Study With Me - Chapter 25 The Finale

Hi Everyone-
Well we are here - at the end of the book and at the beginning of a new mindset for living. As we have gone through this book I hope you have taken the time to let God's truths sink in and take residence in your heart. There is a lot of powerful information in here and in the future you may want to read this book again. As I stated in the last chapter, I have gained even more from reading it over. Again I want to thank all who have studied with me now and in the future, I hope any and all of what God has placed in my heart to share here blesses you in some way.

If you have come here for the first time - this is my last post of the "Study with Me" series I have been doing using Joyce Meyer's book "Battlefield of the Mind". Please click the button on my side bar to start at the beginning or feel free to read and comment on any of the chapters along the way.

Chapter 25 - Wilderness Mentality #10

"I'm going to do it my way or not at all."

There are so many things I want to say here. First and most important, I have learned that if it is not God's way it's not the right way. Now to say I practice that 100% of the time would be a lie, but I do know it. :) My husband uses a term called "unteachable" and when I very first heard him use it I didn't understand what he meant. I thought anybody can be taught. But what he meant was there are people that are so caught up in doing things their own way that you can't teach them any other way. Essentially they are "Know it alls". God has shown me that when we think we can do everything or anything without Him, it's a matter of pride. God has also given me the illustration that when we act on our own without consulting Him, we are saying our way is better than His, that we know more than Him. We know more than God, ouch, I don't think so.

God recently gave me a picture of something that is so big, I want to share with you. God shared with me that we need to look at a bigger picture than ourselves and our world. See each one of us were put here with a purpose, that's why we have desires and strong feelings about certain things, it's because He placed those desires in us. We have a responsibility to up hold what Jesus did for us on the cross. He died so we would be set free, healed and have eternal life. So here is part of what God was showing me. Jesus bought something for me. When I don't operate in the peace and healing that Jesus bought for me, it's like a slap in His face. He gave His life for mine and I won't accept it. And why won't I accept His gift, because "It's too hard" or "I'm content where I'm at" or because "I want to do it my way. "

The other part that God showed me it that "It's NOT all about Me" and how I feel. As a christian, like it or not, the life I live is a witness to others of my God. If I am living a broken down, sick, poverty stricken life, what does that speak of my God. Who wants a God of the barely getting by. Who wants a God that leaves you sick, and crippled. Who wants a God that lets you be tormented in your mind. He gave the gift, we need to accept (receive) it.

Isaiah 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. (NKJV)

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]

28You heard Me tell you, I am going away and I am coming [back] to you. If you [really] loved Me, you would have been glad, because I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater and mightier than I am.
29And now I have told you [this] before it occurs, so that when it does take place you may believe and have faith in and rely on Me. (Amp)

I guess at this point the only point left that I can share with you is - I've done it my way and I've done it God's way. God's way is better! I am not perfect and will always be a work in progress, we all should be. God will continue to grow me as long as I am on this earth and submitting to His will and not my own. Seek God and His word in ALL that you do and you will always succeed.

Father God,

Thank you for guiding me on this journey. Thank you for all the wisdom you have shared with me and others as we have dug into our word.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Until Next time,

Blessings my Friends,

Lynn

Study With Me - Chapter 24

Hi Everyone,
Almost there. Thank you anyone and everyone that has taken this journey with me and all who will in the future. This Book has helped me and so many that I know personally that I wish everyone in the world would dig into it. This is my second time through reading it and I got new nuggets from it this time that I didn't get last time. God meets us where we are at. Reading Dick and Jane in the first grade and then re-reading Dick and Jane in the third grade you'll see a different story. Well lets get going....

** If you are coming here for the first time, I am hosting a study using the book "Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Meyers. Click the button on my side bar to go to the intro or join in anytime.

Chapter #24 - Wilderness Mentality #9

Why shouldn't I be jealous and envious when everybody else is better off that I am?

Is there anybody out there that has never had to deal with even one jealous or envious thought?

This is such an ugly monster that can creep into any little crack of your life that it can find. It can be as little as, "they got more cereal in their bowl", "their birthday present was better than the one I got", to "I am such a better person, why do they get all the better things in life".

That's not even going into the whole relationship jealousy thing. I have known so many people that have ruined friendships and even marriages by being jealous and possessive.

I like the scripture that Joyce used - Proverbs 14:30 A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones.

Notice that is says a "calm and undisturbed mind" . Now look at - 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Again God is talking about having a "Sound Mind". See when we are not calm, when we are not of sound mind, we react in ways we should not. When we get to that point our flesh or carnal nature takes over. Not pretty.

Jealousy and envy is a type of fear. Fear is the opposite of Faith. We need to build up our faith to know without any doubt that God has a plan for each of us. Let God be in complete control. God knows what is best for us and He has us right where we can do the work that He wants us to do.

Father God, as always, help us, to lean on and trust in you. Show us how to rest and trust in where you have us. Give us strength to refuse the evil thoughts that would try to torment us about who we are or are not. Help us to not compare or compete in unhealthy ways.

In Jesus' precious name

Amen

Blessings

Lynn

Study with Me - Chapter 23

Hi everyone hope you are doing well. We are getting closer and closer to the end and I am hoping that the truths that we are and have learned will be life changing for you.

** If you are coming here for the first time, I am hosting a study using the book "Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Meyers. Click the button on my side bar to go to the intro or join in anytime.

Chapter 23 - Wilderness Mentality #8

"I don't deserve God's blessings because I'm not worthy"

Well let me just start this right off with - you're right you're not worthy. Brutal huh? Well none of us are worthy in our own strength and ability to receive anything from God. If we were capable to do it on our own, the old testament law would have worked and Jesus wouldn't have needed to be crucified. But there is another side to that as well. Jesus did come to save us, and because He did, we are righteous through Him. All we need to do is accept the gift He gave us, life.

See there is balance in all we do. We can't think too much of ourselves and believe we can do everything without God, because we can't. And we can't think too little of ourselves so that we don't claim what is rightfully ours. God has shown me lately it is like a slap in His face when we won't accept what was given to us when he gave His Son for us. God wants to give us so many blessings, but we all fall short of receiving all God has, for one reason or another.

