Dare to Believe You Are Complete In God.
As I have dared to believe more of God, His ways, the Truth of His word...the more I am amazed of His faithfulness, even through difficulties in life. He does make something beautiful from the ashes. It's quite a mysterious thing.
Debbie wrote, "Perfect in a spiritual sense is one who is being completed through maturity, growth, and surrender to God. For my life, I have found scripture that reminds me of the importance of coming to Christ daily, a HUGE benefit. The "partnership with God in the development of human lives". HUGE.
The older I become, the more I realize, God has give me gifts and talents to be used for His purpose. I have responsibilities to utilize those tools as He directs my footsteps. I don't always understand the course, but I am beginning to sense the stirring of FAITH, the expectation that it is always worth the sacrifice required. Jesus is completing the end result. He makes a way, when there seems to be NO way. Time and time again, miracles happen, in spite of myself.
Where are you in this process? "Acknowledging where you are is the first step to living in FAITH and TRUTH. I may not be where I want to be, but at least I'm not where I used to be.....forward motion.
His Truth is speaking to me........
I can only pray, be confident in Christ for others. It's Him. I can not lose my own identity and purpose in other people's journeys. I need to listen and be obedient to God's call to love with healthy boundaries and keep running the race. Christ completes me, not others.
God is asking me to......
* Stretch and grow...Go into all the world with the Truth; acknowledging and dealing with the Truth are two separate things.
* Walk in the fullness of what God has given me. Stay out of the pit and don't let others pull me into theirs.
My Challenge is to....
* Keep working in peace, joy, love, faithfulness, long-suffering, kindness, patience, self-control, hope in the Holy Spirit when my flesh is opposed.
* Keep walking by the Spirit, not just head knowledge. God's ways are not man's ways. Many times they defy logic.....but the Word reveals more and more direction if we are brave enough to trust and obey its prompting.
Blessings on your day!
~Shauna
Monday, August 15, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Day 14--
Dare to Believe You Were Not Created to be Enough in Yourself
This is a challenge for self-reliant people...hello!
It is only through Him that we can be ALL that He intended us to be.
Ps. 34
II Cor. 3:4-6 & 3: 17-18 These lifted me.. reminding me of his competency.
Max Lucado's quote: What makes us special is ....the signature of God on our lives."
If you take the challenges for this day seriously...it will change you. Again, the last is the kicker.
24 hr. dare...yes! Be as kind to yourself as Christ is to you. Wow! I didn't realize how I criticize my own weaknesses, vs. building up my strengths.
Today's truth is speaking to me...
Remember who my redeemer is...I'm thankful it's Christ alone.
God is asking me to....
Create good, beauty, love and Truth. Stay away from being close to negative people that suck all life out of me. Guard my heart...Be wise about sharing my heart .
My challenge is....
Move forward when I feel as if I've taken 10 steps backward at the moment. Remind myself who my advocate is...Oh Ya! Go God! Booya!
This is a challenge for self-reliant people...hello!
It is only through Him that we can be ALL that He intended us to be.
Ps. 34
II Cor. 3:4-6 & 3: 17-18 These lifted me.. reminding me of his competency.
Max Lucado's quote: What makes us special is ....the signature of God on our lives."
If you take the challenges for this day seriously...it will change you. Again, the last is the kicker.
24 hr. dare...yes! Be as kind to yourself as Christ is to you. Wow! I didn't realize how I criticize my own weaknesses, vs. building up my strengths.
Today's truth is speaking to me...
Remember who my redeemer is...I'm thankful it's Christ alone.
God is asking me to....
Create good, beauty, love and Truth. Stay away from being close to negative people that suck all life out of me. Guard my heart...Be wise about sharing my heart .
My challenge is....
Move forward when I feel as if I've taken 10 steps backward at the moment. Remind myself who my advocate is...Oh Ya! Go God! Booya!
