Hello my friends

The title of today’s episode is: “His mercy is new”

Some of us, like myself, have been Christians for many years. I will be the first to tell you that during my journey, I have fallen down a few times. I have sinned and begged for forgiveness. I have been unkind and spiteful and had to turn around and repent.

It is not a shame to be human and fall. It is, however, a shame to stay down. Many of us have the problem of forgiving ourselves and moving on. Once we have learned how to forgive and move on, then the healing can be completed. God has already forgiven us and we are still wallowing in self-loathing.  I am not saying we should not feel bad about sinning. I am talking about asking for forgiveness, then six months later, we are still regretting and beating ourselves up.

Breaking that cycle takes understanding and prayer. Understanding that God has forgiven us, then who are we to continue the punishment.  This is just a trick of the enemy to keep us tied up in knots.  If we are worried about the past, we cannot be effective in the present, where God is wanting to use us. Forgive yourself and let it go.

Now that we have a new start, what do we do with it? I suggest praying for God to give us direction.  He created us all for a purpose; we often fall down when we are running from that purpose. I was called to teach and would do it in small ways. Maybe fill in for a lesson or two in Sunday school. Once, I actually spoke at a women’s conference. I remember when it was over, feeling like I was doing exactly what I should be doing. It also scared me, and I ran.

God is now giving me another chance to do what he made me to do.  People’s opinions really swayed me; now I pray for God’s opinion to be the only one I hear. His opinion is the only one that truly matters in the end. God is getting ready to do great things in our country and around this world.  We are going through labor pains right now because God is trying to birth something new in each of us.

What does God want you to do?  What is he wanting to bring forth in you? You were made for a purpose. Many are afraid; I understand that fear.  The enemy sits on your shoulder and whispers, who do you think you are doing this thing? What qualifies you to be a teacher, minister of song, a preacher or a prophet, a prayer warrior? As long as God calls you to the job, he will see you through it.  He qualifies those he calls. He does not use perfect people; he uses flawed people. If we were able to do things in our own strength, we would not need God.

If you choose to watch my channel and look for the fault, you will find it. But if you listen with your spiritual ears, God may use it to strengthen you. We are not the sum of our failures or successes but the sum of our moments that we fully TRUST IN HIM. He will never abandon us, but we often are like Peter we deny him.

Now is not the time to be denying Christ and his will. Now is the time to stand strong and lean on him. Let the weak say I am strong. In Christ, I can do all things. It is scary to step out in faith. But we will never reach our potential if we do not take the chance and step out in faith.  Peter stepped out of the boat and he walked on water for a moment. Many say yes but he sank. In other words, he fell.  But he had the experience of Jesus lifting him up when he fell. 

The others in the boat did not get that same lesson. They had to learn of God’s faithfulness in other ways. Never criticize someone else for their sinking, at least they are trying to walk on the water with Jesus. It is time to get out of the safety of the boat and live life out loud. Taking a walk with Jesus. This is our time to shine our light.  The world needs now more than ever for us to be the light we were called to be.

As I watch people struggle through all sorts of things in this life, I am reminded that life is not something that wraps up neatly with a bow. Life is messy, and it is painful. Anyone who paints it as a pretty picture of unicorns and rainbows is trying to sell something.

But life is still a blessing from God. Even though we go through times of struggle and pain, there are lessons to be learned every day.  Even when we do not see it or feel it, God is with us and his mercies are new every day.

We have been given a great gift that we often take for granted. The gift of salvation. It is the ultimate new beginning. But each day we are given a new opportunity to begin again. Every morning is a blank slate. What are we going to do with the 24 hours in front of us? Will we pray for his direction and instruction? Will we rush ahead, doing our own will?

Lam 3:22  It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

Lam 3:23  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Lam 3:24  The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

Lam 3:25  The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

Our hope is in the Lord. Without Him, we can do nothing, but with Him, we can do all things.

We all have “go to” verses that we cling to in times of need.  One of mine is:

2Cor. 5:7  (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

When we are standing on the edge of a new beginning, what is facing us may seem scary. Many things could cause us to fear, if we walk in that fear, we will never reach our destiny. This is why it is important to have faith and walk in what we know to be true.  God is faithful and will help us to do the tasks he has asked of us, if we TRUST and walk by faith.

Fear is from the enemy; it is one of Satan’s most used tools.  The Bible is full of verses that tell us to not fear.

Perfect love casts out fear.  God is love. Therefore, it is easy to conclude if we have God, we have no reason to fear.  So be bold, step out of the boat, and walk on the water. Jesus is right there to help you stay afloat.   Think about what God created you to do, then go do it. 

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Thanks for spending a little time with me.

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS