that ALL things work together for good, based on Romans 8:28. I have seen it manifest before in my own life and in the lives of others. It is "getting through the going through stage that is often the challenge.
I ask that you read an excerpt of a devotion from Derek Prince Ministries and be encouraged and grab hold of the hope you need, personally and/or for your "ministry assignment".
"Are you carrying a burden right now for someone close to you? Maybe that person is a spouse, or a child, or a parent or a close friend. If you are carrying such a concern, we hope this letter will be a source of great encouragement and strength to you in the midst of the situation.
Three More Words of Hope
Over the last few months, the Lord has been nudging me forward in the area of faith and hope. Some of those encouragements have been the focus of recent letters we have sent.
A few months ago, I wrote about “Three Words of Hope.” In fact, in the letter in which that appeared, there were actually three different groups of three words: “Yet even now,” “Who knows whether,” and “Don’t give up.” I hope those thoughts were encouraging to you.
This letter adds three more words of hope to those groups: “Keep on believing.”
These three new words of hope came to light from a recent encounter with the Lord when He spoke the following words to me in a time of prayer: “I will take you by the hand.” The Lord then used the passage about Jairus’ young daughter, whom Jesus raised from the dead, to provide insight into the new life Jesus brings to us. When Jesus took that little girl by the hand in Mark 5:41, He issued this command: “Talitha, cumi” [“Little girl, arise”]. The result? That precious daughter came back to life.
“Keep On Believing”
My early focus of study after the Lord spoke to me had been on the little girl. But just recently, the Lord turned my focus to Jesus’ interaction with Jairus, the little girl’s dad. That concerned father was the one carrying such a huge burden for his dearly beloved daughter. Imagine how Jairus must have felt when Jesus was interrupted in the journey to pray for his daughter by the woman with the issue of blood. Precious minutes were consumed in the Master’s encounter with that dear woman who reached out in great faith to simply touch the hem of Jesus’ garment.
As grateful as Jairus may have been for the woman’s healing, this distraught father had to be saying in his heart, “But Jesus, what about my dying daughter?” Then came the news he dreaded, recorded with special poignancy in the Amplified version: “While He [Jesus] was still speaking, there came some from the ruler’s house, who said [to Jairus], ‘Your daughter has died. Why bother and distress the Teacher any further?’” (Mark 5:35, Amplified).
It’s hard to imagine the wave of grief and despair that must have hit that father at that moment. The child for whom he was desperately concerned was gone. No more reason to look to Jesus with expectation. Time had run out for his daughter.
But I love how Jesus handles this situation. Immediately, as Mark 5:36 tells us, He was at Jairus’ side to set the story straight: “Overhearing but ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue [Jairus], ‘Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear: only keep on believing.’”
Are Those Words for You? Could it be that the words Jesus spoke to that concerned father are also meant for us? In regard to the burden of concern you carry for your loved one, the words of Jesus ring true: “Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear: only keep on believing.”
It may well be that the enemy has been whispering lies in your ear. Those lies do not represent the last word on the situation. It is not hopeless. Could it be that the Lord of Life is even now on His way to take the hand of the one for whom you are so concerned? Like the little girl Jesus raised, when He takes hold of a situation, the inevitable result is new life—resurrection life. Can you receive His words by faith? “Do not fear, but keep on believing.” (end quote)
Receive this as your own source of encouragement and hope: Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear: only keep on believing.
Be IN courage!
United with you in strength and victory,
With love,
Linda Michelle
...BUT, I KNOW THAT THERE IS HOPE!! I know that there are answers to all of theses situations and I know that I know that I know that ALL things work together for good, based on Romans 8:28. I have seen it manifest before in my own life and in the lives of others. It is "getting through the going through stage that is often the challenge.
I ask that you read an excerpt of a devotion from Derek Prince Ministries and be encouraged and grab hold of the hope you need, personally and/or for your "ministry assignment".
( The following is an excerpt of a devotion from Derek Prince Ministries)
"Are you carrying a burden right now for someone close to you? Maybe that person is a spouse, or a child, or a parent or a close friend. If you are carrying such a concern, we hope this letter will be a source of great encouragement and strength to you in the midst of the situation.
Three More Words of Hope
Over the last few months, the Lord has been nudging me forward in the area of faith and hope. Some of those encouragements have been the focus of recent letters we have sent.
A few months ago, I wrote about “Three Words of Hope.” In fact, in the letter in which that appeared, there were actually three different groups of three words: “Yet even now,” “Who knows whether,” and “Don’t give up.” I hope those thoughts were encouraging to you.
This letter adds three more words of hope to those groups: “Keep on believing.”
These three new words of hope came to light from a recent encounter with the Lord when He spoke the following words to me in a time of prayer: “I will take you by the hand.” The Lord then used the passage about Jairus’ young daughter, whom Jesus raised from the dead, to provide insight into the new life Jesus brings to us. When Jesus took that little girl by the hand in Mark 5:41, He issued this command: “Talitha, cumi” [“Little girl, arise”]. The result? That precious daughter came back to life.
“Keep On Believing”
My early focus of study after the Lord spoke to me had been on the little girl. But just recently, the Lord turned my focus to Jesus’ interaction with Jairus, the little girl’s dad. That concerned father was the one carrying such a huge burden for his dearly beloved daughter. Imagine how Jairus must have felt when Jesus was interrupted in the journey to pray for his daughter by the woman with the issue of blood. Precious minutes were consumed in the Master’s encounter with that dear woman who reached out in great faith to simply touch the hem of Jesus’ garment.
As grateful as Jairus may have been for the woman’s healing, this distraught father had to be saying in his heart, “But Jesus, what about my dying daughter?” Then came the news he dreaded, recorded with special poignancy in the Amplified version: “While He [Jesus] was still speaking, there came some from the ruler’s house, who said [to Jairus], ‘Your daughter has died. Why bother and distress the Teacher any further?’” (Mark 5:35, Amplified).
It’s hard to imagine the wave of grief and despair that must have hit that father at that moment. The child for whom he was desperately concerned was gone. No more reason to look to Jesus with expectation. Time had run out for his daughter.
But I love how Jesus handles this situation. Immediately, as Mark 5:36 tells us, He was at Jairus’ side to set the story straight: “Overhearing but ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue [Jairus], ‘Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear: only keep on believing.’”
Are Those Words for You? Could it be that the words Jesus spoke to that concerned father are also meant for us? In regard to the burden of concern you carry for your loved one, the words of Jesus ring true: “Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear: only keep on believing.”
It may well be that the enemy has been whispering lies in your ear. Those lies do not represent the last word on the situation. It is not hopeless. Could it be that the Lord of Life is even now on His way to take the hand of the one for whom you are so concerned? Like the little girl Jesus raised, when He takes hold of a situation, the inevitable result is new life—resurrection life. Can you receive His words by faith? “Do not fear, but keep on believing.” (end quote)
Receive this as your own source of encouragement and hope: Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear: only keep on believing.
Be IN courage!
United with you in strength and victory,
With love,
Linda Michelle
Monday, June 14, 2010
Check for Cracks
The beginning of last week through today has been a great "refreshing period" taking place in my life. It has been one of the most intense and yet renewing times I have had in a very long while.
I have been challenged to review my life; take another, longer look at the "woman in the mirror". Blessings are overflowing from every direction around me and with it so is the requirement for actual implementation of the work I am called to do with more focus and determination. It is truly real-time, serious, hard work at times, for which I would not trade one moment, personally and in ministry. The hard part has been in really taking a look at "how" I am doing the work. The question has been am I on track, off track or laying down on the tracks, when I should be pressing forward.
I am pleased to share that I have discovered some "error messages" on the control panel of my life; pleased because I have taken note of them and have taken action and put strategies in place to correct what needs to be corrected. Had these "error messages" gone unnoticed for much longer, there is no telling where 'my train' would have been heading for. A real-time "danger zone" was directly in my path.
I have taken a look at every every of my life; health, spiritual, family, financial and recreational. There have been some positive things taking place and yet some major 'errors in judgment' which have been made.
I just viewed another awe-inspiring video message of hope and encouragement from Rick Renner daily "Sparkling Gems from the Greek" devotional. I encourage you to take time to check it out (Monday 14 June). It is a must see. I also urge you to get the Sparkling Gems from the Greek devotional book as well. You will grow in wisdom and understanding.
http://www.lightsource.com/ministry/refuel-with-rick/
This devotion shares how when we ignore the condition of our "foundation" because of busyness, prayerlessness, insensitivity to the Holy Spirit or from being proud, cocky, overconfident, lazy or complacent, we are endangering not only our lives, but how we put in harms way the lives that are connected to ours. A simple 'fix', but one that will take real time work, which is not work at all. It is taking time to BE STILL and hear the voice of our "ENGINEER" giving us direction and instruction for our personalized course.
Take a few minutes to check out the above link and as well Beth Moore's "A Quick Word from Beth" http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/a-quick-word-with-beth-moore/ (Monday 14 June). You will truly be inspired.
Take a look at one last thing I would like to share on the subject today. I found this in the Message Bible. I pray it inspires you to check the foundation of your life - the things you are currently doing to ensure that you are "on track" with your ordained purpose and calling and that there are no "cracks" in your foundation where your enemies can seep through. Your life is too valuable and too precious to waste any portion of it. Your purpose is too far reaching to have it destroyed now. You have come to far to turn back now!! There are too many lives still hanging in the balance, waiting for what God has placed in you for them, as only you can deliver. Remember, quitting is not an option. Neither is anything short of your most excellent effort.
1 Corinthians 10 (The Message) (verses 1-14,23-24)
1-5 Remember our history, friends, and be warned. All our ancestors were led by the providential Cloud and taken miraculously through the Sea. They went through the waters, in a baptism like ours, as Moses led them from enslaving death to salvation life. They all ate and drank identical food and drink, meals provided daily by God. They drank from the Rock, God's fountain for them that stayed with them wherever they were. And the Rock was Christ. But just experiencing God's wonder and grace didn't seem to mean much—most of them were defeated by temptation during the hard times in the desert, and God was not pleased.
6-10 The same thing could happen to us. We must be on guard so that we never get caught up in wanting our own way as they did. And we must not turn our religion into a circus as they did—"First the people partied, then they threw a dance." We must not be sexually promiscuous—they paid for that, remember, with 23,000 deaths in one day! We must never try to get Christ to serve us instead of us serving him; they tried it, and God launched an epidemic of poisonous snakes. We must be careful not to stir up discontent; discontent destroyed them.
11-12 These are all warning markers—danger!—in our history books, written down so that we don't repeat their mistakes. Our positions in the story are parallel—they at the beginning, we at the end—and we are just as capable of messing it up as they were. Don't be so naive and self-confident. You're not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence.
13 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it.
14 So, my very dear friends, when you see people reducing God to something they can use or control, get out of their company as fast as you can.
23-24 Looking at it one way, you could say, "Anything goes. Because of God's immense generosity and grace, we don't have to dissect and scrutinize every action to see if it will pass muster." But the point is not to just get by. We want to live well, but our foremost efforts should be to help others live well.
29-30 But, except for these special cases, I'm not going to walk around on eggshells worrying about what small-minded people might say; I'm going to stride free and easy, knowing what our large-minded Master has already said. If I eat what is served to me, grateful to God for what is on the table, how can I worry about what someone will say? I thanked God for it and he blessed it!
31-33 So eat your meals heartily, not worrying about what others say about you—you're eating to God's glory, after all, not to please them. As a matter of fact, do everything that way, heartily and freely to God's glory. At the same time, don't be callous in your exercise of freedom, thoughtlessly stepping on the toes of those who aren't as free as you are. I try my best to be considerate of everyone's feelings in all these matters; I hope you will be, too.
Be IN Courage, even the more.
With love and joy,
Linda Michelle
I have been challenged to review my life; take another, longer look at the "woman in the mirror". Blessings are overflowing from every direction around me and with it so is the requirement for actual implementation of the work I am called to do with more focus and determination. It is truly real-time, serious, hard work at times, for which I would not trade one moment, personally and in ministry. The hard part has been in really taking a look at "how" I am doing the work. The question has been am I on track, off track or laying down on the tracks, when I should be pressing forward.
I am pleased to share that I have discovered some "error messages" on the control panel of my life; pleased because I have taken note of them and have taken action and put strategies in place to correct what needs to be corrected. Had these "error messages" gone unnoticed for much longer, there is no telling where 'my train' would have been heading for. A real-time "danger zone" was directly in my path.
I have taken a look at every every of my life; health, spiritual, family, financial and recreational. There have been some positive things taking place and yet some major 'errors in judgment' which have been made.
I just viewed another awe-inspiring video message of hope and encouragement from Rick Renner daily "Sparkling Gems from the Greek" devotional. I encourage you to take time to check it out (Monday 14 June). It is a must see. I also urge you to get the Sparkling Gems from the Greek devotional book as well. You will grow in wisdom and understanding.
http://www.lightsource.com/ministry/refuel-with-rick/
This devotion shares how when we ignore the condition of our "foundation" because of busyness, prayerlessness, insensitivity to the Holy Spirit or from being proud, cocky, overconfident, lazy or complacent, we are endangering not only our lives, but how we put in harms way the lives that are connected to ours. A simple 'fix', but one that will take real time work, which is not work at all. It is taking time to BE STILL and hear the voice of our "ENGINEER" giving us direction and instruction for our personalized course.
Take a few minutes to check out the above link and as well Beth Moore's "A Quick Word from Beth" http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/a-quick-word-with-beth-moore/ (Monday 14 June). You will truly be inspired.
Take a look at one last thing I would like to share on the subject today. I found this in the Message Bible. I pray it inspires you to check the foundation of your life - the things you are currently doing to ensure that you are "on track" with your ordained purpose and calling and that there are no "cracks" in your foundation where your enemies can seep through. Your life is too valuable and too precious to waste any portion of it. Your purpose is too far reaching to have it destroyed now. You have come to far to turn back now!! There are too many lives still hanging in the balance, waiting for what God has placed in you for them, as only you can deliver. Remember, quitting is not an option. Neither is anything short of your most excellent effort.