Day 13-- Bringing Beauty to Life
Daring to surrender to the 'Process of Change'is an amazing place to be on your journey of faith. Beacuse God's ways are not man's ways it all seems strange at first....yet something in your spirit seems to continue to draw you....'come closer, come closer'.
Debbie mentions, a brief description of the development for a pearl: how it is formed. One irritating grain of sand....five years. The reality of change is that "we are changed daily in small steps and in unseen ways. This daily change happens through the surrender of our will to God."
Isaiah 61: 1-3 comforting all who mourn...bestow on them a crown of beauty...
oil of gladness..., a garment of praise..... for the display of His spendor. I am glad Jesus has called me to live in the beauty of His holiness. I'm not always there, but just as the grain of sand is cultuvated, God is cultivating my heart continually. I'm so thankful he isn't finished with me yet.
The dares for our day are EXCELLENT!
To me the last on the list was my first.
Today's Truth is speaking to me....
Look at what the Lord has done. As I interacted with the women at my Bible Study this week, I was reminded of the power of God to restore the brokenhearted, to pour the oil of gladness over my life. None of the ladies in my group know of the trials of despair I have experienced in my life. One of them commented about how "it just flows out of her". Well, I'll be the first to say a few years ago, all that was flowing was a river of tears. Seven or eight years ago, I was covered in ashes. I am so thankful Jesus is in the restoration business, in the relationship business and not in the religion business. He revived me, I AM a new creature in Christ: my focus has changed. I love to experience practical acts for others...a way of encouraging others.
God is asking me to....
Not be ashamed, but walk in His fullness. Radiate His peace/Presence.
God is challenging me....
Walk it out with my family. Keep it real.
Debbie mentions, a brief description of the development for a pearl: how it is formed. One irritating grain of sand....five years. The reality of change is that "we are changed daily in small steps and in unseen ways. This daily change happens through the surrender of our will to God."
Isaiah 61: 1-3 comforting all who mourn...bestow on them a crown of beauty...
oil of gladness..., a garment of praise..... for the display of His spendor. I am glad Jesus has called me to live in the beauty of His holiness. I'm not always there, but just as the grain of sand is cultuvated, God is cultivating my heart continually. I'm so thankful he isn't finished with me yet.
The dares for our day are EXCELLENT!
To me the last on the list was my first.
Today's Truth is speaking to me....
Look at what the Lord has done. As I interacted with the women at my Bible Study this week, I was reminded of the power of God to restore the brokenhearted, to pour the oil of gladness over my life. None of the ladies in my group know of the trials of despair I have experienced in my life. One of them commented about how "it just flows out of her". Well, I'll be the first to say a few years ago, all that was flowing was a river of tears. Seven or eight years ago, I was covered in ashes. I am so thankful Jesus is in the restoration business, in the relationship business and not in the religion business. He revived me, I AM a new creature in Christ: my focus has changed. I love to experience practical acts for others...a way of encouraging others.
God is asking me to....
Not be ashamed, but walk in His fullness. Radiate His peace/Presence.
God is challenging me....
Walk it out with my family. Keep it real.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Day 12--Woman of Worth
Dare: Believe YOU Are God's Treasure and of Great Value to God!
~Shauna
OK....I double-dog dare you!
I'm back home after the conference and in amazement of God. The Global Leadership Conference was phenomenal...highly recommended! I am definitely believing I am a treasure to God and of great value to Him/His purposes.
Today's dare and "scripture, teaches that we come from a place of worth and value. God values those whom he has made", pg. 120 As many have stated....God doesn't make junk. Satan would like us to think otherwise. He wants us to believe that we are worthless so that we will LIVE as if we are worthless.
Often people pull and tear at our confidence in Christ. Maybe they are jealous we live with intent and are focused on Christ--centered on His purposes. It is the value of love, grace and freedom of the Holy Spirit others are drawn to...as they are drawn to a 'woman of worth'--it is nothing we have done that is special. I'm so glad God has a design for my life. He has given ALL of us immeasurable value, gifts and talents.
