I Just Assumed...not any more!

I met a new friend this past week and in our "get to know" moment as we shared our story, a sentence came out of my mouth I had never thought of before and certainly had never said. I can only assume it was a God moment. Sometimes my assumption are right. Sometimes they are wrong.
Being the new (guy) gal in the community, I have been asked close to hundred times now, "What's your story? Why are you here?" Each time I get to share, God reminds me of His plan and the perfection of His timing. Last week was really no different...same testimony, different new friend. After sharing the summary of details and God's divine leading us in our move to Florida, I said these "crazy" words as a summery point of how God has been working on me over the past several years. This phrase came out my mouth for the first time... Assumptive Living. Assumptive Living. I said, "God has taken me from living a life of assumptive living to intentional living." I sat kinda of dumb founded for a minute trying to process why in the world did I just say that. 
Over the past several years, God has been walking me though Intentional Living. So much so, he even brought a dear Mentor and Friend into my life who actually used those words every time she talked. God could not have been obvious. She was a huge part of the refining process my heart and mind needed to endure and be shaped by. Knowing why I do what I do. Choosing to own my actions and not play the blame game in life. Stepping out in courage after the things God calls me to. Being intentional about growing in my knowledge and deepening my love with my Savior and Abba Father. But the years before this....not so much. I intentionally...assumed.
I have always described my personality issues as anxious and shy. One who fears the unknown, a follower not a leader. But then there were these words...Assumptive Living...wow. It was true. I had never thought about that before. For most of my life, I have been fearful and anxious. I feel it inside me, raised blood pressure and heart racing, feeling as if I couldn't breath. Double checking everything I do in fear of judgement, which would lead to fear of rejection. Ever watchful of my surrounding, fearful of personal harm to me or my kids. Choosing to always follow to avoid failing. Avoiding others or opportunities felt safer to me than putting myself out there. I assumed the worst. I assumed. There it was. Assumptive Living.
If we go through life assuming we will fail, we will never try. We will never accomplish what we have been called to do. If we assume rejection, we will never have victory or courage to embrace and enjoy meaning relationships and friendships or partnerships in the work place. If we assume someone is always looking to harm us or one of our loved ones, we will never fully appreciate the beauty of God's creation. We will see so narrowly, that we miss the big picture. What kind of life is Assumptive Living? I will tell you. 
It's one thing to assume the worst and plan for the worst verses planning for the worst and hoping for the best. I realize now in hindsight how much anxiety and fear I self-created simply by assuming. How I must have grieved the heart of God with how I lived so wrongly fearful and anxious...never resting in His arms or grasping my identity in His Name. Oh the power I didn't claim, the grace I rejected, the blessings I missed. Something no one else knew, and I didn't even recognize myself back then. Thank God, His mercies are new every morning! Lamentation 3!! Looking back, my identity was not His...
I assumed I wouldn't be successful. Inadequate
I assumed I was making wrong choices. Doubting
I assumed my friend would not like me once they got to know me. Insecure
I assumed everyone else must be right, assuming they must be more intelligent or talented than I. Minimal 
I assumed I was the "lesser than" of the group. Pitiful
I assumed others could do it better, whatever "it" was at the time. Dumb
I assumed my husband would find other women sexier than me. Ugly
I assumed other parents has mastered this thing called parenting. Judgement
I assumed all the other Stay At Home Moms had perfectly cleaned house and dinner prepped for week on Sunday and all their clothes were in their rightful place. Comparison
I just assumed everything, even spiritually....
I assumed God loved me because that is what I had been taught in every church, in every Bible study, at every conference. 
I assumed and hoped He would always be with me. 
I assumed and hoped He would give me Peace when I needed it. 
I assumed and hoped He would be my Rock, my Comfort, my Healer.