It may have been a mindset that we were raised with, social conditioning from our childhood or maybe we had bad things happen to us earlier in our lives that has hardened us or made us shrink away, and hide. However, as we have talked about in several of these chapters throughout the book, Satan will pick a little piece of truth or an event that has happened in our life mix it with a lot of lies and drill us with it until it builds a stronghold in our life. These strongholds can be little or they can be so devastating in our life that we are rendered incapable of handling life. That is why it is so vitally important to dig into God's word and see who He says we are.

Hebrews 10:35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

2 Corinthians5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Father God, Help us to see ourselves through your eyes. Help us to know that through you we are worthy and that all you gave through the Blood of Jesus is for each of us not just some of us. That all was given as a free gift to all that receive not all that earn. We love you and thank you for your mercy and grace in our lives.

In Jesus Precious Name,

Amen

Be Blessed,

Lynn

Study with Me - Chapter 22

Hi everyone,
Hope you are doing well we only have a few chapters left. It seems like it was just a couple of weeks ago I was asking if anyone was interested. Well let's get started.

** If you are coming here for the first time, I am hosting a study using the book "Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Meyers. Click the button on my side bar to go to the intro or join in anytime.

Chapter 22 - Wilderness Mentality #7

My life is so miserable;

I feel sorry for myself because my life is so wretched.

I think a lot of us have thought this at on time or another in our life. I know children can get into this mindset when they don't get their way. The world is against them, nobody understands, and nobody cares. As Joyce points out in the book, this is a result of Satan continually whispering these lies in your ear. Again as I have said in many of my posts, the devil uses a little piece of truth and a lot of lie to convince you how bad your life really is. So we have our party, Pity Party that is. We have the planning of the party, that's where we meditate on all the reasons we should have the party. Then we make up the guest list, this is where we think of all the people we can tell our woe's to, that will agree with us. (You can identify that's what you're doing by the fact that some people are not on the guest list) Next you gather party favors, these are the little tid bits that you are storing up for attack and revenge. By now the party is in full force. At this point, the party its self is doing enough damage in your life, however what other areas besides your mind is it affecting.

Are you murmuring, grumbling, or fault-finding? Are you doing the woe is me martyr dance? Are you over eating or using other substances to medicate your wounds? Stop! I know - easier said than done, especially if you have had lots of parties, it takes a while to learn how to not. But you can do it. God says you can do all things through Him that strengthens you. (Philippians 4:13)

Something that really helped me is the phrase that God shared with Joyce, "You can be pitiful or powerful but not both". There have actually been times when I wanted to break out into a pity party, and God reminded me of that and it stopped me.

Try to identify the things that trigger you to want to have a pity party, ask God to point them out to you. Lay them down to God and let Him correct your thinking about these things.

John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

Father God, Please help us as we continue to renew our mind with your word. Help us to release these areas of our life that are not right. Give us strength and courage to face these wrong attitudes or our hearts. Thank you for your mercy and grace in our lives.

In Jesus Precious Name, Amen

Blessings,

Lynn

Study with Me - Chapter 21

Hello Everyone,

I went a little longer than I wanted to between posts again, but better late than never right?

If you are coming here for the first time, I am hosting a study using the book "Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Meyers. Click the button on my side bar to go to the intro or join in anytime.

Chapter 21- Wilderness Mentality #6 -

"My behavior might be wrong, but it's not my fault"

This chapter is so rich, and yet I sit here not knowing what all to say. So I am starting in faith that God will give me the right words. I don't know about you, but in my life, I grew up making excuses for everything. Why isn't your homework done? Why didn't you eat all your lunch? Didn't I tell you not to crawl under the house to play with the puppies? "But ...I...Well I Just" I used to tell my daughter when she was growing up anytime she used the phrase "I Just" to answer a question she "Just" got herself in trouble. That was because I knew it was an excuse or a lie. I want to ask something before we go much farther. When is it an excuse and when is it a lie? There are reasons we do things, but by justifying them with an excuse we are not taking our own responsibility for these actions. There is the other side of this - by not doing something when we should, we can fall into the trap of excuses also.

Let's take a look at Adam and Eve. God gave them the rules and boundaries for staying in good graces with Him. Don't eat from the tree. Satan came and deceived Eve into thinking she was missing out on something and tempted her to eat from the tree. So she ate from the tree. She actively did something she shouldn't have. Then she blamed the serpent. Now Adam eats the fruit that his wife gives him, and blames her for giving it to him, and then blames God for the bad woman that God made for him. In Adam's case he didn't take action where he should have. God gave him dominion, Adam should have said no. Neither Adam or Eve took the responsibility for their wrong doing. I wonder if God's punishment would have been so severe if they had fessed up and repented. Does it make you wonder?

I went through a period of time in my life where I let everyone walk all over me. It always starts so small a little teasing as a child at school, a little beating myself up here or there. Until one day you give up and don't even try anymore. Then I fooled myself into thinking that if I wasn't doing anything, I wasn't responsible. Wrong we each are responsible for what we allow and don't allow in our lives. (Adam allowed Eve to give him the fruit) This is a hard one, because I was in a verbally abusive marriage, and relationship with other family members for a long time. It is easy to shrink down and say I can't help it is not my fault. Not so it was because I allowed it. It took many years after the divorce of my 1st husband, for me to be able to say that. Through God I see that I am free, and part of being free is coming to God, not holding anything back. Give it all to Him and let him give you the strength to face what you must.

Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Everything we see, hear, touch and do in our lives from babies to adults changes and molds us in some way, good or bad. That's why God so often tells us to be very mindful of what we see and hear. Also be very mindful of what you make as your abode. (the place you camp out and live) It is so hard to take responsibility for your actions, but it is so freeing and you will grow so much, one day you'll look back and won't believe you were ever any other way.

Father God

Help us to see our faults. Help us to not look at other people and other things as our source of excuse. Give us the strength to change in ourselves what needs to change to line up with your word. Help us to be more like you.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

In his love, be Blessed,

Lynn

Study with Me - Chapter 20

Hi Everyone,

If you are coming here for the first time, I am hosting a study using the book "Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Meyers. Click the button on my side bar to go to the intro or join in anytime.

Chapter 20 - Wilderness mentality # 5

Don't make me wait for anything I deserve everything right now!

I think we can read the title of this chapter and get an idea where this is going to go. We are living in a "instant" world these days. Everything is about convenience, 7-11, Circle K, Am-PM. It is just so much of our lives we have trouble seeing beyond it.

I have probably told this story before, but it is worth repeating. When our oldest Granddaughter was only 3 or 4 we had run into our daughter and son-in-law in a local store trying to do some Christmas shopping. Well they were struggling since our Granddaughter was with them and asked if I could entertain her for a few minutes while they purchased a couple of "Santa" gifts. So as we strolled through the store her and I talked about what she wanted for Christmas and what Santa would bring. To which she would ask "Grandma, won't you get me this or why can't I have that? My comment several times was "honey we have to wait Santa might be bringing that to you." Here was the topper to our conversation, she looked up at me with the most serious face a 3 year old could have with big wide eyes and stated - "No body believes me, I've got to have it now!" Well of course that has been a favorite saying for our whole family for 12 years now, but it has such a truth to it also.

God tells us we have been give self control as a fruit of the spirit.

Galatians 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

But as with any fruit, it is not mature once the little bud comes out on the tree. It has to be nurtured and watered and fed, before it is fully developed. So what does that tell us about our impatience. (Opps!)

Patience is something that has to be practiced and developed, just like any of the other gifts God gives us. Anything that is fed will grow. Giving in to ourselves is feeding that impatience in us. But learning to wait on and trust in the Lord, to endure, makes us stronger. It is part of the equipping us that is necessary for us to fight the battles that Satan will throw at us. Notice I said will not might. John 10:10 one of my favorite scriptures says: The thief (that is Satan) comes only to Steal (our peace our happiness , our joy our blessings our prosperity) Kill, (again our peace, but our souls our lives) and destroy (anything that God is doing to give us the better life here on earth and eternity in heaven). But I (God) have come that they may have life and have it to the full.

See God isn't trying to hold out on you. He like any good parent is trying to grow us up. If we don't train our children to tie their shoes and comb their hair and do their homework and eat properly, they will not be able to take care of themselves. It works the same with God.

I could ramble on, but hopefully you are getting the picture. We (yes me included) need to grow up and follow Gods instructions, in Gods timing not mine.

Father God, help us to develop our self control. Help us lean on you and not ourselves. In Jesus name.

Amen.

Until the next chapter - Blessings,

Lynn

Study With Me - Chapter 19

Hello everyone!

It's a blustery day here in the NW and we have seen more snow in northern Oregon than they have seen in 20+ years. I'm enjoying it but I am not out in it. So lets look at the next chapter.

If you are coming here for the first time, I am hosting a study using the book "Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Meyers. Click the button on my side bar to go to the intro or join in anytime.

Study With Me - Chapter 19 - Wilderness Mentality #4

I can't help it I'm just addicted to grumbling, faultfinding and complaining.

Well that pretty much sums it up for most of us, pack up we can go now. :) Sad but very true, we are addicted to grumbling. We don't like this or we don't like that. And if you don't think you grumble, listen to what comes out of your mouth. Because sometimes even when we think we are being good, we are only being controlled, not good.

After reading this chapter again (probably for the 4th or 5th time) I realized there are at least 3 areas that need to be in check.

First of all and I think most importantly, we need to make sure our thoughts and attitudes are in a positive track. This is so important because what we think on we will act on eventually.

This is where the second area comes into play, our body language. We can be a witness, bad or good, with our body language. Don't think for a moment that how you act without saying a word does not get noticed by those around you. I know it's easy to see the the obvious when someone slams a door or stomps off, but what about when we do the heavy sigh every 30 seconds or the scowl when we look someone else up and down and don't know anyone saw us do it. What about the pout because we didn't get our way. What about the refusal to participate in group activity, just because it is not your thing. God showed me sometimes we just need to be grateful receivers, whether it is our thing or not.

The third area I think comes into play is our mouth. What we say is what we speak into existence for our life. Remember God created heaven and earth with words.

Lets read James, it is such a good reminder for us all. (This is the New Living Translation.)

James 3
Controlling the Tongue

1 Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.

3 We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. 4 And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. 5 In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.
But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. 6 And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
7 People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. 10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! 11 Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? 12 Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.
True Wisdom Comes from God 13 If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, nonspiritual, and demonic. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.
17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

This chapter in BOTM (as with all of them) is such a good reminder for me that I need to be thankful in all things. That how I act can be a turn off or a turn on to my heavenly Father. If I seek to draw people to him, then I need to act in a manner that will cause others to want what He has to offer.

I got a nice compliment once. A friend at work asked me how my weekend was, and I said "It was great, how was yours?" She said "Lynn you always have great weekends!" That was so nice to know that I was portraying a positive outlook to the point it was noticed.

In all of this as a reminder to myself and to all of you. Watch what you meditate on, watch what you do and how you act, and watch what you say. Others are watching and what you do will affect them positive or negative. But most of all what you do will affect you, because God and the enemy are always watching too. Don't give the Devil even a crack to enter into your life. So with that being said, we need to look at our life, family, jobs, homes, children in a different light.

I used to have a post-it note on my desk for a reminder "K.M.S." It stood for Keep Mouth Shut. which is good, but it's not enough. If I am still grumbling and fault finding inside, eventually I will break down and blurt it out. What's in a mans heart will come out of his mouth. So I think I need to come up with another post-it, something to do with doing an attitude/heart check.

Father God help us! Help us to quit fault finding and pointing fingers. Help us to be more accepting of others and things that are not our way. Most of all help us to be more like you with mercy and grace and compassion for our fellow man. Help us to pray in faith for the things and people we feel need your guidance instead of ripping them to shreds. And Father have mercy on us when we fall short. In Jesus name, Amen

Have a very Merry Blessed Christmas everyone. Not sure when I'll post again could be later today may be tomorrow, or next week. I haven't been on a real schedule with this like I wanted to but that's okay. God Bless you all.

Lynn

Study With Me - Chapter 18

Hi I'm Back! I had to go to the dentist and then my youngest daughter stopped by with my 2yr old grandson so he and I had to play with the ball and eat crackers and make bubbles in the sink, and Mommy drifted off for a quick nap. Full time on swing shift, 2 youngsters and going to College part time catches up sometimes. :) Then we gently woke her up so she could go get big sister from pre-school.

Well in an effort to not let the devil rule me If I can't post two chapters during the week I will post two now, so with that being said I will start the next chapter. If you are trying to catch up chapter 17 is below.

And If you are coming here for the first time, I am hosting a study using the book "Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Meyers. Click the button on my side bar to go to the intro or join in anytime.

Chapter 18 - Wilderness Mentality #3

"Please make everything easy I can't take it if things is too hard"

I would guess that most of us have our limits and it is different for each of us how much we think we can handle. But God wants us to stretch ourselves so we can grow. He wants us to give it our all.

I heard a pastor say one time that for God to approve of the gift you were giving on His behalf, it needed to cost you to something. He gave the example of the widow giving her last two mites. She gave everything she had. We need to put our sweat, tears and heart into serving God. After all He did that for us and topped it off with His Son. Selah!

Someone came to me the other day and said he was sure he found a flaw in Gods word. (He said it half joking) I said oh whats that, he said "God said he wouldn't give you more than you could handle". God was so quick and so good I said it before I knew what came out of my mouth I said "Sounds like you're trying to handle everything on your own, instead of giving it to God, cause He can handle it all." I'd like to take credit but that was from God. :)

See nothing is to hard if we know when to put up, shut up and lift up, but not give up. Have any of you Mothers been in a hurry trying to get the children ready and you're running late and you are ever so gently speaking loudly to your children to get their socks and shoes on. When all the sudden they plop down on their butts on the floor start crying and say - But I can't do it! God shared that vision with me. That sometimes that's how He sees us - throwing our little fit. Meantime He could really use us to help him and we throw up our hands and say I can't. Ouch! Then next week we ask God, but why don't you ever use me? Hmm gee I'm not sure, I tried to by it was too hard. :) That principle is not limited to helping God it extends to every area of our lives. We we show ourselves worthy in one area, the we can move to another.

I was at a conference one time and I was really into the worship, I was singing and praising and praying - arms raised high. Tears were running down my face, not scrunched faced crying, just tender in the presence of God. My arms started aching, but I wanted to still be submissive to God and show Him I was surrendering to Him, so I said softly I'm still surrendering my arms just hurt. But before I could sing another word of the song, it was as if I heard an audible voice say in my spirit. "You don't have to put them back up but I stretched mine on a cross for you?" He wasn't trying to make me feel bad, just wanted me to think about how much we want, but how little we give. How easy we are to just give up. I put my arms back up. Not out of guilt or condemnation, but out of love and respect. When they first started to ache again, I told myself too bad I'm doing this for the Lord. Guess what, that was the last time I felt them.

Again our attitude will play a huge part of our success and failure in all that we do. Like the story above when I did it out of love, I had purposed to show Him honor. Had I been doing it to please the people around me or out of a feeling of obligation, it would have been easy to cave in.

Father help us to seek you when we feel weak. Show us that nothing is too hard when we lean on you. Remind us to use your word as our weapons to fight, when we are being bombarded and feel like giving up. We thank you and praise you for never never ever giving up on us, for never saying we were too hard of a task for you. Thank you! In Jesus Name. Amen

And remember when you don't feel like doing something - stop feeling yourself. :)

Be Blessed,

Lynn

Study With Me - Chapter 17

Hi everyone,
Well it seems like ever since I said I wanted to post a couple chapters a week I have been busier than normal. However, I will not let the devil win this battle so I will be posting at least 2 maybe more chapters today and you can read and enjoy them at your own pace. :)

If you are coming here for the first time, I am hosting a study using the book "Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Meyers. Click the button on my side bar to go to the intro for join in anytime.

Chapter 17 - Wilderness Mentality #2

"Someone do it for me I don't want to take the responsibility"

Well I don't care who you are at some point in all of our lives we have to choose whether or not to take responsibility for something or not. Sometimes we take it when we should, sometimes, we don't. Sometimes we take it when we shouldn't. Opps!

Now when something good, great or spectacular has happened, and the question is posed, "Who is the responsible party?" it's easy to draw a group of volunteers that want to take the responsibility. However when someone spills the milk, the beans, or there is a ill effect of any sort, the crowd tries very hard to fade into the wood work. Or perhaps we start the ever popular finger pointing contest. That seems to be a favorite past time that most all of us have partaken at least once in our life.

One of my favorite when I was younger, was to let everyone around me make the decisions, then if it didn't work, it wasn't my fault right? Wrong! I had my responsibility in the fact that I didn't stand up and make the decision that was right to begin with. Then to put icing on my little cake, I could play the martyr and victim card. Poor me look at what I've had to endure. Well God and I talked a lot and He agreed to grow me and make me strong, and I agreed I would take responsibility for my actions in every situation. Yes bad things have happened in my life, now what role did I play in allowing them to happen. Yes it hurts but it feels so good in the end.

Joyce often tells about a time when she was whining to God, "Why do other people get to do this or that and you won't let me?" God told her "Joyce you have asked me for a lot, do you want it or not?"

See God was showing her, with every blessing, comes a responsibility. And everything produces after its own kind. If we want a job, we need to work. If we want friends, we need to be a friend. If we want people to treat our children right, then we need to be kind to other peoples children.

Father,

Help us to see our part in everything. Show us how to accept our responsibility in everything we do. When we ask for things, help us to see what we will need to accomplish to have what we desire and the strength and determination to complete that which you give us. Father help us to be honest with you and ourselves. In Jesus Name, Amen

Be Blessed,

Lynn

Study with Me - Chapter 16

Hi Everyone, I hope you all had a very nice Thanksgiving. We had lots of food, children, grandchildren, and lots of love flowing. It was truly a wonderful day.

If you are coming here for the first time, I am hosting a study using the book "Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Meyers. Click the button on my side bar to go to the intro for join in anytime. So lets get started.

Chapter 16 - Wilderness Mentality #1

"My future is determined by my past and my present"

Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. - It really is that simple, and that hard. If you are stuck in the mindset that this is all you will ever be or have - you are right. But if you think you can conquer the world and have the best of everything - you are right. You can only go as far as your mind will allow you to go. You can not go beyond what you believe you can do. I know some one and they had family members that were brought up the same, but some raised their children in the slums and some went on to be very prosperous. When they asked their father why the others lived like that the Father explained, they were trapped in their minds. They could not see a better life for themselves so they didn't work for a better life.

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. If we don't study God's word and find out all the wonderful things that he has in store for us we could live a much lesser life than He wanted to give us. It's like someone putting a million dollars in the bank for us but if we never checked our account we could be hunting pop cans to buy milk for the baby. Find out what God wants to do for you.

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man]--blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he. Once we find out what God has in store for us and what He wants to do for us, then we need to start envisioning it for our lives. Believe and have faith that He will do for you all the things He has promised.