As many of you know---my life has been a wild ride so far. But God is still creating more facets....more dimensions of His light to be reflected. When I began my jewelry company, Treasure in Earthen Vessels years ago, it was from the scripture, II Cor. 4:7; to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. I thought I understood the scripture, then I was tested.
Another crack, another chip, what was happening. I thought that with so many broken dreams, so many shattered pieces, God would not be able to use this vessel again. I had experienced God in ways that I knew many others had not--I did not understand. I thought all people had known the power of God surging through their very being. Speaking Jesus' name and see people receive salvation, healing and deliverance. I soon learned that many hadn't, didn't understand and the Enemy wanted me to think there was no value in sharing God's love, grace and freedom of the Holy Spirit. The enemy wanted me to think it was too late, too many mistakes, no way possible God could use this broken vessel. But as we read/reminded on pg. 121, "your enemy, the thief hates all this. He wants you to think you are worthless. It's a LIE. The truth stands: YOU are precious, loved and valued." We are women of value.
Today's truth is speaking to me....
Walk in these truths again! Why have you taken steps backward? Rise up and walk!
God is asking me to....
Remember, meditate, dream again, plan with prayer & fasting.
Get rid of the chaos and side-ring circus acts-----simplify again. Forward motion only. Be ready in and
out of season.
Do not become entangled with other's bondage issues. That is not the same as love, compassion, grace
or mercy. STAY FREE!
My challenge is to....
Do what God is asking me to do.....it's a big dream that only He could conjure up.
Continue to pray for breakthroughs...keep believing.....keep serving Him with my whole heart
knowing I am who He says I am...a woman of worth, a woman of priceless value.
Blessings on your evening,
~Shauna
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Day 11--A Different Life
No Longer For Self.....Live In! In Surrender of Self Romans 12:1-3
God change our thinking to YOURS...YOUR BIG PICTURE.
This morning Mark and I are getting ready to attend a satellite meeting for the WillowCreek Leadership Summit Conference @Cornerstone Church in Livermore. We are excited that God has led us to attend this conference. We are anticipating a different life with MORE of Jesus...more of God's revelation.
In Psalm 23, on pg. 113 I soaked in the section which says, "I'm NOT AFRAID when you walk AT my side.
YOUR TRUSTY Shepherd's Crook (boundaries).....
YOU SERVE ME........
YOU REVIVE ME......
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. This is the place I want to be. This is the place that takes living an intentional awareness of walking with God.
The Lists on pg. 114 are priceless. Jesus came to give us life...that life looks different than the culture's perception....it's based on His word-His Truth-His promises fulfilled. It's all about Him/His Big Picture---we have to be by his side to have this kind of life.
Today's Truth is speaking to me: Walk with Jesus always....let Him be my Shepherd (tour guide), so I will not be deceived into being coerced off His path for His purposes.
God is asking me to..... Move forward WITHOUT fear. Remember how faithful He has been in the past and walk in faith for Promises He still wants to fulfill...God's WORLDVIEW--not my own.
Pursue His Presence and He will move the mountains.
My challenge is to.....
Have a good attitude about "baby steps". I need to stop worrying about everyone else's feelings/hurts and their ramifications while I am trying to move forward. They have to live out their 'stuff'--their way. I am not called to be hindered from moving forward because of their 'stuff'.....I am called to WALK with My Shepherd. I am called to pray, encourage and love WHILE walking with Jesus.
It is a challenge for me when I love people around me. I want to grab their hands and say, "This is the Way". But that is the Holy Spirit's role.
"The Lord is my helper and will teach me how to love others when I would rather hold back" or drag along. Lord, help me love well.
God change our thinking to YOURS...YOUR BIG PICTURE.
This morning Mark and I are getting ready to attend a satellite meeting for the WillowCreek Leadership Summit Conference @Cornerstone Church in Livermore. We are excited that God has led us to attend this conference. We are anticipating a different life with MORE of Jesus...more of God's revelation.
In Psalm 23, on pg. 113 I soaked in the section which says, "I'm NOT AFRAID when you walk AT my side.
YOUR TRUSTY Shepherd's Crook (boundaries).....
YOU SERVE ME........
YOU REVIVE ME......
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. This is the place I want to be. This is the place that takes living an intentional awareness of walking with God.
The Lists on pg. 114 are priceless. Jesus came to give us life...that life looks different than the culture's perception....it's based on His word-His Truth-His promises fulfilled. It's all about Him/His Big Picture---we have to be by his side to have this kind of life.
Today's Truth is speaking to me: Walk with Jesus always....let Him be my Shepherd (tour guide), so I will not be deceived into being coerced off His path for His purposes.
God is asking me to..... Move forward WITHOUT fear. Remember how faithful He has been in the past and walk in faith for Promises He still wants to fulfill...God's WORLDVIEW--not my own.
Pursue His Presence and He will move the mountains.
My challenge is to.....
Have a good attitude about "baby steps". I need to stop worrying about everyone else's feelings/hurts and their ramifications while I am trying to move forward. They have to live out their 'stuff'--their way. I am not called to be hindered from moving forward because of their 'stuff'.....I am called to WALK with My Shepherd. I am called to pray, encourage and love WHILE walking with Jesus.
It is a challenge for me when I love people around me. I want to grab their hands and say, "This is the Way". But that is the Holy Spirit's role.
"The Lord is my helper and will teach me how to love others when I would rather hold back" or drag along. Lord, help me love well.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Day 10--Mind Management
Wow! What a whirlwind day! I love when God is saying, 'Are you sure you want to ride this ride with me?' This is just getting started....are you really ready? It's 4:15 PM and I'm finally having an opportunity to blog. Oh well, some days are just like that.
This "Mind Management", is an area that is a challenge in the culture in which we live. Everything is vying for the focus of our minds.
Todays' Dare: Guard Your Thoughts and Full Your Mind with Good.
The chart that Debbie shared on pg. 106 is worth xeroxing/copying on index cards and placing in our cars, on our vanities, refrigerator, etc... to quickly remind us of the FOCUS! What is buzzing around your head?
I loved the idea of the "Lie Swatter"!!! I don't know about you, but if there is a fly buzzing around me, I grab whatever is available and USE IT to accomplish the task. What are the spiritual tools/principles that you have laying around--available for you to use in a quick moment? If they're available and not IN USE, they are of no value......start using God's word, praises, songs, grateful thoughts,etc...use what you have available and continue to add to your arsenal of "effective swatters".
Today's truth is speaking to me....
The battlefield is the mind. Don't sit there in the "mindfield" of lies/deceptions and half-truths. Pray...Pursue God-directed thoughts/actions...remember His plans are for good, not evil. And keep moving forward!! That's how we finish the race.
God is asking me to....
Keep moving forward. Someone else's junk isn't mine. I refuse to be pulled down into their pit. I will continue to pray and go about the Father's business.......not being distracted by "flies' or "bugs". God is asking me to be FOCUSED.
My challenge is to......
Be bold and courageous! Making our home/temple; a home/temple filled with joy, love and peace. Ridding it of manipulation, fear, lies being ignored. LET the LIGHT EXPOSE the DARKNESS.
LET the TRUTH SET US FREE! NOW, not next year, or in five years or when all of the kids are out of school/when they are all married, etc..... Jesus is about the NOW.
FREEDOM NOW in Jesus' name!
Finally friends, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if ANYTHING is EXCELLENT or PRAISEWORTHY--THINK about such things. ** Philippians 4:8
This "Mind Management", is an area that is a challenge in the culture in which we live. Everything is vying for the focus of our minds.
Todays' Dare: Guard Your Thoughts and Full Your Mind with Good.
The chart that Debbie shared on pg. 106 is worth xeroxing/copying on index cards and placing in our cars, on our vanities, refrigerator, etc... to quickly remind us of the FOCUS! What is buzzing around your head?
