The freedom of being ALL of who God intended us to be, takes time. Like a caterpillar who stuffs itself full of all that life has to offer, one day it stops, becomes still, and gets transformed. Living in the fullness of God’s love comes at the expense of losing who we have always been. The caterpillar could not change itself, it only could become all it was meant to be — by being stilled. Sometimes God allows circumstances into our life to STILL US in order to get our attention so that we can RENEW OUR MINDS.

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how His ways will really satisfy you.” Romans 12:2  — God asks us to RESET our minds, and focus on HIM. A simple technique to reboot our right thinking is to read and decree God’s Word over ourselves.   Trust the Father to remain faithful to fulfill the word He spoke. It never comes back void. Expect God to move in His perfect way and awesome timing.

As an overcomer, we are empowered by God’s Spirit to overcome the most powerful enemy of all. Me, myself and I and all my grumbling; my worrying, and fears! Laugh at yourself and move on! How silly to fear that someone may not like you if you say “NO”. Without an explanation, NO is a complete sentence. Life as a desperate people pleaser comes with the burden of being liked, recognized and valued. BUT GOD! 1 Corinthians 13:12 “For now we see in a mirror, DIMLY, but THEN FACE to FACE. Now we KNOW in part, but then we shall know just as God knows us.” This verse indicates that everything concerning salvation is undergoing a process of transformation.

“Become like a child, and trust your Father without doubt.”  My old self was full of selfish desires. My self preservation method was to defend my choices. My old thoughts, and automatic attitudes or assumptions kept me from growing in Gods ways. The abundant life in Christ comes when we humble ourselves before God and admit to the One who knows all.  — James 1:12-26 “Blessed is the one who PERSEVERES under TRIAL.” Our faith is refined by the testing within the trials of life. Our love of God over our own desires will get us the crown of LIFE that the Lord has promised. NOT if, but when we are tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does HE tempt anyone.”

Our Father would never think to tempt anyone to sin. “Each person is tempted when they are (baited) dragged away by their own evil desire (to taste the bait, the apple) and enticed or deceptively lured into thinking “just once won’t hurt. Nobody will know.” GOD KNOWS. After our desire ponders the potential pleasure, our desire gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don’t be deceived. Every good and perfect gift is from the Father. Sunrise to sunset, in the light or in the dark. In the shallow water or in the deep, God is there and He does not change like shifting sand or as generations come and go. God chose to give us birth through the WORD of TRUTH, that we might be a kind of FIRSTFRUITS or the BEST of all He created.

We display wisdom when we control our tongue. Be quick to listen, as the onboard Holy Spirit is ever with us. Be slow to speak as He gives you wise words. Be slow to take the bait and become angry. Our human anger does not reflect Christ in us, His hope for glory. Wisely, we choose to confess and get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent. We HUMBLY ACCEPT the WORD PLANTED in us which saves us from speaking curses. We choose NOT to merely listen to the WORD, and so deceive ourselves, but we gladly choose to do what it says. AMEN

Anyone who listens to the WORD but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror. After looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what HE looks like. But whoever LOOKS INTENTLY into GODS WORD and walks it out, NOT forgetting what HE SAID,  but does it—they will be BLESSED in what they do. Those who think to highly of  themselves and yet do NOT keep a tight rein on their tongues — deceive themselves.” Be humble.

Our Father is quick to forgive us, and we obey Him by forgiving ourselves. We decree that we are His beloved. He is constantly at work refining us. Our FAITH in God is tested, and as we stand firm, by His grace, we emerge shining His light. Sing these lyrics “I know the Author of my story, and He is mine, yes He is mine. Aaron a new creation in Christ, the old is gone, there’s new life. I live by faith, not by sight. There’s a new name written down in GLORY, and it’s mine. I am who I am, because the I am tells me who I am.” When we get baited to sin, we resist evil and remember God’s Word. We tell our brain what to think!” Trash in, trash out!

Before you go to bed, take inventory of words spoken, encounters, conversations and confess any hurtful remarks, or a bad attitude. Ask God to forgive any stubborn way, or missed  opportunity to bless someone. Then forgive yourself completely just as He does.  Be excited to go to bed and have a renewing, restful sleep. Speak to your brain, and command the 24/7 recycling center to trash all thoughts that came into your mind that do not line up with the Word of God.” The busy overnight filing clerk then dumps trash.

Read your GRATITUDE list before you slip into that deep sleep and pray. “Lord I am so thankful for my salvation, for my family and friends. Thank You for Your lavish love, provision, healing and all the unopened gifts You have for me! Bring to my mind the words you want my mind to store as I sleep, in Jesus name – AMEN” Our Father commanded “Be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! Remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 — Walk confidently in the fullness of the faith you were given. BELIEVE that you stand righteous before God, and that your name was placed in the Lamb’s book of life the moment you accepted Jesus as Lord!

By faith, we were saved, and by His great grace, we now belong to God Almighty.  He has given us authority to speak the name of Jesus and cause the devil to flee. Being who He created us to be is a life long journey. BEGIN to IMAGINE what tomorrow will look like! Turn the news off, and imagine God and His plan for you tomorrow. Expect His lavish extravagance daily.

Be excited that when Jesus comes back He will find us thriving and living the abundant life He planned. Choose to accept the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Jesus has already provided us with everything we need and He is waiting for us to take it by faith. Be EXCITED and find great joy in simply “being His” —Out of the overflow of His love —- we bear all the fruit of the Spirit of God because the Holy Spirit is in us. He seeks to display all fruits to the watching world.  Be kind, loving, joyful, at peace, and patient beyond all human understanding.  In our personal joy journey — God requires incremental progress NOT perfection.

When the Liar whispers that you do not please God, that you are unworthy, or unwanted.  Shout back with authority “In the name of JESUS no lie, or weapon formed against me can change who I am in Christ, Satan be gone! Freedom in Christ requires lots of boldness to cast out our own demon of feeling unworthy of God’s immense love.  We are called to love ourselves as God loves us, imperfections and all. Be EXCITED about all the Lord is going to reveal today!” Psalm 118:24. “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Isaiah 54:17 “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.”

Be encouraged. “But now the righteousness of God has been revealed independently apart from law, although actually it is attested by the law and the prophets. Namely the righteousness of God which comes by BELIEVING with personal TRUST and CONFIDENT reliance on Jesus Christ.  It is meant for all who believe.  For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and are falling short of the glory which God bestows and receives. All are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy) through the redemption which is provided in Christ Jesus, Whom God put forward as a Mercy Seat and propitiation by His blood. His cleansing and life-giving sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation  — is to be received by FAITH. In His divine forbearance, He had passed over and ignored former sins without punishment.” Romans 3:21-25 Amplified Bible

“By the blood of the Lamb, and the Word of our testimony.” Hold every thought captive. Be slow to speak and certain to speak only blessings not curses.