And one of the most important lessons in this is don't run back to the familiar. I think a lot of times we miss blessings and being used by God because we won't leave the comfort of where we are, good and bad. I say that knowing that there was a time in my life I was tempted to go back into an abusive relationship for the simple reason that even though it was bad, I knew what to expect. Thank God I didn't, but I know that there are others that have. God wants to use us all, but we need to be willing to have some change and moving in our life to make it happen.

We may need to leave our Egypt to see our promise land.

Father - Thank you for giving us courage to make the changes we need to. The vision to see a better life than we have now even if it is the best. Lead us and guide us. In Jesus name. Amen.

Have a Blessed Day!

Lynn

Study with Me Part 3

Hi Everyone

We are doing a study using Joyce Meyers book "Battlefield of the Mind". Each chapter is unique so you can pick up at any time or go back and start in the beginning by clicking the button on my side bar which will take you to the intro of the study.

Part 3 - Intro to Chapter 16 - Wilderness Mentalities

We all have them - those mindsets that hold us back, the strongholds, the roots of bitterness, grumbling complaining fault finding. We are where we are, because of our attitudes along the way of our journey. It is okay to visit some places, or let some things visit us, but where we abide (make our home, our abode) is where we root ourselves. Is this the garden you meant to live in?

After I read this book the first time, I was driving to work one day thinking about the children of Israel. I got on my high horse and was telling God how silly they were to take so long and not appreciate Him. All of the sudden God spoke to me and said "Lynn - How old are you"? Gulp 40!

"How long did it take you so really seek this intimate relationship with me"? Ooops! I climbed off my horse real quick. :)

See we all have something that we allow to hold us back. (Notice I said "We Allow") We have a choice to stay in our pity pool or get out. I am not saying by any means it is easy, I know! No really I know. I wanted to blame everyone and everything for the mess I was in, but ultimately I had to take responsibility for my part in the decisions I had made in my life that got me to that point. Things come at us and things happen to us, but how we react to them is where the battle is won or lost.

I was raped twice when I was 15. I allowed that to condition a lot of my thinking about myself and about men and about relationships, even my relationship with God. (How could he let this happen) But to truly heal, I had to go back and accept my responsibility in the situation. Not that it was my fault ("NO means NO!") or that it was right for them to do that too me, but being in the wrong places was my responsibility and my wrong thinking after the attack, was my responsibility. See attitudes unresolved, fester like a sliver. They cause the area around them to swell and become oversensitive. Pretty soon they create a substance that looks and smells foul. And until we poked or snip 0r squeeze that area to remove that sliver - attitude -mindset - stronghold, it will continue to handicap that area of our life. Take a few moments to look at the parallels of a foot that has a sliver and the stages it goes through including limping, with an attitude that is not corrected in a certain area. Ponder that a moment. See how and attitude can change the course of your life. Pretty amazing and scary huh?

The rest of the book will examine 10 different "Wilderness Mentalities". As we read through Gods word and this book. Seek to lay down the "stinking thinking" that holds you in bondage.

Father God, Thank you so much for your inspiration in our lives, thank you for the courage you give each of us as we dig to be honest with ourselves about our shortcomings. Help us to see areas that we need to change and attitudes that are wrong. Hug us and let us feel your love and mercy so we are not tempted to beat ourselves up from our mistakes.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Until next time,

Be Blessed!

Lynn

Study with Me - Chapter 15

Hi everyone,

We are doing a study using Joyce Meyers book "Battlefield of the Mind". Each chapter is unique so you can pick up at any time or go back and start in the beginning by clicking the button on my side bar which will take you to the intro of the study.

In reading this for the second time, I feel like it is fresh and new like I have never read it ever before. Then I realized - I haven't. I am right now who I have never been before. Each day as I continue in God's word, I am not the person I was yesterday let alone the person that read this book for the first time 4 years ago. There is so much fresh revelation and perspective because of where I am now in my life verses where I was 4 years ago, emotionally and spiritually. Which leads me into this chapter.

Chapter 15 - The Mind of Christ

First of all I want to ask, Do we want the mind of Christ? Why would we want the mind of Christ? When I thought about that, these are the first couple things that popped into my mind.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Okay so I think it is safe to say there might be some benefits to having the mind of Christ. So the next thing is how do we get it? You get to know God, by lining yourself up with his word.

Getting to know God is as simple as spending time with Him. Read the word, talk to Him, include Him in everything you do. He's there already, He sees you, but you need to interact with Him. Have you ever gone somewhere a meeting or social event and had to sit by someone that wouldn't talk to you. You can talk all night and they learn a great deal about you, but you know very little about them. That's how we are with God when we don't interact with Him. Now I know he has a head start on knowing us because he created us, but if we make time for Him, He will reveal Himself to us.

Take your spouse or a close friend for example, you have invested a lot of time and effort getting to know them. You didn't just meet one day exchange a list of likes and dislikes and poof you knew all about each other. Your relationship grew by spending time together. Sharing experiences good and bad together. You do all sorts of different things with each other to the point that you know what the other likes or doesn't. You learn their mannerisms, the way the talk what they think, what their responses are about things before they respond.

To me that is what it is like to have the Mind of Christ - in operation.

What we spend time doing and focusing on is what we will be proficient in. The more we spend time in God's word and fellowship with Him, the more we will begin to think and act like Him. Our focus is where we will eventually go to. Have you ever been driving and start gazing out the window? All the sudden you jerk the wheel to get yourself back in your lane. What happens is you will drift on the road and in life where you focus your attention and time. That's why it is important to meditate on God's word day and night.

Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

I also think to have and operate with the mind of Christ you need to have vision - a goal.

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man]--blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he.

See if we have a goal in mind, or a vision of what God has in store for us, it helps us to stay on the path to obtain that prize. When we loose focus of our vision, we give up and give in. Think about Jesus. He had a vision of what he had to do. He knew what the Fathers plan was. When Satan was trying to get him to bow down, he offered Jesus all kinds of enticing things. If Jesus hadn't had a vision of a much bigger picture He might have given in. What about Jesus going to the cross. His flesh didn't want to do it - he asked "Father if there is any other way" but he had a vision of the Fathers plan. What if Jesus had just given up and said, it's too hard I don't even know all these people you're trying to help. Let them hang on the cross for themselves. No he had a vision and focus of a much bigger picture.