Seriously, what a horrible way to live! Assuming everything...not knowing anything except doubt and fear, always hoping for being right. With a smile always on my face, no one could have known, and even today, people don't see the splinters, scars and thorns. Grace, Grace, Amazing Grace!!!! I have learned to receive Grace. I have learned not only Who God is personally, but who that makes me as His child. What an amazing feeling inside your soul when you know that you know. When someone asks you why, and you can confidently give an answer to the hope and the reason of your life.
God, gracious and gentle, looooong suffering over me, for sure, gave me the opportunity to get over living life assumptively. Through a season of panic attacks and anxiety attacks, I had to do some deep heart, soul, mind and spirit searching! 
I assumed I could handle life controlling myself, my circumstances and others. Here is where I learned my assumptions were all wrong. 
I assumed the life I was trying so hard to be perfect at would be the best life. Wrong! My best life has been lived ever since. The best life is living an intentional life!
How great to walk through a day nervous, sure. Feeling a little insecure, sure....yet doing life anyway! I certainly haven't arrived, and I still find thorns to pull out of my flesh at times, but how grateful I am to get the chance to have a do-over in this life! Every day I get to be more intentional! Thank You Lord for being steadfastly intentional for me!!
I know that I know God has a plan to prosper me and not harm me. Jeremiah 29
I know that I know He will never leave me. Deuteronomy 31
I know that I know He forgives me, loves me and hears me. John 3
I know that I know He is the Orchestrator of my life, leading me in my endeavors, my relationships, in my parenting, friendships, service, ministry, etc. Isaiah 40
I know that I know nothing escapes His care or His provision. 
Yes, bad things will still happen this side of eternity, but I know that I know I am Redeemed by the Great I Am. I am protected by The King of Kings. I am not a loss cause. I am not alone. I know that I know He hears my cries and my prayers and rejoices in my accomplishments even if I have failed the 10 times before. 
I know that I know God loves every single one of us and has a divinely great plan for a beautiful life, free of....assumptions!
If this is you too, (I am assuming I am not the only one who has been here), don't assume another day. Live fully, embracing each day's plan and grace for every moment. Be intentional in knowing what it is you need to get your head and heart wrapped around, to bring glory to the One Intentional God. How? Let go of being in control and Trust The Only Faithful and Steadfast One. Surrender your fears and assumptions into Hope Himself. You must be in His Word. You must pray and talk to Him, learning to listen for His voice. How else will you know Him? It was through digging into His Word searching for Him, worshiping Him in truth, not feeling. Praying in petition and in waiting for His response. It was remembering Who was in charge of my life, the comings and goings, the direction and the provision of every day. Calling out to The One I knew heard me, saw me and held me. Knowing in my head the Truth while embracing the Heart of The One who held mine together. It was remembering that God was ultimately in control and I needed to trust Him, loving Him above all else, with all my heart and might.
Life is best lived, intentionally living and loving, giving life and blessings, while receiving life and blessings!! Life is good because God is good! Hallelujah!!!!!
Thank You Lord for intentionally creating the world, and all that is within it, seen and unseen. Thank You for the grace You alone cover us with so that we can work out our insecurities, inadequacies, our callings for Your glory this side of Heaven. May we never assume Your love, mercy, forgiveness, peace, comfort. May we never assume Your grace will run out. Help us in our minds to embrace the knowledge of who You are and help our hearts to grasp how deep and wide Your love for us is. God, we are so sorry for taking the weight of burdens in this life upon our own shoulders. May we call to mind Your love and friendship that are never ceasing. Thank You for Your Word to teach us what we need to know. Thank You for your friendship and Fatherhood that proves it. Thank You Holy Spirit for leading us, encouraging us, prompting us to remember and to worship in truth! You are a great, great God...I know that I know this is true!! Bless Your Holy Name, amen.

