WEEK 4 - BE STILL!!

 

PSALMS 46:10 NIV – HE SAYS, “BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD; I WILL BE EXALTED AMONG THE NATIONS, I WILL BE EXALTED IN THE EARTH.”

EXODUS 14:14 NIV – THE LORD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU; YOU NEED ONLY TO BE STILL

 

I have never been one to just be still regardless of what I am doing. Even in church, I have the whole leg shaking thing going on. I am moving constantly, even when sitting down or reclining. They call it restless leg syndrome. I call it an aggravation!

Then there are those times, that I feel a huge desire just to sit with my eyes closed & just breathe. No agenda, no thoughts, no sounds except my breath. This does not happen often but when it does, it is one of the most relaxing, calming moments ever. It actually causes things to be put into perspective all of a sudden.

That is God’s desire for us is to just BE STILL. Just to stop the mad rush of the daily routine & just be still. There are times when you can think of God’s goodness & love for you. There are other times that you can simply just not think, just be still. To be this still is meditation on a totally different level.

For instance, today, I started the day in a very sad somber mood. About middle of the day, I was mentally overwhelmed, so I just stopped, closed my eyes, & for several minutes did nothing but breathe very deeply. I did not have an agenda to think on God or His word or anything along those lines, but as soon as I stopped & was just still for several minutes, He started speaking to my heart. Reassured me of several things that I needed to hear. He was just waiting for me to simply BE STILL.

We are so busy in our day to day rituals that we forget to allow HIM to speak. He cannot do what He needs to do in our lives until we learn to stop, let go & let Him do it!  

So often, I hear people say (I have said this myself many times), I just don’t hear God right now. I am not sure why He is not speaking to me in this situation. My question is, have you taken time to stop & LET Him speak? There are times when He is truly silent but a lot of times it is simply because we are too busy that we do not allow Him to work in our lives. 

Take that time today to just BE STILL. You will be so surprised as to how much better you will feel.

Also, you just might hear God whisper something you really have been longing to hear.

WEEK 3 - KNOW WHO YOUR REAL ENEMY IS

Ephesians 6:12 NKJV - For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places 

2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV - Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

John 8:44 NIV …the devil...He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

 

Typically, women are known for being the more sensitive & emotional gender. I also know that some of us tend to get a bit more riled up than others (I might be referring to myself here). We were created this way for a purpose. 

It all goes back to the story of Eve in the garden. Why did the serpent (the devil) decide to pick on her instead of Adam? Women were created to be life givers & nurturers. The devil knew God's plan for women, so he decided to strike where it all starts. Life represents creation, creation is from the Creator. The devil has been trying to destroy that from day one.

So instead of a talking snake, today we get mental, physical, emotional & spiritual attacks. Whether it is anxiety attacks, financial stress, marital issues, sickness or feeling distanced from God, we struggle on a daily basis. Sometimes we go through seasons that are a bit easier than others, but don't worry a new one will roll around eventually. It is just a part of being human. 

What the devil wants more than anything is for you to be distracted & not realize where the battle is really located. It is in your mind & he is the reason. The nights that you lie awake wondering why this or why that, or with thoughts of guilt or disgust at yourself for one reason or the other. Those are all lies of the enemy, the devil. 

So even though sister so and so upset you by what she said, the real culprit here is the devil. He wishes nothing but to take your joy in life, so you are depressed & oppressed. 

We must realize that our enemy is not flesh & blood, not sister so and so at church, not your neighbor with the perfect life & kids, not your boss at work or the coworker that you struggle with every day. 

When these attacks come at us, we must recognize them for what they are & pray for God's strength & cast down those thoughts. We must not become a victim to the devil's lies. 

God called us for a higher purpose, whether you have kids or not, you are a life giver & a nurturer. Whether it is your own kids or just a friend, you can speak life into someone today. We can help encourage that sister in God that just had her world come crashing down. We can speak life to our husband as he is on his way out the door to work. 

Refuse to accept the lies of the enemy & decide to give life instead. 

WEEK 2 - POSITIVE BIBLICAL AFFIRMATIONS

 Over the last year or so God has been changing my mindset in how I see myself. I am definitely not where I need to be but I have come a long way. 

This transformation has come in a couple of different ways. First, I have made time to actually stop, be still & actually listen to see what my Heavenly Father has to say. I was totally blown away at the wonderful things he had to say to me, about me. I literally sat & cried one day when I realized that all of the lies that the enemy had been speaking to me all of the years, were not true, and that it was ok to have a more positive outlook on myself. Second, I searched God's word for His truth about me.

