Just DO It!!

Do everything without complaining or arguing.  Philippians 2:14

Have you ever just had that project or task that you are just dreading?  Dreading is defined as anticipation with great apprehension or fear. I've had a couple of those on my plate lately... things that weren't horrible but just things I had built up in my mind.  They hadn't started off as HUGE projects but I let my mind build them up to be by more than they were. I think thats why its so important to grab hold of the following scripture and let it take root in our hearts, to the point of changing our lives.  

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.  1 Corinthians 10:5


Think of your own situation, how often have you found that once you actually just bite the bullet and deal with something it completely looses its power.  The same mountain you had wasted so much time and mental energy on suddenly seems so small when you are on the other side of it.  That is how God saw it all along.  If we took His perspective more often we would be more quick to tackle those 'mountains'.
This also applies to spiritual things.  Has God ever showed or told you to do something?  Something that may initially excite you, but the more you 'think' about it the more it becomes unreachable.  God always wants us to 'need' Him and be aware of our need for Him. So often He asks us to do things that my seem beyond our abilities, or what WE think our abilities are.  We have to remind ourselves of all that we are able to do when the God of the universe is on our side and has instructed us to do something. 



I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.  Philippians 4:13

I was correcting one of my children today and they kept wanting to 'explain' to me why they disobeyed.  I had given a very direct and clear instruction and He (who was unaware of the WHOLE picture) ended up THINKING his was out of obeying.  The devil has learned no new tricks.  Just like he did with Eve in the garden. He is still using the same tricks, when will we, as Christians, start to OBEY.  I told my child today, I didn't ask you to THINK, I asked you to OBEY. 

Sometimes we need just buckle down and face those things God has told us to do.  This applies to even practical things!  There may be some things in your life right now that need to be dealt with.  They are within your realm of responsibility and of what God has you overseeing right now.  

I just want to encourage you to FACE those things.  Tell your mind to shut up, rest in God and His promises and do what He has called you to do.  Don't be 'talked' out of it in your mind.  If its your checkbook that needs to be done do it, if its your lesson plans for the school year do it, if its that dream that God has placed in your heart start taking steps to accomplish it, or that room that needs you to bring order to.  God will NEVER ask us to do something we are not equipped through Him to accomplish. If we changed the way we thought about the situation, the situation would come into perspective.  So often, the situation that started off as an ant hill that I transformed into a mountain really was not that bad when I just faced it!

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 on these things. Philippians 4:8

So as you go through your week remember that you are not alone!  You can accomplish ALL that He has asked of you and you can do it with JOY. Whatever situation financial, physical, emotional, or parenting situation know that you are more than equipped for every good work!

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deut. 31:6


Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shephard of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.  Hebrews 13:20-21

BuRn OuT - UNNECESSARY

Matthew 11:28-30

The Message (MSG)

^28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

I would be lying if I told you that every day has been amazing lately.  I've honestly been just 'feeling' beat up by life.  There have been some changes to our schedule and responsibilities and it required different things of me. Although the changes are great and part of God's plan for our life I've been carrying them in my own strength. God never asked that of me. And honestly parenting has just been taking a lot out of me. 

So often I have found that when I begin to feel burned out (and I'm doing what God said to) its because I have taken my focus off of Him.  Why we would ever take our focus off of God and onto all the STUFF I don't understand, but at times it seems like an easy place to fall into.  Maybe its because the circumstances are often in our face screaming and God isn't like that, but whatever the reason I have to purpose my heart on Him.  It's a constant effort at first, but eventually it becomes like second nature to us. 

Matthew 11: 28-29 Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls" 

He has all that we need for anything we are going to face EVER!  So I encourage you to stay focused on Him and rest in His promises.  Its like when you watch a movie and as the story unfolds you find yourself getting concerned.  'Will this person make it?', 'will they end up together?', or 'how are they going to get themselves out of this one?'; the questions can race through our minds and often even affect us physically. Have you ever watched a movie like that and then watched it again with someone who has never seen it?  Isn't it so much easier to sit through the movie with them and remain calm, because you KNOW the ending.  You are completely confident that its all going to work out.  God knows the end from the beginning!!!

Isaiah 46:10 I make know the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'

The great news is that God has shared the ending with us.  His word reveals all that we need for life and godliness.  So if you feel anxious about a situation look in His word to see what it says your outcome will be.  Find a promise and stand and when you've done all keep standing.  

Ephesians 6:13 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. 

I think sometimes as a society we are too quick to give up. How would our world be different if Jesus had given up?  What if he got through the beatings, got through being nailed to the cross and then just decided I have obeyed close enough. So many times our 'breakthrough' or 'deliverance' is right around the corner and we just stop. We stop being consistent with our kids because it doesn't seem like its working, we give up on our diet because the results are not fast enough.  We stop because be are not confident in His promise. Keep reviewing the promise till it becomes more real than the situation. That is not denial, its acknowledging that God knows better and that He and His Word are always right.
Think back to the movie, how many times are there twists and turns and it just looks like its not going to work. A perfect show for twist and turns is 24, I always think Jack is going to die!  And I can get way to interested in that show; Ry and I will be watching it and I just keep thinking He's not going to make it this situation is just too bad. Thankfully, I have Ry with me and he always reminds me 'Faythe, there is another season; Jack can't die!'.    

Enjoy your week!  And remember when you start to feel the pressures of this world either in regards to parenting or finances or whatever, JUST STOP and focus on the One whose got this all set!! Give that child an extra hug and pray with them, they won't be hiding dirty clothes under their beds, or eating snots forever =)  Eventually all that you have put into them will bear fruit.  

Motherhood = Servanthood

So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith. ~Galatians 6:9 & 10

Serving has never bothered me, its never been a struggle in the past.  Lately though, my attitude and heart just have not been where I want them to be or where God calls them to be.  I was growing tired in the well doing.  I felt like I was just working my tail off and it didn't seem to matter.  And it wasn't the recognition I was looking for, in fact, I really don't like recognition.  It makes me uncomfortable, but lately I just felt like  no one was thankful for me and that no one even realizes the effort I put into things. 

Do everything without grumbling or arguing. ~Philippians 2:14

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ~ 1 Peter 4:9

One night last week, while I was mopping the floors at 10 pm and finishing the dishes God reminded me that He sees. I realized at that moment, He's the only one that will ever fully understand or "get ' it anyways.  There is no one in this world who knows me better than Him, no one.  He knows when I'm at, what I may feel like, my breaking point and He can see the effort it takes for me to press on.  He created me.  A mechanic understands a car much better than me.  Have you ever had something go wrong with your car and you finally get around to taking it to the mechanic and he tells you how good it was that you came in when you did?  Or that if you hadn't gotten there when you did things could have really gone wrong.  Even if the car didn't seem that bad to you, he knows because he understands cars!  God knows cause He understands YOU! For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. ~ Psalms 139:13

So moms know that even if no one else seems to appreciate your serving, do it as unto the Lord!  Even if it means long days, long nights, endless laundry, and all that other "stuff" that seems so thankless you have the most amazing privilege and that is to love on the little people in your life!  God has entrusted you with special gifts and He gave them to you because no one else could do the job that you've been called to for that particular child.  There is something very reassuring in that for me, God chose me for this incredibly important job.  

God sees, God knows, and He's the most important One for you to please.  Rest in the call of servanthood He's placed on your life whatever that might be do it to the best of your ability.  Be faithful over the little and watch God work.  When serving always do it with love and the right attitude, don't let the devil rob you of your joy while serving.  Keep your heart and mind fixed on Him in everything you do, even the jobs you don't like very much =)  

    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 and a future.

~ Jeremiah 29:11