I loved the idea of the "Lie Swatter"!!! I don't know about you, but if there is a fly buzzing around me, I grab whatever is available and USE IT to accomplish the task. What are the spiritual tools/principles that you have laying around--available for you to use in a quick moment? If they're available and not IN USE, they are of no value......start using God's word, praises, songs, grateful thoughts,etc...use what you have available and continue to add to your arsenal of "effective swatters".
Today's truth is speaking to me....
The battlefield is the mind. Don't sit there in the "mindfield" of lies/deceptions and half-truths. Pray...Pursue God-directed thoughts/actions...remember His plans are for good, not evil. And keep moving forward!! That's how we finish the race.
God is asking me to....
Keep moving forward. Someone else's junk isn't mine. I refuse to be pulled down into their pit. I will continue to pray and go about the Father's business.......not being distracted by "flies' or "bugs". God is asking me to be FOCUSED.
My challenge is to......
Be bold and courageous! Making our home/temple; a home/temple filled with joy, love and peace. Ridding it of manipulation, fear, lies being ignored. LET the LIGHT EXPOSE the DARKNESS.
LET the TRUTH SET US FREE! NOW, not next year, or in five years or when all of the kids are out of school/when they are all married, etc..... Jesus is about the NOW.
FREEDOM NOW in Jesus' name!
Finally friends, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if ANYTHING is EXCELLENT or PRAISEWORTHY--THINK about such things. ** Philippians 4:8
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Day 9--Asking and Not Receiving
Today's dare: Remember That God Gives Good Gifts to His Children.
I don't know about you yet, but I needed today's dare. I have been challenged with about a dozen difficult things lately. I have been praying, I have been meditating, sitting in His Presence; knowing that Jesus can do anything He sees fit.
The lists of things for the day, pg. 99 spoke volumes! Especially about turning our thinking around regarding 'time lines' and learning to trust in God's time.
Today's truth is speaking to me.....
God = faithful for his children's benefit & for his purposes...in his timing so that all people
would know him.
God is asking me to....
Be steadfast.
Remain in the BIG PICTURE!
Keep my mind on prayer, praise and His promises--not the bleak.
LIVING UP!! Looking toward Him.
My challenge is to...
Be all that God has asked of me when people are mean, rude, inconsiderate, and purposefully hurtful.
It's so challenging to continue to try to foster relationships when others intentionally attack our
soft spots. When we have been vulnerable, opened up and shared valuable information to try to help
another and have them turn around and use that against us--OUCH! My challenge is to remember that
I am trusting God for the favorable outcome in his timing.....that all things will work together for
good. When I am weak, He is strong!
For I have a heavenly Father, and He knows what I need and provides ALL I need.
I don't know about you yet, but I needed today's dare. I have been challenged with about a dozen difficult things lately. I have been praying, I have been meditating, sitting in His Presence; knowing that Jesus can do anything He sees fit.
The lists of things for the day, pg. 99 spoke volumes! Especially about turning our thinking around regarding 'time lines' and learning to trust in God's time.
Today's truth is speaking to me.....
God = faithful for his children's benefit & for his purposes...in his timing so that all people
would know him.
God is asking me to....
Be steadfast.
Remain in the BIG PICTURE!
Keep my mind on prayer, praise and His promises--not the bleak.
LIVING UP!! Looking toward Him.
My challenge is to...
Be all that God has asked of me when people are mean, rude, inconsiderate, and purposefully hurtful.
It's so challenging to continue to try to foster relationships when others intentionally attack our
soft spots. When we have been vulnerable, opened up and shared valuable information to try to help
another and have them turn around and use that against us--OUCH! My challenge is to remember that
I am trusting God for the favorable outcome in his timing.....that all things will work together for
good. When I am weak, He is strong!
For I have a heavenly Father, and He knows what I need and provides ALL I need.
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