The following scriptures is what God laid on my heart & since then I have been passing them on to other women. 

In a world surrounded by negative, we desperately need to take time for positive affirmations. Not just any affirmations but biblical, straight from the heart of our Father.

Please take time, as consistently as possible, to recite these to yourself. I promise you, you will see and feel a difference.

 

1)      I have the mind of Christ – 1 Corinthians 2:16 NIV – for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” but we have the mind of Christ

2)      I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus – 2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV – For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him

3)      I am blessed & surrounded by favor – Psalm 5:12 AMP – For you, O Lord, bless the righteous man [the one how is in right standing with you]; You surround him with favor as with a shield

4)      I am surrounded by the Lord – Psalm 125:2 NIV – As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people both now & forevermore

5)      God always sees me, He never forgets me – Isaiah 49:15-16 NIV – Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of m hands; your walls are ever before me.

6)      God will never leave me or forsake me – Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV – The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged

7)      God is my hiding place & surrounds me with deliverance – Psalms 32:7 AMP  – You are my hiding place; You, Lord, protect me from trouble; You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance

8)      God holds me up – Psalm 63:8 AMP – My soul [my life, my very self] clings to you; Your right hand upholds me

9)      God loves me – John 3:16 NIV – For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life

10     God calls me more than a conqueror – Romans 8:37 NKJV – Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us

11   I have peace in my heart & mind – Philippians 4:7 ESV – And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus

12   He will meet ALL of my needs – Philippians 4:19 AMP – And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus

13   God protects me in all things – Psalm 91:1-16 – the entire chapter!

14   No weapon formed against me will prosper – Isaiah 54:17 NIV – “No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord

15   God has good things in store for me – Jeremiah 29:11 NIV – For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope & a future.”

16  God is able to do more than I can imagine – Ephesians 3:20 AMP – Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us

17  God hears me when I cry – Psalm 40:1 NLT – I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry

18   I can do this!!! – Philippians 4:13 NKJV – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

19   Impossible is not an option – Matthew 19:26 NIV – Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

20   God will strengthen me while I wait on Him – Isaiah 40:31 KJV – But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF

My name is Tess Sanford. I am 49 and live with my husband in Jonesborough, TN. We have been married for 31 years. 

I am new to the blogging world, like just this week new!

God gave me a desire to help women quite a few years ago. Although, I have not had a formal position in a church or organization somewhere, I have been counseling & praying with women from all walks of life for years. 

God directed me a few months ago to start a devotional & just got the idea this week to start blogging each week.

This is devotional is directed to women of all ages & backgrounds. 

So, no matter what stage of life you are in or what your current circumstances are, I truly believe this weekly devotional will minister to you.

Let me know if you have any questions, comments or need prayer.

I am here to help!!

WEEK 1 - HE SEES YOU!!

ISAIAH 49:16 – See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. 

This scripture has always marveled me. When I read it, I think of the many people that I have seen in my lifetime with tattoos. Sometimes, it’s a figure of some sort, others will be creature, animal etc. or others will be someone’s name. It is obviously a name of someone very dear to them, more than likely someone who has passed away. Someone they loved very much that they will not get to see ever again in this lifetime. 

If you have that same thought process when reading this scripture, you are indeed coming up short. What I mean is that God’s intention in this statement is not to tell us that He is fond of us. He is telling us that HE SEES US! Always, all the time, every day, in every situation, the good, the bad, the ugly, HE SEES YOU! 

There is nothing that He sees that will take Him by surprise. Nothing that will shock Him or shame him or cause Him to see you as you see yourself. We will always come up short in our own eyes. That will never change, we are human. When God sees us, He sees the blood of His Son covering us. He sees his beautiful daughter that makes Him smile & that He loves more that we could ever imagine. He sees what you call physical imperfections, He sees your faults, He sees your impatience, lost temper, failed marriage, failed friendships, lost job etc. He also sees the good things we do that no one even notices or knows about. Those things that you don’t want anyone to recognize you for because you just want to remain in the background. Those good things you didn’t have to do but went above and beyond as you always do. Those things that you think still do not make you good enough. He sees your yesterdays, todays & tomorrows. He sees you through & through. 

HE SEES IT ALL!! 

And yet He still wanted to engrave you on the palm of His hand. He still sees you through the eyes of the utmost love, unconditional love, never ending love. 

There is nothing that you, the world or the enemy can do to change that! 

That is one tattoo that will never fade, wrinkle or be removed, EVER!!