I Choose Today...

I Choose Today to Show Up

Last week, we talked about how Satan tormented Jesus when He was in a weakened state, (see “I Choose Today to Fix My Mind”). Last year I was in a weakened state and Satan took his opportunity to torment me. I had the perception of being stuck, unmotivated by almost everything, including my work, relationships, and even my walk with the Lord. It seemed I was going through the motions without feeling. I lived like I was lost, and I didn’t know what to do about it. Satan was telling me I held no value, I didn’t measure up. He reminded me of all the negative talk spoken to me from my early years. He was tormenting me in my weakened state. I can remember taking a walk and crying out to the Lord! Literally crying out! You know what happened? He met me where I was. All I had the energy to do was show up. That is what I heard God speak to my heart. So, I would show up to quiet time and He was there. He was there to listen. He was there to start the healing of my heart. He was there to show me

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I Choose Today to be an Influencer

I have been reading a book by John Maxwell called Developing the Leader Within You. John spoke about influence and how it makes an impression on our everyday lives. He quotes, “No one can understand that mysterious thing we call influence… yet… everyone of us continually exerts influence, either to heal, to bless, to leave marks of beauty; or to wound, to hurt, to poison, to stain other lives.” Maxwell’s concept of influence extends beyond our awareness, shaping our choices and interactions every day. Recently, a simple trip to the grocery store underscored this truth for me The other day my husband and I went to a specialty grocery store to get a particular bread for an event. We bought 10 packages of this bread. The gentleman that was having his stuff checked stepped away for the register to add six packages of the same bread to his purchase. He told us that when he saw how many packages we were buying, he knew that bread must be really good! So, even though he didn’t know us at all, he was influenced by us enough to blindly buy the bread. At that moment, we were influencers and he imitated us

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I Choose Today to be an Change Agent

Have you seen the news lately? Driven on a freeway or busy road? Gone to the store? To a sporting event? If the answer is yes, then you have probably witnessed (or participated) in all the angst, anger, evil, and hate that is going on all around us. I know sometimes it can be overwhelming and frustrating to see and feel all the immorality happening. There doesn’t seem to be a way to peace and goodness because people are inherently wicked. David reminds us of this truth when he says, ”…There is no one who does good, no, not even one.“ Psalms‬ ‭53‬:‭3‬a ‭AMP‬‬ Why doesn’t Jesus come back already? This world is so bad; so much tragedy, so much evil; so much pain and suffering. What is He waiting for? He is waiting for you, your neighbor, your child, your family member, your enemy to come to Him for their hope and salvation. Peter says it best when he states, ”The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, Hie is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.“ 2 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬ God is

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I Choose Today to Fix My Mind

It seems like for so long people have been shamed into thinking you cannot talk about dealing with anxiety. They were taught that if you were riddled with anxiety, then you were weak or emotionally disturbed, or not acting like a Christian should. Even Jesus was tormented. The devil tried to do to Him what he is most successful in doing to us: lie and torment us when we are in our weakened state. But even in a weakened state while in the wilderness (which is where we often find ourselves in time of anxiousness), Jesus  defeated the devil by quoting scripture and knowing the truth of God’s Word. As we know, “the truth will set you free!” Free from worry. Free from anxiety. Free from the lies with which the devil tries to torment us. ”And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.“Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬ When we find ourselves being anxious, we need to run to God’s Word, reset our minds by focusing on the good, honorable, just, excellent Word: fix

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I Choose Today to Ride the Storm

Have you ever been in an intense storm? You know, a storm that consist of high winds you cannot stand up against and heavy rains that you can’t see past? Paul and his captors experienced a storm. But in the midst of this dangerous, frightening storm, God was there. ”For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, and He said, ‘Don’t be afraid… What’s more, God in His goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as He said.“ ‭‭Acts‬ ‭27‬:‭23‬-‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬ God’s presence during Paul’s storm illustrates His faithfulness in the midst of adversity. Similarly, when I faced the tumultuous storm of losing my son, I discovered firsthand the solace and strength that come from relying on God. I find comfort in this account from Paul’s experience. My comfort is in knowing God is with me through my hard stuff, my mess, my storms; He will bring me through it. I once had a friend who, after learning about my loss, said she couldn’t believe I was still standing; still smiling; still had joy in my

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