We can never overcome the storms of this world, if all we think of and focus on is ourselves and our problems, and our circumstances. Again, what we focus on is what we will drift towards and become.

Spend time with God, include Him in your life, get to know what he would say and do and then say and do it yourself.

Father God, Thank you so much for being with each of us as we grow with new revelations each day. Help us to seek you in all we do. Give us a vision of our life and what you have in store for us and help us to stay focused on the right path. In Jesus name, Amen

I would like to post a couple of chapters a week to finish the study up by the end of the year. God has given me a couple of nudges for something new He would like me to do. But in being honest with myself I can't take on any more until I finish what I have. ( I am currently doing 3 studies not including when Rachel O. posts something) So My posts might be a little shorter, but not less heartfelt. I hope you are enjoying the insight that I am getting from the book and I hope God is doing a work in you as well.

Blessings,

Lynn

Study with Me - Chapter 13

Hello Everyone

Again if this is your first time here, I am hosting a Bible study using the book "Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Meyer. Jump in any time and comment or if you want you can go back and see what we have said in previous posts and chapters.

Chapter 13 A Judgmental, Critical and Suspicious Mind.

Well how did you like this chapter? I'm not sure I want to use the statement "I Think" anymore. :) As I read this chapter I noted some areas that still needed some work in my life and others I can finally count all joy. I can remember back to times when I felt any time someone brought up a subject I had to tell what I knew or thought I knew. See being insecure and a people-pleaser, I wanted to fix people. I was brought up to believe that if people needed you, they loved you. That lead to being used a lot in my life. I now understand the difference between want and need. Now I like to sit back and listen others and see what I can learn.

I'm not sure when it was that I learned the difference between discernment and judgement. That you can discern a persons character or a situation without being judgemental or causing a judgement. However I can look back and see how I have reaped from judgments I made earlier in my life. We will reap from the seeds we have sown in our life. God showed me that whether we speak something or not, the following phrase will not lead to good. "Well if that was me" or Well if I had .... I would....." It is easy for us to think we would handle any situation better, but we never know with all certainty what we would do if we were in the same place.

Why should we guard our hearts? What we think and ponder will get into our hearts, and will come out our mouths. See the more we ponder something the greater the chance we will act on it. Don't think that just thinking something is okay. God said to me one day "remember when you were a little girl, you would pray to me in your head and not out loud". "If you believed I heard those prayers why would I not hear your judgement and criticism that you are thinking now". Ouch!!

We need to not only learn to not say these things, we need to renew our minds to not think them either. We need to look at people around us with love and mercy. And when we come across the unlovely, (and we will) we need to pray for them and let God do the rest.

We have the opportunity several times a day, to criticize, and judge and it is very hard to not get sucked into it. Take some time these next few days to identify areas that cause you to be critical and judgemental. Ask God to bring them to your attention and help you to stop.

Father God we are learning so much about our thoughts and attitudes for ourselves and towards others. Show us the areas we need to change and give us the courage and strength to do so.

Thank you for your wisdom in our lives.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Have a great week

Be Blessed,

Lynn

Study with Me - Chapter 12

Hello everyone,

Well it's been a fun few weeks of traveling and vacationing (part of the reason why this took so long) but back home and time to get serious and committed about my studies again. The Joyce Meyers conference was great and had some real good time of fellowship with my buddy that ended up joining me. I will be posting more on what I learned from her in the future.

Well again if this is your first time here, I am hosting a Bible study using the book "Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Meyer. Jump in any time and comment or if you want you can go back and see what we have said in previous posts and chapters.

Chapter 12 - An Anxious and Worried Mind

What a great time for this chapter to come along. God's timing is great. With prices rising and jobs being cut it could be very easy for our flesh (our carnal being) to get in fear. Being worried and anxious can also cause us to take these cares on instead of giving them to God. What am I going to do about this? I have got to figure this out. If you look at both of those questions, it shows where our faith lies.... in I. Instead of focusing in the "am I" we need to being focusing on the almight "I am" - God.

1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. (nlt)

I once heard that when we try to do things on our own, or figure them out ourself, it is like telling God you can handle it better than He can. Ouch! Give the problem to Him.

Worrry will not stop coming to us, we will always be able to find something to worry about.

John 10:10 says : The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. (nlt)

We can't continue to focus on the storms of this life or what is going on in this world and expect God's blessings to flourish in our life. Where our focus is, is where our heart is, and where our faith is. We can however choose not to let it make a home in us. We can choose to trust God in and through the storms that come at us.

Read Matthew 14:22-33

Jesus Walks on Water 22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.
24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”
27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”
28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.
So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed. (nlt)

Notice how when Peter had his eyes on Jesus, he too could walk on water. However the moment he looked at the storm - he started sinking. We need to set our sights and focus on God, now more than ever.

Isaiah 55:8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. (nlt)

Over the next few days pay attention to worried thoughts and anxious thoughts that come to you. Purposely focus on giving them to God.

Father I thank you that you are more than enough for all of us. I ask that you help us identify parts of our lives that we are trying to fix on our own. Help us to release those areas and lean on you. I don't need to know how you will protect us, I just need to receive it. Thank you for your wisdom and discernment that you give to each of us.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Have a Blessed Week everyone!

Lynn

Study with Me - Chapter 10

Hi Everyone,
Well I know not all of you have had time to respond to chapter 9 but I will be with Joyce in person and won't have a lot of time to post. :) So please post your comments here or on chapter nine and I will check both.

Chapter 10 "A Confused Mind"

Well to some of us in this day and age a confused mind is the normal state of mind. But as we are informed with Gods word a confused mind is not normal at all. There are so many things that can cause us to be confused, but all of them stem from the enemy. Being confused is a type of being double minded, and in James 1:5-8 God tells us a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

A fearful, people pleasing person will often be confused and double minded because they are always trying to do what they think the other person wants.

Reasoning will also cause you to have a confused mind. Have you ever tried to reason and justify doing or not doing something? That is what we do when we try to line Gods word up with our actions instead of lining our actions up with Gods word. The carnal mind is an enemy to God. God is not logical, and often times will ask us to do things that do not make sense to us to stretch our faith and obedience to Himself.