1 Corinthians 10 (The Message) (verses 1-14,23-24)
1-5 Remember our history, friends, and be warned. All our ancestors were led by the providential Cloud and taken miraculously through the Sea. They went through the waters, in a baptism like ours, as Moses led them from enslaving death to salvation life. They all ate and drank identical food and drink, meals provided daily by God. They drank from the Rock, God's fountain for them that stayed with them wherever they were. And the Rock was Christ. But just experiencing God's wonder and grace didn't seem to mean much—most of them were defeated by temptation during the hard times in the desert, and God was not pleased.
6-10 The same thing could happen to us. We must be on guard so that we never get caught up in wanting our own way as they did. And we must not turn our religion into a circus as they did—"First the people partied, then they threw a dance." We must not be sexually promiscuous—they paid for that, remember, with 23,000 deaths in one day! We must never try to get Christ to serve us instead of us serving him; they tried it, and God launched an epidemic of poisonous snakes. We must be careful not to stir up discontent; discontent destroyed them.
11-12 These are all warning markers—danger!—in our history books, written down so that we don't repeat their mistakes. Our positions in the story are parallel—they at the beginning, we at the end—and we are just as capable of messing it up as they were. Don't be so naive and self-confident. You're not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence.
13 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it.
14 So, my very dear friends, when you see people reducing God to something they can use or control, get out of their company as fast as you can.
23-24 Looking at it one way, you could say, "Anything goes. Because of God's immense generosity and grace, we don't have to dissect and scrutinize every action to see if it will pass muster." But the point is not to just get by. We want to live well, but our foremost efforts should be to help others live well.
29-30 But, except for these special cases, I'm not going to walk around on eggshells worrying about what small-minded people might say; I'm going to stride free and easy, knowing what our large-minded Master has already said. If I eat what is served to me, grateful to God for what is on the table, how can I worry about what someone will say? I thanked God for it and he blessed it!
31-33 So eat your meals heartily, not worrying about what others say about you—you're eating to God's glory, after all, not to please them. As a matter of fact, do everything that way, heartily and freely to God's glory. At the same time, don't be callous in your exercise of freedom, thoughtlessly stepping on the toes of those who aren't as free as you are. I try my best to be considerate of everyone's feelings in all these matters; I hope you will be, too.
Be IN Courage, even the more.
With love and joy,
Linda Michelle
Sunday, May 16, 2010
The Rainbow; A Reminder of God’s Faithfulness
Be IN courage as you read more from the anointed writing of Leola!
"The year is 1990. I am sitting on a plane on my way to a memorial service for a young niece who committed suicide. She had just turned 18. Had the whole world ahead of her. Not a place that I would say that I would want to be going. Hurting and alone, but unable to express all the pent up emotions. I have to be strong for the family. I have to put on the “mask” that is expected of me. To be the “religious” girl. To bring hope and God’s love to a terrible tragedy that had come to pass. Yet, I don’t feel like I can offer words of comfort to my family. I am still struggling with the “why”?
As I look out the window, I see a rainbow. I am immediately drawn to God’s promise. The rainbow is a reminder of His faithfulness to His Word. I feel His power enveloping me and surrounding me as a warm coat on a cold, cold, wintery day. I begin to receive His peace as I remember the stories of old and how every promise in His book is true and can be claimed for today; for my deep despair. I feel the heavy burdens beginning to lift. He directs me to His Word; “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.” Isaiah 43:2 He had promised to be with me during the difficult times. During the times of despair and grief. I truly was walking through the fire and feeling like I was going under. But, His word is full of promises and hope for those who are hurting. That included me.
“Fear not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee, yes, I will help thee; yes, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10
I am once again drawn to the comfort that can only be received when you have Jesus as Lord and King of your life. Yes, I had pain. Yes, I was hurting. But. . . I have a God who cares about me and wants to heal my pain. In the midst of my agony he provided a rainbow; a visual reminder of his faithfulness to me. As I learn to turn my cares over to Him, I then can begin to know that He has it all covered. He will redeem this tragedy for His good. He loved me enough to give me this reminder just when I needed to see it.
It might not seem like that is going to happen for you. You are in such deep despair that you are questioning where God is in the midst of your grief. He is there. He is listening to His children when they call on Him. He so wants to heal your wounds. To set you free of fear, despair and hopelessness. Whatever your situation, He has a way of escape. A way to change your mourning into gladness. Just open His Word and allow Him to heal you. Let Him direct your fingers as they search the Word for the truth He is waiting to show to you.
So, my friend, when you see the rainbow may you be reminded that every promise in His Word is true. Every promise was spoken for you as you yield your will under the skill of our Master and Lord. "
Leola Stotts
May 7, 2010
(Copy Written. All Rights Reserved - Leola Stotts)
"The year is 1990. I am sitting on a plane on my way to a memorial service for a young niece who committed suicide. She had just turned 18. Had the whole world ahead of her. Not a place that I would say that I would want to be going. Hurting and alone, but unable to express all the pent up emotions. I have to be strong for the family. I have to put on the “mask” that is expected of me. To be the “religious” girl. To bring hope and God’s love to a terrible tragedy that had come to pass. Yet, I don’t feel like I can offer words of comfort to my family. I am still struggling with the “why”?
As I look out the window, I see a rainbow. I am immediately drawn to God’s promise. The rainbow is a reminder of His faithfulness to His Word. I feel His power enveloping me and surrounding me as a warm coat on a cold, cold, wintery day. I begin to receive His peace as I remember the stories of old and how every promise in His book is true and can be claimed for today; for my deep despair. I feel the heavy burdens beginning to lift. He directs me to His Word; “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.” Isaiah 43:2 He had promised to be with me during the difficult times. During the times of despair and grief. I truly was walking through the fire and feeling like I was going under. But, His word is full of promises and hope for those who are hurting. That included me.
“Fear not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee, yes, I will help thee; yes, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10
I am once again drawn to the comfort that can only be received when you have Jesus as Lord and King of your life. Yes, I had pain. Yes, I was hurting. But. . . I have a God who cares about me and wants to heal my pain. In the midst of my agony he provided a rainbow; a visual reminder of his faithfulness to me. As I learn to turn my cares over to Him, I then can begin to know that He has it all covered. He will redeem this tragedy for His good. He loved me enough to give me this reminder just when I needed to see it.
It might not seem like that is going to happen for you. You are in such deep despair that you are questioning where God is in the midst of your grief. He is there. He is listening to His children when they call on Him. He so wants to heal your wounds. To set you free of fear, despair and hopelessness. Whatever your situation, He has a way of escape. A way to change your mourning into gladness. Just open His Word and allow Him to heal you. Let Him direct your fingers as they search the Word for the truth He is waiting to show to you.
So, my friend, when you see the rainbow may you be reminded that every promise in His Word is true. Every promise was spoken for you as you yield your will under the skill of our Master and Lord. "
Leola Stotts
May 7, 2010
(Copy Written. All Rights Reserved - Leola Stotts)
Monday, May 10, 2010
A Flower in the desert: Evidence of God's love
A precious, gifted sister has graciously shared this encouraging devotional to inspire and comfort us along our journey. Be IN courage by this anointed piece I am calling A Flower in the Desert: Evidence of God's love, as this is what it reminds me of when I read it. Let me know how it encourages you.
"Have you ever been in a desert place? A place of heat, and dryness, and lack of energy and motivation? A place where you could not find shelter, shade, water or comfort? I have been there. Seems many times over. Times when I have felt like there is no love or comfort to be found. Times when I have felt alone and forgotten by God. Because it is God that brings the comfort, the shelter, the love and companionship.