Psalm 57, "Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.  

I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me.
God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness! My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down amid fiery beasts-- the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!

Let your glory be over all the earth! They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my way, but they have fallen into it themselves.
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody! Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!"

Life without Blinders

 

It's the culture we live in. Selfies. Groupies. Look at Mes. We know that people are watching us, and we choose to freely post about ourselves all the while hoping people aren't judging us or making fun of us. Deep in our hearts, we worry what they might think of us. We all want the "Like."
For a shy and fear-rejection girl, it is easier for me to be more vulnerable and write out my heart's thoughts behind a screen than to have to speak them out loud and face to face. This is the main reason I blog. So many people I meet don't believe me when I say I am shy. I am in introverted extrovert! I love people, but no in loud, large groups. I love experiencing new places, but not alone. I prefer to co-captain than captain. I love to talk to people, but not from a stage or with a microphone. When you write, you have the opportunity to edit and delete. Verbally, there are no edits. That terrifies me. I could talk about the Lord for hours upon hours and would host a retreat every month if I could centered on Him, but I can not last more than 5 minutes making small talk. I know, sounds peculiar. I am. I am okay with that. I enjoy the freedom of living in my quirkiness! It just used to always be that way.
God created us masterfully and with intelligence to strive for more...more of Him. Very few people would probably say they prefer to be last, or seen as a failure. We all desire acceptance in our hearts. The problem comes when we live our life fearing the judgement more of man, allowing others to dictate our every life choice, often choosing to walk the path others expect us to rather than walking the path laid out for us by a Holy God, the Creator of the Universe, and us.
The urge to please and be accepted by others is especially strong for those of us who struggle with insecurities and anxiety. We already are a nervous wreck that we are making wrong choices and then we add the pressure to be approved by others, and to top it off, we want to walk by faith, desiring to please God and honor Him in all our choices, and yet the fear of judgment of others is almost too much for our faith walk. So, we pray ourselves up, put on the proverbial blinders and sting in the face of adversity with courage enough to do whatever we have been called to do. Our friends tell us to "close our eyes," block everyone out, picture everyone else in their pjs (or naked, of which I could never do!) Basically, put on the blinders like you would on a horse so you don't get spooked by passer-bys.  
But I got to thinking about it and I am not sure that we are the ones to pretend to put on the blinders. What if we pretend that everyone else has blinders, so they cannot see you!?! Why would I wear the blinders to block them out? How will my footing be sure? How will I fully live in the moment seeing, touching, smelling, placing myself rightly if I have blinders on? Why not imagine everyone else wearing their blinders towards me? Then, I can fully live out my call, my moment, my day, my work, my ministry as I see, feel, believe I should....by faith?! Oh the freedom there is not worrying what others think of you! 
Our lives are lived out before millions of others over the course of our life and yet the only One truly watching us is God! The only One we should be concerned with pleasing is God. He loves us unconditionally, and accepts us as His child, so even if we make a mistake, He still extends His arms of grace and compassion out to us. 
This is my next step in my call to encourage and to simply live my life...eyes open, heart sharing, feet moving, hands writing, ministry reaching, mouth speaking, life blessing, soul searching, spirit worshiping all before The One who has His ever watching eye, ready to catch me, lead me, protect me, shield me, rescue me from the enemy of lies.
God, forgive us for worrying more about the opinions of others over Yours. Give me the confidence to take off my blinders and walk eyes wide open after You! Help us to live boldly in the body, mind and soul and strength You have given us. Help us to see clearly where You are leading, may we follow You faithfully and courageously. God, for me personally, thank You for the gift of being able to blog and share with others the Living Hope and Joy You give. I confess I have hidden often from sharing verbally out of fear of judgement and rejection, so please continue to grow me and increase my faith and my ability to accomplish all things in Your Name without fear. In my weakness, You are strong. I believe You. Be my Light and Lamp every step, every day in every way. Thank You O Lord, My Rock and My God!!! Amen

Here's our family Groupie!!

"For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness. 

For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. 

This God--his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

 For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?--

 the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. 

 He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. 

He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 

You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great.

 You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip.

 I pursued my enemies and overtook them, and did not turn back till they were consumed." Psalm 18:28-37 ESV 

More than "Just a Blogger"