To me reasoning is one step away from an excuse. When I first started to "Woman Up" and put on my "Big Girl" pants, I had to take responsibility for my actions and conform to Gods way. My flesh wanted to make excuses for why I did things or why I acted a certain way. Well God showed me that making an excuse was justifying my actions in my own mind, and as long as I did so I couldn't grow in Him. So then I would say "Well I know this doesn't excuse what I did, BUT this is the reason. Still hanging on to that flesh! Finally I can take the reason and instead of using it as a partial excuse I can so okay God - I do these things because - so change them in me.
I'm lining myself up with Him instead trying to get Gods word to fit me. I'm submitting to Him.

When there is confusion there is no peace, when there is no peace there is no God. God showed me that wisdom comes from Him. When we try to reason or figure things out on our own, we are doing it in our own strength and not His. We essentially are pushing Him out, saying we can handle and figure it out better on our own. By accepting our rationalizations and reasoning's, above His wisdom and discernment we are inadvertently saying our ways are better than Gods. Ouch. A busy cluttered mind has trouble hearing Gods still small voice. Quit trying to figure and reason, ask God for His wisdom.

Letting go of reasoning and people pleasing are things that have to be worked at. Lean on God and He will guide you where you need to go.

Father God, I thank you that we don't have to know it all. Thank you that we don't have to reason and wonder. Please give us you wisdom, help us to let it go and listen for your still small voice. Thank you for your peace that passes all understanding.
In Jesus Name, Amen.

Have a great weekend, I know I will.
Be Blessed - In His Love,
Lynn

More on Chapter 9

Hi Everyone,
Well I'm not sure if you are busy or waiting for me to post more. I am still having a hard time trying to decide what to post on this chapter. So I am going to start typing and see where it leads. :)

Father God help us discern you word, give us wisdom as we read and share your word.
In Jesus name Amen.

Well I'll start by telling you the funny that my Husband and I have when we know the other has drifted away while we are talking to each other. Years ago I came across a cartoon that had two frames. The 1st was a man scolding a dog and the caption stated "This is what we say to dogs: Ginger you were a very bad girl today and you need to go to your dog house right now Ginger, do you hear me?" The next frame stated "This is what dogs hear: Ginger Blah Blah, Ginger Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah. So the funny with my husband is when we fess up or when we catch the other we say "I didn't catch that - You know, Ginger blah blah." :) It's our little way of nicely showing we drifted without accusing the other of not caring or hurting the others feeling for not paying attention.

I believe wondering and wandering is something that we all have to deal with in one way or another. I also think the wondering can often be the prerequisite to wandering if left unchecked. As you wonder about something your mind (and body) will wander over there. Staying focused and dedicated to the task at hand takes determination and hard work. Daydreaming can be innocent enough and yet not. We have been learning through this study that where the mind goes the man follows. Where we allow our mind to drift to, is where our flesh will eventually follow.

Take for example someone that is trying to diet or quit a bad habit. The more you let you mind think and wonder about what ever you are trying to quit, the more your flesh cries out for it. Your flesh has a louder voice than you may know. Controlling what we think about and where we allow our minds to drift to, is a big part of our success.

I heard someone else teach on this one time and they said that the wanted to break themselves of wondering and do what God wanted them to do. They started with one thing at a time. One of the things they did was to go to the closet and instead of saying "I wonder what I should wear today?" They went to the closet and said "God tell me what to wear today."

We know that wondering and wandering can be bad for us, lets see how many ideas we can come up with on helping each other to stay focused and on task.

I will be leaving early Thursday morning for Dallas Fort Worth TX and then St Louis Mo for the Joyce Meyer Women's Conference. I will try to post the first part of Chapter 10 before I go.

Be Blessed,
Lynn

Study with Me - Chapter 9 "Kinda"

Hello Ladies,

Well normally on our family vacation Hubby goes golfing and I have time to read relax & shop. Well this year Hubby isn't golfing as much so we are vacationing together. Which is wonderful for me, not so good for the posting of the study. I have started to post Chapter 9 a couple of times and there are so many directions I want to go in, for the Wondering and Wandering, that I'm wondering what to post. :). If you have already read the chapter go ahead and post some thoughts and I will add more later.

Here are some really quick things to think about.

Where can wondering lead you? Good and Bad?
What types of wandering have you experienced and was it good or bad?

And did anyone relate to having a conversation with someone and then realizing you were somewhere else and didn't hear what they said? We have a funny little story about that in our house. I'll share later.

Miss you all and will catch up with you more later.

Be Blessed - We're having a great time.
Lynn

Study With Me - Part 2 - Intro and Chapter 8

Hello Everyone,

I hope everyone is doing well. I have some general news to catch you up on and then I will post the study. First of all I will be on vacation starting Tuesday (I did a post on my other Blog please check it out) But I will have my computer and free time to check blogs and post new lessons. Possibly more time to do so than now. Secondly I will come home from that vacation and go to Joyce Meyers Women's Conference in St. Louis MO. Now here are some big things and growths for me. The old me would not have ventured out on her own to go 1/2 across the USA to do this. I have never been this far East before. The only other thing that I have done like this is when my daughter was 9 I flew to CA and took her to Disney Land, met up with friends of ours for two days and then one day on our own. Now I will be meeting up with a friend, but when I started this journey it was on my own, I didn't know my friend would want to come. Third- if any of you reading this will be there, I would love to meet you. Okay enough about that lets say a prayer and do some highlights from Part 2 Intro and Chapter 8.

Father God, I praise you and thank you for all you are teaching us. I thank you for the growth that we are getting by the renewing of our minds. Help us to be strong and determined as we face the strongholds that have held us back. Lead us, guide us, direct us and correct us.
In Jesus Precious Name, Amen.

Conditions of the Mind and When is my Mind Normal?

I've often heard that everything is relative to what it is compared to. So if that is the case, when we ask the question "When is my mind Normal?" It would depend on what you are comparing it to. If you are often worried, anxious, depressed, or angry, then you could say that is "normal" for you to be like that. But if you are comparing your mind and thoughts to Gods word and wanting to renew your mind, it would not be normal for you to have those thoughts.

God wants us to be happy and free. He has a job for us here on earth and we will have a very difficult time doing it if we can't get over ourselves. (Oh I say that so big after having a pity party the other day-opps did I just tell on myself, oh well) But it's true. I have heard Pastors say so many times when asked "How do you do all this, and travel and raise a family?" And they answer, "I just don't focus on it." I've been having some real challenges lately with some dead lines and right before vacation too. So I have been really trying to lean on God and not focus on the mountain, just take one step at a time. I have actually said to myself, don't focus on that. :)

When I have a lot on my plate and things I need to get done, I will make "mental notes" which I have now started referring to as a "Post-it note for the brain". But the Lord was showing me as I went over this chapter. That my over flowing lists of things to do, (that are always way too long) doesn't always give him a place to be heard. The quiet calm mind, can receive incoming messages, new revelations.