I remember camping in the Red Rock area outside of Bakersfield. It can be a beautiful place when the air cools, when the shade comes, and when I am feeling the presence of God. My family was camping one week on this desert. I was being pulled, tugged as it was, to go for a walk, alone, out in the desert. I walked a ways and was crying out to God, “Lord, why do I feel so empty and alone?” I often felt like that when I had been too busy to call on Him. Too busy to spend time in His Word. Too busy to seek His face.
As I walked alone in the barren, hot desert land, I came upon a cactus. As I approached the cactus I saw the most beautiful flower ever. It was fragrant, and vibrant in color and stood proudly amongst the green of the cactus. It was an immediate reminder of how faithful our God is to His people. He provided a gorgeous to the eye and to the nose, reminder of how he delights in answering prayers. He delights in the things that delight us. He knows how much I love flowers and gardens and His nature. I walked back to my campsite in awe of how amazing a God I serve. One who cares enough about ME, in the midst of the desert, to provide that comfort in the beauty of a flower.
“Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and will dwell in your midst,” says the Lord. Zechariah 2:10
He did indeed come and dwell with me, that day, in that desert place. Let Him do the same for you. He is available. He is able. He is urging You to allow Him to be your peace."
(Copy written - all rights reserved - Leola Stotts)
Leola Stotts
May 10, 2010
"Have you ever been in a desert place? A place of heat, and dryness, and lack of energy and motivation? A place where you could not find shelter, shade, water or comfort? I have been there. Seems many times over. Times when I have felt like there is no love or comfort to be found. Times when I have felt alone and forgotten by God. Because it is God that brings the comfort, the shelter, the love and companionship.
I remember camping in the Red Rock area outside of Bakersfield. It can be a beautiful place when the air cools, when the shade comes, and when I am feeling the presence of God. My family was camping one week on this desert. I was being pulled, tugged as it was, to go for a walk, alone, out in the desert. I walked a ways and was crying out to God, “Lord, why do I feel so empty and alone?” I often felt like that when I had been too busy to call on Him. Too busy to spend time in His Word. Too busy to seek His face.
As I walked alone in the barren, hot desert land, I came upon a cactus. As I approached the cactus I saw the most beautiful flower ever. It was fragrant, and vibrant in color and stood proudly amongst the green of the cactus. It was an immediate reminder of how faithful our God is to His people. He provided a gorgeous to the eye and to the nose, reminder of how he delights in answering prayers. He delights in the things that delight us. He knows how much I love flowers and gardens and His nature. I walked back to my campsite in awe of how amazing a God I serve. One who cares enough about ME, in the midst of the desert, to provide that comfort in the beauty of a flower.
“Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and will dwell in your midst,” says the Lord. Zechariah 2:10
He did indeed come and dwell with me, that day, in that desert place. Let Him do the same for you. He is available. He is able. He is urging You to allow Him to be your peace."
(Copy written - all rights reserved - Leola Stotts)
Leola Stotts
May 10, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Living a Victorious, Overcoming Life....
Quiting is NOT an option. And neither is compromise. You have come this far by faith and you can make it through whatever it is you are facing right now - regardless of the circumstance.
Be IN courage by these words - ALIVE and filled with real time power - and move forward, even the more, to your place of victory, one step at a time.
When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place.
- Author Unknown
Bible Passages On Depending on God To Live a Victorious, Overcoming Life
(Unless stated, all verses are NIV)
Deuteronomy 1:21
See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Deuteronomy 20:4
For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."
Psalm 44:6-8
I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Matthew 11:28
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Mark 14:38
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.
Luke 10:19
I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
Luke 22:40
On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation."
Luke 22:46
"Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."
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."
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:35.37
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ....No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Romans 12:21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
1 Corinthians 6:15-20
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh." But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit. Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 2:10-11
If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
2 Corinthians 2:14 (NKJV)
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ.
Galatians 5:16-17
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.
Ephesians 4:22-24
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:26-27
"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
Ephesians 6:10-17
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
1 Timothy 6:9
People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
2 Timothy 4:18
The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 2:18
Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 12:3
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
James 1:12-15
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
James 4:7-8
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
1 Peter 5:8-10
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
1 John 2:12-15
I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children, because you have known the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
1 John 3:8
He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.
1 John 4:4
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
1 John 5:3-5
This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,
for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
Revelation 3:21
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Revelation 12:11
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
Be IN courage.
United with you in strength and victory,
Linda Michelle
Be IN courage by these words - ALIVE and filled with real time power - and move forward, even the more, to your place of victory, one step at a time.
When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place.
- Author Unknown
Bible Passages On Depending on God To Live a Victorious, Overcoming Life
(Unless stated, all verses are NIV)
Deuteronomy 1:21
See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Deuteronomy 20:4
For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."
Psalm 44:6-8
I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Matthew 11:28
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Mark 14:38
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.
Luke 10:19
I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
Luke 22:40
On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation."
Luke 22:46
"Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."
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."
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:35.37
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ....No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Romans 12:21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
1 Corinthians 6:15-20
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh." But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit. Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 2:10-11
If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
2 Corinthians 2:14 (NKJV)
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ.
Galatians 5:16-17
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.
Ephesians 4:22-24
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:26-27
"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
Ephesians 6:10-17
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
1 Timothy 6:9
People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
2 Timothy 4:18
The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 2:18
Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 12:3
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
James 1:12-15
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
James 4:7-8
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
1 Peter 5:8-10
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
1 John 2:12-15
I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children, because you have known the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
1 John 3:8
He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.
1 John 4:4
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
1 John 5:3-5
This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,
for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
Revelation 3:21
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Revelation 12:11
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
Be IN courage.
United with you in strength and victory,
Linda Michelle
Monday, April 12, 2010
Incest Recovery Tele-Class begins 15 April - 3 June
Elegant Doves International Inc.
Incest Recovery Tele-Class
(Women Only)
8 Weeks
April 15 - June 3, 2010
Thursday evenings
8pm - 10pm
via private conference call phone line
Registration required
Confidentiality respected and honored
No cost - donations accepted
Please email "Linda Michelle" @
elegantlin@aol.com to register and obtain more information
"The pain of understanding and healing is far less than the pain of denial and despair".
If there is HOPE in the future, there is POWER in the present.
Be IN courage!!
Please share this notice with those you care about.
Don't Fret
As is always with the precious Holy Spirit's leading in my life, I was led to this great reminder of God's love for us: Our loving Abba Father takes care of His own; He is faithful to keep His promises: His Word has been tried and found to be absolute Truth. SO WHY FRET? BE NOT AFRAID! "... The Holy One of Israel must defend and deliver His own. We may be sure that every word of His will stand, though the mountains should depart...."
Be reminded of this simple truth and Be IN courage, even the more by this timeless devotion.
Streams in the Desert - April 9
April 9
Don't Fret
"Do not begin to be anxious" (Phil. 4:6, PBV).
Not a few Christians live in a state of unbroken anxiety, and others fret and fume terribly. To be perfectly at peace amid the hurly-burly of daily life is a secret worth knowing. What is the use of worrying? It never made anybody strong; never helped anybody to do God's will; never made a way of escape for anyone out of perplexity. Worry spoils lives which would otherwise be useful and beautiful.
Restlessness, anxiety, and care are absolutely forbidden by our Lord, who said: "Take no thought," that is, no anxious thought, "saying what shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or wherewithal shall we be clothed?" He does not mean that we are not to take forethought and that our life is to be without plan or method; but that we are not to worry about these things. People know you live in the realm of anxious care by the lines on your face, the tones of your voice, the minor key in your life, and the lack of joy in your spirit. Scale the heights of a life abandoned to God, then you will look down on the clouds beneath your feet.
--Rev. Darlow Sargeant
It is always weakness to be fretting and worrying, questioning and mistrusting. Can we gain anything by it? Do we not unfit ourselves for action, and unhinge our minds for wise decision? We are sinking by our struggles when we might float by faith.
Oh, for grace to be quiet! Oh, to be still and know that Jehovah is God! The Holy One of Israel must defend and deliver His own. We may be sure that every word of His will stand, though the mountains should depart. He deserves to be confided in. Come, my soul, return unto thy rest, and lean thy head upon the bosom of the Lord Jesus. --Selected
"Peace thy inmost soul shall fill Lying still!"
End Quote
Be IN Courage.
With love,
Linda Michelle
Be reminded of this simple truth and Be IN courage, even the more by this timeless devotion.
Streams in the Desert - April 9
April 9
Don't Fret
"Do not begin to be anxious" (Phil. 4:6, PBV).
Not a few Christians live in a state of unbroken anxiety, and others fret and fume terribly. To be perfectly at peace amid the hurly-burly of daily life is a secret worth knowing. What is the use of worrying? It never made anybody strong; never helped anybody to do God's will; never made a way of escape for anyone out of perplexity. Worry spoils lives which would otherwise be useful and beautiful.
Restlessness, anxiety, and care are absolutely forbidden by our Lord, who said: "Take no thought," that is, no anxious thought, "saying what shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or wherewithal shall we be clothed?" He does not mean that we are not to take forethought and that our life is to be without plan or method; but that we are not to worry about these things. People know you live in the realm of anxious care by the lines on your face, the tones of your voice, the minor key in your life, and the lack of joy in your spirit. Scale the heights of a life abandoned to God, then you will look down on the clouds beneath your feet.
--Rev. Darlow Sargeant
It is always weakness to be fretting and worrying, questioning and mistrusting. Can we gain anything by it? Do we not unfit ourselves for action, and unhinge our minds for wise decision? We are sinking by our struggles when we might float by faith.
Oh, for grace to be quiet! Oh, to be still and know that Jehovah is God! The Holy One of Israel must defend and deliver His own. We may be sure that every word of His will stand, though the mountains should depart. He deserves to be confided in. Come, my soul, return unto thy rest, and lean thy head upon the bosom of the Lord Jesus. --Selected
"Peace thy inmost soul shall fill Lying still!"
End Quote
Be IN Courage.
With love,
Linda Michelle
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Standing on the Promises
I pulled out my original copy of Streams in the Desert devotional by Mrs. Charles Cowman today, and I read a word that truly inspired me. I trust that it will inspire, encourage and motive you to put action in your faith, even the more and stand on the promises of God.
March 24
And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Issac the Lord which saidst unto me Return unto thy county, and to thy kindred and I will deal well with thee; Deliver me, I pray thee (Gen. 32:9,11)
(message translation:)
The Message (MSG)
Genesis 32:9 -12
9-12 And then Jacob prayed, "God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, God who told me, 'Go back to your parents' homeland and I'll treat you well.' I don't deserve all the love and loyalty you've shown me. When I left here and crossed the Jordan I only had the clothes on my back, and now look at me—two camps! Save me, please, from the violence of my brother, my angry brother! I'm afraid he'll come and attack us all, me, the mothers and the children. You yourself said, 'I will treat you well; I'll make your descendants like the sands of the sea, far too many to count.'"
March 24
And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Issac the Lord which saidst unto me Return unto thy county, and to thy kindred and I will deal well with thee; Deliver me, I pray thee (Gen. 32:9,11)
(message translation:)
The Message (MSG)
Genesis 32:9 -12
9-12 And then Jacob prayed, "God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, God who told me, 'Go back to your parents' homeland and I'll treat you well.' I don't deserve all the love and loyalty you've shown me. When I left here and crossed the Jordan I only had the clothes on my back, and now look at me—two camps! Save me, please, from the violence of my brother, my angry brother! I'm afraid he'll come and attack us all, me, the mothers and the children. You yourself said, 'I will treat you well; I'll make your descendants like the sands of the sea, far too many to count.'"
"There are many healthy symptoms in that prayer. In some respects it may serve as a mold into which our own spirits may pour themselves, when melted in the fiery furnace of sorrow.
He began by quoting God's promise: "Thou saidst, " ("You Yourself said"). He did so twice ( verse 9 and 12). Ah, he has got God in his power then! God puts Himself within our reach in His promises; and when we can say to Him, "Thou saidst," ("You Yourself said") He cannot say nay. He must do as He has said. If Herod was so particular for his oath's sake, what will not our God be? Be sure in prayer, to get your feel well on a promise; it will give you purchase enough to force open the gates of heaven, and to take ti by force.
From Practical Portions for the Prayer-life.
Jesus desires that we shall be definite in our requests, and that we shall ask for some special thing. "What will ye that I shall do unto you?" is the question that He asks of every one who in affliction and trail comes to Him. Make your request with definite earnestness if you would have definite answers. Aimlessness in prayer accounts for so many seemingly unanswered prayers. Be definite in your petitions. Fill out your check for something definite, and it will be cashed at the bank of heaven when presented in Jesus name. Dare to be definite with God." (end quote)
For more wisdom along this same line, check out March 23 online devotion from Sparkling Gems in the Greek, called "Refuel with Rick" - Rick Renner, the author of this anointed devotional. In this Pastor Rick shares insight on John 15:7 "If you abide in Me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will and it shall be done for you." Click the link below to access.
http://www.lightsource.com/ministry/refuel-with-rick/20100323/
Bottom line: TRUST. ASK. BELIEVE. Prepare to RECEIVE and OBEY God's direction, to the letter, as you STAND on the promises of His unfailing Word.
Be IN courage.
In Victory,
Linda Michelle
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Focus!
This is truly a word in due season. Focus is an essential key in all that we do, in order to take us to the place that we truly desire - "in the middle of the middle" of God's perfect, ordained will for our lives. Be inspired to action as you renew your understanding on the importance of the incredible power of getting, being and staying in focus, by Dr. Cindy Trimm.
Cindy Trimm: The Incredible Power of Focus
by Cindy Trimm
Mar 14, 2010
And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, "Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever."—Genesis 13:14-15
Cindy Trimm
The number one thing that stops people from getting what they want in life is the lack of focus. The number one thing that keeps people in realizing their goals, maximizing their potential, fulfilling their God-given assignments and purpose is focus. Wherever you place your focus, the rest of your mind, talents, abilities and emotions will follow.