In this fast paced world, with so many things to do, places to go and people to see, it is easy to keep our minds very stimulated. And if we aren't keeping it busy, the Devil does his best to fill it with lies and confusion.

As we have learned in our other chapters, we need to watch what we think about, break down strong holds and mind binding spirits and progress will come little by little.

In the next few days, purposely work at spending a few moments or minutes each day or several times a day, clearing your mind to hear from God.

I will post again shortly - God's going on vacation with me. :)

Be Blessed my Friends,

Lynn

Study with Me - Chapter 7

Hello Everyone-
To anyone that has just come here - Welcome! I am hosting a study using the book, "Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Meyers. Please join in any time. If you want to see my previous posts and comments click the "Study with Me" button on my side bar.

Hope you had a nice week. Mine was very busy but good. I leaned on God a lot and that was nice. Well what did you all think of Chapter 7 "Think about what you are Thinking About"
This is one of many very important areas of our lives, because we can literally guide our life with our thoughts. As we continue through this study it will become more and more clear how this can happen.

Father God thank you again for leading us and guiding us. Thank you for being in our midst as we dig into your word. Please give us Revelation on how we need to apply this to our lives. In Jesus name, Amen

Have you ever had a fight in your head before? Did you think, well when they say this I’m going to say that! Then I’m going to tell them blah blah blah. Then as soon as you come in contact with that person, they only have to say “Hi” and you blurt out everything you just rehearsed in your mind. If you don’t, it may have been a struggle not to let them have it with both barrels. Because along with all of the things you had rehearsed to say to them, you convinced yourself you had a right to do so. God shared with me “Lynn whether you like it or not, Thinking and Meditating is a rehearsal for your actions.” That’s why God tells us so many times to make our meditations pure.
Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.

Joyce looked up meditate in the dictionary, but I looked up a couple more here (Merriam-Webster online) and want to share what it had to say:

Rehearsal:
1: something recounted or told again .
2 a: a private performance or practice session preparatory to a public appearance b: a practice exercise

Plan:
1: a drawing or diagram drawn on a plane: as a: a top or horizontal view of an object b: a large-scale map of a small area
2 a: a method for achieving an end b: an often customary method of doing something : a detailed formulation of a program of action d: Goal or Aim
3: an orderly arrangement of parts of an overall design or objective4: a detailed program (as for payment or the provision of some service)

Meditate:
1 : a discourse intended to express its author's reflections or to guide others in contemplation
2 : the act or process of meditating.
Meditating:
1 : to engage in contemplation or reflection
2 : to engage in mental exercise (as concentration on one's breathing or repetition of a mantra) for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness transitive
Verb: 1 : to focus one's thoughts on : reflect on or ponder over 2 : to plan or project in the mind : (Intend or Purpose)

So if thinking and meditating is a rehearsal for our actions, what we allow ourselves to think about can be a blueprint to our future. If we want success with anything in life we need to put the time into it. This will work in the natural as well as the supernatural. Tiger Woods (The worlds best Golfer) may have natural talent, however he did not become the best by thinking about swimming all the time. No along with practicing, he meditates on golf day and night.
Look at Joshua 1:8
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

You know I hadn't really Pondered and Meditated on that scripture, but it really says it all. :)

Now not everything will come over night. It took us how many years to get where we are, it may take us a day or two to get out of this mess. One of our readers did a post about "Practice makes Perfect, and Joyce has that in the book. Keep practicing on bridling those thoughts, and those words. Keep practicing by reading and studying the word. Day by day you will see little changes. One day you may be driving along and someone cuts you off and you say "Oh Oh that was dangerous, God watch over that person and help them to slow down, in Jesus Name". where as your former self may have said something quite the contrary. :)

So what do you want to be good at? What do you want your life to be like? Set that vision in motion with your thoughts.

Be Blessed
Lynn

Study with Me - Chapter 6

Hi Ladies and Happy Labors Day. I hope you have the day off and are relaxing, however I will be working. Oh well I have lots of benefits at my job so I'm not complaining. Sounds like you are enjoying this book as much as I do and I'm glad. You know how it is when something really touches and you're excited and want to share, that is this book. Chapter 6 is not as long, but still has a very important message. So lets get started

Father we are gathering together again to study your word. Give us wisdom and fresh revelations on renewing our minds. In Jesus name Amen.

Chapter 6 - Mind Binding Spirits

Those little bu t devastating attacks. That voice in your head, "You're not worthy", "You're not smart", "That wasn't God - that was you", "Who do you think you are?" "God's not going to give you a word of knowledge, there are thousands of people out there that know the word way more than you do". "You have screwed up way too much for God to talk to you."

Sound familiar anyone?

It's a bunch of garbage, lies from the pit of Hades. God has a whole book of promises called the Bible. Those promises are for "Who so ever believes" - then BELIEVE! We are working to renew our minds and flush out the garbage. I've heard the best way to get weeds out of our lawn is to over seed, grow more grass and the grass chokes out the weeds. Well we need to choke out the mined Binding weeds in our brains and the best way to do that is by over seeding our brains with the word of God.

Joyce gave a lot of good scriptures in the book and I would like to add a few for us to meditate on.

John 14:1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God trust also in me."

Psalm 31:24 Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD

Philippians 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

Hebrews 10:35-36 35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

Psalm 119:165 165 Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble.

Isaiah 50:7 7 “ For the Lord GOD will help Me; Therefore I will not be disgraced; Therefore I have set My face like a flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Romans 8:38-39 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Now here are a couple of scriptures that I want us to confess over ourselves as much as we can but a least once a day. They have been modified to personalize them.

John 14:27 Peace Jesus left with ME, not the worlds peace He gave ME, Let MY heart not be troubled neither will I be afraid.

Galatians 1:9 I will not grow weary in well doing, for in due season I will reap if I do not lose heart.

Listen, God knows the most about each and every one of us. Even if we don't talk to Him about some areas of our life He knows them, and He chose us anyway. Don't let the voices of Mind Binding Spirits have a place in your life.

Be Blessed,

Lynn