Let me give you an example of what I mean from the world of race car driving. As I understand it, when new drivers are learning how to race, one of the very first things they are taught is—what to focus on when they go into a spin. If they try to avoid hitting the wall, they usually wind up hitting it. Why? Because avoiding the wall means they have to focus on the wall. So, instead, they are taught to focus on—where they want to go. In this way, they have a better chance of avoiding the wall and successfully getting out of the spin.
Let me give you another example. When I was a young girl, I studied ballet. When pirouetting, I was trained to "spot" or focus on a particular place/spot where we needed to end our spin (a pirouette is a 365° spin for non-ballet enthusiasts). In both cases, focus is the key to success. Sometimes our lives can spin out of control, like a race car driver and a ballerina in a pirouette. It is the focus that gets us out.
People who focus on what they want get exactly what they want. People who focus on problems, hurdles, walls and obstacles will go through life with problems, hurdles, walls and obstacles. It's not what's happening to you now or what has happened to you in the past that determines who you become. Rather, it is your focus upon it. It is the meaning and significance that you give to every occurrence that determines its weight and effect upon your life.
Focus on Your Dreams, Goals and Vision
Whatever you focus on today, you give that thing permission to exist tomorrow. Focus on your dreams, goals and vision. Focus on where you want to be, not where you came from. Focus on what you expect to acquire and what you wish to do, and not on what you do not have or what you have not done. Focus on your healing and not your sickness. Focus on your deliverance and not your detrimental situations. Focus on what remains and not what you have lost. Focus on wearing that size 7 skinny jeans and not on how much weight you have gained.
Dream about how different your life can be, then wake up and focus on making it happen so that you can live the life of your dreams. Think about it only enough to formulate a plan and then put feet to that plan and make it happen. Contemplate it long enough so that your faith becomes the driving force of your focus. Talk about it long enough so that you motivate yourself to act.
Focus makes your faith unshakable. Focus eliminates distractions. Focus is quintessential to discipline, which is always the precursor to success and prosperity. If you do not expect to see something in your future, do not focus on it today. Train your mind to focus on the positive, and you will always have positive outcomes.
I want to encourage you with Philippians 4:7-8: And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think (focus) on these things.
Do not allow the enemy to break your focus. Like God said to Abraham, "I say to you, whatever you see, you will seize."
Dr. Cindy Trimm
Cindy Trimm International
Email: info@cindytrimm.com
Cindy Trimm's Itinerary:
Note: Events are subject to change at the ministry's discretion.
We suggest you always check first with the event contact listed here and/or directly visit their Website for latest updates on each event.
March 29-April 3, 2010
Kingdom University Atlanta
School of Ministry, Accelerated Module
Renaissance Atlanta Downtown Hotel
590 W. Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30308
Contact: 678-565-9888
April 19-24, 2010
Kingdom University New England/Northeast
School of Ministry, Accelerated Module
St. Johns Full Gospel Deliverance Church
27 Brown Street, Bloomfield, CT 06002
Contact: 678-565-9888
May 28-30, 2010
World Summit 2010: Leadership and Prayer
Milwaukee Theatre Center
500 W. Kilbourn Avenue; Milwaukee, WI 53203
Contact: 678-565-9888
(Thank you ElijahList for permission to post this here on our website!)
Permission is granted (and you are also encouraged) to reprint these articles in hard copy form, as well as sending them to your own email lists and posting them on your own websites. We ask only that you keep ElijahList website, email contact info, and author contact information intact.
ElijahList Publications
310 2nd Ave SE, Albany, OR 97321
www.elijahlist.com email: info@elijahlist.net
Phone 1-541-926-3250
Cindy Trimm: The Incredible Power of Focus
by Cindy Trimm
Mar 14, 2010
And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, "Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever."—Genesis 13:14-15
Cindy Trimm
The number one thing that stops people from getting what they want in life is the lack of focus. The number one thing that keeps people in realizing their goals, maximizing their potential, fulfilling their God-given assignments and purpose is focus. Wherever you place your focus, the rest of your mind, talents, abilities and emotions will follow.
Let me give you an example of what I mean from the world of race car driving. As I understand it, when new drivers are learning how to race, one of the very first things they are taught is—what to focus on when they go into a spin. If they try to avoid hitting the wall, they usually wind up hitting it. Why? Because avoiding the wall means they have to focus on the wall. So, instead, they are taught to focus on—where they want to go. In this way, they have a better chance of avoiding the wall and successfully getting out of the spin.
Let me give you another example. When I was a young girl, I studied ballet. When pirouetting, I was trained to "spot" or focus on a particular place/spot where we needed to end our spin (a pirouette is a 365° spin for non-ballet enthusiasts). In both cases, focus is the key to success. Sometimes our lives can spin out of control, like a race car driver and a ballerina in a pirouette. It is the focus that gets us out.
People who focus on what they want get exactly what they want. People who focus on problems, hurdles, walls and obstacles will go through life with problems, hurdles, walls and obstacles. It's not what's happening to you now or what has happened to you in the past that determines who you become. Rather, it is your focus upon it. It is the meaning and significance that you give to every occurrence that determines its weight and effect upon your life.
Focus on Your Dreams, Goals and Vision
Whatever you focus on today, you give that thing permission to exist tomorrow. Focus on your dreams, goals and vision. Focus on where you want to be, not where you came from. Focus on what you expect to acquire and what you wish to do, and not on what you do not have or what you have not done. Focus on your healing and not your sickness. Focus on your deliverance and not your detrimental situations. Focus on what remains and not what you have lost. Focus on wearing that size 7 skinny jeans and not on how much weight you have gained.
Dream about how different your life can be, then wake up and focus on making it happen so that you can live the life of your dreams. Think about it only enough to formulate a plan and then put feet to that plan and make it happen. Contemplate it long enough so that your faith becomes the driving force of your focus. Talk about it long enough so that you motivate yourself to act.
Focus makes your faith unshakable. Focus eliminates distractions. Focus is quintessential to discipline, which is always the precursor to success and prosperity. If you do not expect to see something in your future, do not focus on it today. Train your mind to focus on the positive, and you will always have positive outcomes.
I want to encourage you with Philippians 4:7-8: And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think (focus) on these things.
Do not allow the enemy to break your focus. Like God said to Abraham, "I say to you, whatever you see, you will seize."
Dr. Cindy Trimm
Cindy Trimm International
Email: info@cindytrimm.com
Cindy Trimm's Itinerary:
Note: Events are subject to change at the ministry's discretion.
We suggest you always check first with the event contact listed here and/or directly visit their Website for latest updates on each event.
March 29-April 3, 2010
Kingdom University Atlanta
School of Ministry, Accelerated Module
Renaissance Atlanta Downtown Hotel
590 W. Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30308
Contact: 678-565-9888
April 19-24, 2010
Kingdom University New England/Northeast
School of Ministry, Accelerated Module
St. Johns Full Gospel Deliverance Church
27 Brown Street, Bloomfield, CT 06002
Contact: 678-565-9888
May 28-30, 2010
World Summit 2010: Leadership and Prayer
Milwaukee Theatre Center
500 W. Kilbourn Avenue; Milwaukee, WI 53203
Contact: 678-565-9888
(Thank you ElijahList for permission to post this here on our website!)
Permission is granted (and you are also encouraged) to reprint these articles in hard copy form, as well as sending them to your own email lists and posting them on your own websites. We ask only that you keep ElijahList website, email contact info, and author contact information intact.
ElijahList Publications
310 2nd Ave SE, Albany, OR 97321
www.elijahlist.com email: info@elijahlist.net
Phone 1-541-926-3250
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Hang in there and Don't give up!
This is my encouragement to you today. I was blessed to hear this via "Refuel with Rick" and his anointed devotion "Sparkling Gems from the Greek". This is the inspiration that touched me and I am led to remind you of today: "...You may feel like your world is breaking around you. But you have Someone in you that is tougher than the battle! And the Holy Spirit wants to release endurance to you. Endurance will carry you past this trial and endurance will carry you into the victory that you need. It's just over the hill - you'll get there. James 1:4 could be interpreted:
"But let patience have her perfect work - I'm talking about the kind of attitude that hangs in there, never giving up, refusing to surrender to obstacles and turning down every opportunity to quit..." That is what you need... the queen of all virtues - "patience" (endurance). If you have this it's not a question of IF you're going to win, it's a question of WHEN you're going to win, because the victory is yours!...."
Check the entire devotion out on line: http://www.lightsource.com/ministry/refuel-with-rick/
and read today's (10 March 2010) word of encouragement in full and Be IN Courage!
Remember.. Hang in there and DO NOT QUIT.. Victory is yours for the receiving! Take it one step at a time and you will arrive.
" I cried out to the Lord because of my afflication, and He answered me."
"When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; And my prayer went up to You, into Your Holy temple" (Jonah 2:2, 7)
With love and joy,
Linda Michelle
"But let patience have her perfect work - I'm talking about the kind of attitude that hangs in there, never giving up, refusing to surrender to obstacles and turning down every opportunity to quit..." That is what you need... the queen of all virtues - "patience" (endurance). If you have this it's not a question of IF you're going to win, it's a question of WHEN you're going to win, because the victory is yours!...."
Check the entire devotion out on line: http://www.lightsource.com/ministry/refuel-with-rick/
and read today's (10 March 2010) word of encouragement in full and Be IN Courage!
Remember.. Hang in there and DO NOT QUIT.. Victory is yours for the receiving! Take it one step at a time and you will arrive.
" I cried out to the Lord because of my afflication, and He answered me."
"When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; And my prayer went up to You, into Your Holy temple" (Jonah 2:2, 7)
With love and joy,
Linda Michelle
Friday, March 5, 2010
"When things go wrong, don't go wrong with them!"
My good friend and motivational brother Mike Howard just shared those words with me via his one minute motivational audio segment www.audioacrobat.com/note/CmdnM2Ts/ . One minute was all it took to stir my focus back to an assignment that I have been working on for what seems like many, many months. The reward of me completing this assignment will set the foundation for a flood of great things being released, for me and for those I am privileged to serve.
One minute was all it took for me to be reminded that I must continue to press through if I am to see the fruit of my labor. One minute is all it took for me to feel the refreshing winds of hope anew within my spirit, sparked by simple truth. One minute.
One minute is all it takes to begin to walk foward from the place of frustration, through faith, to that place of hope in front of you.
One minute is all it takes to make a decision to "let go and let really God - once and for all - take your cares and perfect them; beginning to list them out to Him and casting your care - but not your responsibility to them. One minute is all it takes to be reminded that God has His part and you and I have our part. And God is not going to "cheat" on doing His and we would be only "cheating" ourself if we neglect to do ours.
One minute is all it takes to sit still and really hear what God (that still small voice deep inside, resounding loud and perfectly clear) speak to you the direction and instruction you have desparately sought Him for.
One minute is all it takes for you to make a quality decision and begin to implement it.
One minute is all it takes for you to stop, breath deeply and feel the blood flowing through your body, reminding you that you are still in the "game" and you still have an opportunity to win.
One minute is all it takes to decide to pick up the phone and make that overdue call to that friend or loved one you know would be blessed and encouraged just to hear your voice - if even for a few minutes.
One minute is all it takes to remember that the funeral for that other loved one prevents you from calling them, even through you would give almost anything to hear their voice just one more time - if even for a few minutes.
One minute is all it takes to recall the fact that you were indeed created for a purpose and have been gifted with talents and unique abilities that can change the course of destiny for someone, somewhere, if even by adding a smile to their face, which will remind them that there is hope.
One minute is all it takes to give thanks for the life flowing through you right now and for the opportunity to "begin again" with hope, in faith.
"When things go wrong, don't go wrong with them." Go forward, fulfilling the divine plan for your life.
"Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;
For the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught"
"Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.
Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you.
Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you.
Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.
Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil."
(Proverbs 3:25-26, 4:23-27)
Be IN Courage!
With love and joy,
Linda Michelle
One minute was all it took for me to be reminded that I must continue to press through if I am to see the fruit of my labor. One minute is all it took for me to feel the refreshing winds of hope anew within my spirit, sparked by simple truth. One minute.
One minute is all it takes to begin to walk foward from the place of frustration, through faith, to that place of hope in front of you.
One minute is all it takes to make a decision to "let go and let really God - once and for all - take your cares and perfect them; beginning to list them out to Him and casting your care - but not your responsibility to them. One minute is all it takes to be reminded that God has His part and you and I have our part. And God is not going to "cheat" on doing His and we would be only "cheating" ourself if we neglect to do ours.
One minute is all it takes to sit still and really hear what God (that still small voice deep inside, resounding loud and perfectly clear) speak to you the direction and instruction you have desparately sought Him for.
One minute is all it takes for you to make a quality decision and begin to implement it.
One minute is all it takes for you to stop, breath deeply and feel the blood flowing through your body, reminding you that you are still in the "game" and you still have an opportunity to win.
One minute is all it takes to decide to pick up the phone and make that overdue call to that friend or loved one you know would be blessed and encouraged just to hear your voice - if even for a few minutes.
One minute is all it takes to remember that the funeral for that other loved one prevents you from calling them, even through you would give almost anything to hear their voice just one more time - if even for a few minutes.
One minute is all it takes to recall the fact that you were indeed created for a purpose and have been gifted with talents and unique abilities that can change the course of destiny for someone, somewhere, if even by adding a smile to their face, which will remind them that there is hope.
One minute is all it takes to give thanks for the life flowing through you right now and for the opportunity to "begin again" with hope, in faith.
"When things go wrong, don't go wrong with them." Go forward, fulfilling the divine plan for your life.
"Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;
For the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught"
"Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.
Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you.
Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you.
Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.
Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil."
(Proverbs 3:25-26, 4:23-27)
Be IN Courage!
With love and joy,
Linda Michelle
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Why Am I Not Trusting God?
That is a question that came up in conversation today where another sister said to me, "...and since I know who God is why am I not trusting God?
That is the question of the hour?
If you believe God is WHO He says He is and can DO what He says He can do- why do you worry??; fret??; get scared??; get depressed??; get mad??; try to get even??
If we just beleive and receive the promises we believe, than we will have what we believe.
Just believe and act on what you beleive.
Proverbs 3:5-8 (The Message)
5-12 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track.
Don't assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
your wine vats will brim over.
But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline;
don't sulk under his loving correction.
It's the child he loves that God corrects;
a father's delight is behind all this.
Psalm 46:1 (The Message)
Psalm 46
1-3 God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him.
We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom,
courageous in seastorm and earthquake,
Before the rush and roar of oceans,
the tremors that shift mountains.
Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.
Psalm 23 (The Message)
Psalm 23
1-3 God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
4 Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I'm not afraid
when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd's crook
makes me feel secure.
5 You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.
6 Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
I'm back home in the house of God
for the rest of my life.
Be IN Courage!
With love,
Linda Michelle
That is the question of the hour?
If you believe God is WHO He says He is and can DO what He says He can do- why do you worry??; fret??; get scared??; get depressed??; get mad??; try to get even??
If we just beleive and receive the promises we believe, than we will have what we believe.
Just believe and act on what you beleive.
Proverbs 3:5-8 (The Message)
5-12 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track.
Don't assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
your wine vats will brim over.
But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline;
don't sulk under his loving correction.
It's the child he loves that God corrects;
a father's delight is behind all this.
Psalm 46:1 (The Message)
Psalm 46
1-3 God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him.
We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom,
courageous in seastorm and earthquake,
Before the rush and roar of oceans,
the tremors that shift mountains.
Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.
Psalm 23 (The Message)
Psalm 23
1-3 God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
4 Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I'm not afraid
when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd's crook
makes me feel secure.
5 You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.
6 Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
I'm back home in the house of God
for the rest of my life.
Be IN Courage!
With love,
Linda Michelle
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Peace Be Still.
This is a word of encouragement from the archives of our Weekly Word of Encouragement. I trust it will inspire you through to personal victory, even now, for whatever task or circumstance you face.
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee."
(Isaiah 26:3)
"If your mind is filled with defeat thoughts, fear thoughts, resentment thoughts, you are bound to be in a state of mental unrest, even turmoil, and of course there can be no inner peace. This passage advises you to practice thinking about God, to keep your mind "stayed" or fixed, not upon your troubles but upon God. Keep your mind on God for as many minutes during the day as possible. This may be difficult at first for you are unused to spiritual concentration. Practice will make it easier." (End quote)
(Norman Vincent Peale - Thought Conditioners)
"God is our Refuge and Strength (mighty and impenetrable to temptation), a very present and well-proved help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains be shaken into the midst of the seas. Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling and tumult. Selah (pause, and calmly think about that)! There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God will help her right early (at the dawn of the morning). The Lord of host is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge (our Fortress and High Tower). Selah (pause, and calmly think of that)! Psalms 46:1-5, 7 (amplified)
God will not fail you.
Put your mouth in agreement with what God's Word says.
Be In Courage.
United with you in victory and strength,
Linda Michelle
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Refresh Your "Press" !
In thinking about the progress I have made (and the lack thereof) thus far on a project I'm working on, this thought came to me: Refresh your "press". I have been "pressing in", giving it my all , to stay focused and complete the tasks at hand and although I am making progress, I feel I should be a lot further ahead.
I had been experiencing more tiredness than usual and the amount of distractions and spiritual attacks have seem to increase on every side. Since quiting is not an option for me, I have prayed and cried out to God to show me what it is I am to do:
Refresh your press!
Just as with the computer, we press the refresh button to "begin anew" with what ever it is we are working on, we are to do the same regarding our mind, body and soul: REFRESH. To refresh here means to; "make cool, clean, or to dump": "To become revived; reinvigorate".
Let me encourage you to take time to "refresh" yourself; take a look at your schedule and see if you have added in time for fun. Make sure you have added proper time to "sleep" and stick to the schedule. Without a clear, functioning mind, the work you do will not be your best effort, causing re-writes and unnecessary "do-overs".
Simply think about the traffic light and apply the same principles to help you refresh:
RED = STOP and eat, have some balanced,"timed" fun, and sleep.
YELLOW = Slow Down and concentrate on one thing at a time. Focus your attention on what you are working on and stay calm, doing your very best and leaving the rest until the next appointed time. DUMP THE GUILT! Instead of beating yourself up for not having completed "that" or not having done it "this way", ask God to show you what you are to take away from the situation. Ask how you are to apply it to your life (your God-given purpose).
GREEN= GO! Keep moving forward. After your allotted time of rest and balanced fun get back into motion and keep flowing. Write out and review your time schedule and set your sail to stay on course until it is time to "dock" for the evening.
To press in, exerting steady weight or force against; to bear down; to apply steady force, is a good and necessary thing, in the appointed time and in the right manner.
Provers 24:5 tells us "A wise man is strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength". The Message translation breaks it down in this way:
"It's better to be wise than strong; intelligence outranks muscle any day.
Strategic planning is the key to warfare; to win, you need a lot of good counsel."
Take this counsel today and take time to "refresh your press".
Be IN courage and go onward to your destiny!!
United with you in strength and victory,
Linda Michelle
I had been experiencing more tiredness than usual and the amount of distractions and spiritual attacks have seem to increase on every side. Since quiting is not an option for me, I have prayed and cried out to God to show me what it is I am to do:
Refresh your press!
Just as with the computer, we press the refresh button to "begin anew" with what ever it is we are working on, we are to do the same regarding our mind, body and soul: REFRESH. To refresh here means to; "make cool, clean, or to dump": "To become revived; reinvigorate".
Let me encourage you to take time to "refresh" yourself; take a look at your schedule and see if you have added in time for fun. Make sure you have added proper time to "sleep" and stick to the schedule. Without a clear, functioning mind, the work you do will not be your best effort, causing re-writes and unnecessary "do-overs".
Simply think about the traffic light and apply the same principles to help you refresh:
RED = STOP and eat, have some balanced,"timed" fun, and sleep.
YELLOW = Slow Down and concentrate on one thing at a time. Focus your attention on what you are working on and stay calm, doing your very best and leaving the rest until the next appointed time. DUMP THE GUILT! Instead of beating yourself up for not having completed "that" or not having done it "this way", ask God to show you what you are to take away from the situation. Ask how you are to apply it to your life (your God-given purpose).
GREEN= GO! Keep moving forward. After your allotted time of rest and balanced fun get back into motion and keep flowing. Write out and review your time schedule and set your sail to stay on course until it is time to "dock" for the evening.
To press in, exerting steady weight or force against; to bear down; to apply steady force, is a good and necessary thing, in the appointed time and in the right manner.
Provers 24:5 tells us "A wise man is strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength". The Message translation breaks it down in this way:
"It's better to be wise than strong; intelligence outranks muscle any day.
Strategic planning is the key to warfare; to win, you need a lot of good counsel."
Take this counsel today and take time to "refresh your press".
Be IN courage and go onward to your destiny!!
United with you in strength and victory,
Linda Michelle
Monday, January 4, 2010
Words of Wisdom To Begin 2010
Take this to heart and apply daily to your mind and your actions,
so that in 2010 you will definitely win!!
Proverbs 3:5-12 (The Message)
5-12 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track.
Don't assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
your wine vats will brim over.
But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline;
don't sulk under his loving correction.
It's the child he loves that God corrects;
a father's delight is behind all this.
Be IN Courage!
Linda Michelle
so that in 2010 you will definitely win!!
Proverbs 3:5-12 (The Message)
5-12 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track.
Don't assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
your wine vats will brim over.
But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline;
don't sulk under his loving correction.
It's the child he loves that God corrects;
a father's delight is behind all this.
Be IN Courage!
Linda Michelle
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