Today is the day, although if I am honest, there have been lots of "Today is the day's!" It happens to all of us. We build up our courage or resources and we buckled down, put the metal to the pedal, and move forward into our next project or declaration. 
When people ask me what do you do? I mention the fact I am a Mom of 4, I've been married going on 23 years, and my greatest hobbies are photography and blogging. I'm a girl easily entertained by the aweness of God, so I probably spend just as much time and energy watching dolphins, sunsets, people-watching, studying/reading, learning, sipping on my coffee watching the clouds take their funny forms, and put animals in front of me...hours of delight, especially a horse, oh they are beautiful! Did I mention Pinterest surfing?!? It's why I own a staple gun and super-glue! I find just about everything picture worthy! Thank God for digital cameras!! 500 pictures for one event is enough right? (lol)
I have been blogging and Facebooking since 2009. It was birthed out of a huge face plant before the Lord who graciously extended His hand and showed me His heart for me. For years people have said to me "You should write a book...You should write a devotional...You should share your testimony more." I have felt this too deep down in my heart, along with facilitating small retreats where real connections are made...But there are soooo many already published devotionals and wonderful speakers, women's ministry leaders, retreat leaders...Who do I think I am to "compete" with them? Who do I think I am to even possibly fit into a public ministry? What could I possibly say that hasn't already been said? Besides, I am so shy and nervous in front of others, my face turns red as Rudolph's nose and my heart pops around like a pan of popcorn. So, here in my own private little world, I blog, share, talk and retreat. I do not have published articles. I do not have published books. I do not have a 2016 Speaking Schedule, which...what a relief. I am not searching for a review of my newest book where I am sure to find all the red marks highlighted for all to see. But one day...for the sake of spreading His great Love, Redemption and Hope...maybe starting today, I will reach another discouraged soul and turn her towards Living Hope!! He is right there!! He is waiting!! God, give us Your eyes to see and hearts to feel! 
My husband is quick to jump into my introductions, "She's an awesome Encourager, Writer and Photographer!! You should see her stuff. Go to her blog. Read her Facebook." Red faced, heart popping, I smile shaking my head, rolling my eyes and write down the address. I am not one to like the attention and am happy to let the spotlight be on my outgoing husband or one of my cute kiddos, however, God is asking me now to move out of the shadows a little more and give Him a little more Light. You may be one of those new friends, let me say Hello and Thanks for stopping by to take a lookie-see. You will not find in here some prophetic word, deep theological studies, words worthy of memorizing. What I do hope you find is encouragement. Whether you are an "old" Believer, new Believer, whether you are on fire for the Lord serving Him already or if you are the one worn out and one step away from thinking you're gonna break...may you find God's heart message to you through mine. 
For those that really know me, you know I am shy by nature, conservative vs being a risk-taker, anxious and cautious, and I have struggled most of my life with the feeling of less than or inadequacy. I don't compare to anyone, there's not that much to compare truthfully. My life is simple, quiet and full of failures, fears...and faith! Faith that turns quickly into a passion for worship, seeking God's heart daily, and loving others through practical help and encouragement in His Name. I'm not a missionary. I am not on staff at a church. I am just a girl who desires to encourage others into their own walk Where Faith Is. We cannot live by logic. We must live by Love and I simply want to share that Love!
I have lived most of my life fearful of failure and others finding out how little there is about me, and yet today, I desire more than life itself, to share my heart and the Hope I have found in Christ Jesus with others. My fear is disappointing God by not trusting Him enough to carry me through the rejection of others, and less about being perfect. 
I know my life is not about me and my issues rather I pray my life is a testimony of God's grace, strength, power and satisfaction. He is my most intimate relationship, worthy of all my praise. I have found that the trials in our lives are not to punish us, but to push us to the place we ought to be, be it greater faith, courage, humility, compassion towards others. 
My imperfect life is gathered and held together by an amazing perfect God who makes my heart pop with gladness and joy! Fear is a thorn in my flesh, but God is my Healing strength. Inadequacy belittles me yet my precious God lifts me up higher. I look in the mirror and see a red-faced, big ear, big nose girl with not much to offer anyone else, but then God shows up and I see His red blood that covers me. I see His heart that pops for me! 
Be encouraged, you are not alone in your journey. God is ready to use your mess, your shyness, your loudness to show off His glorious Love!! Go Where Faith Is!!!
"One day He got into a boat with His disciples, and He said to them, "Let us go across to the other side of the lake." So they set out, and as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger.
And they went and woke Him, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" And He awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm.
He said to them, "Where is your faith?" And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that He commands even winds and water, and they obey Him?" Luke 8:22-25

"Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." James 5:8b 

Growing Like an Orchid

My heart goes out to several friends who are walking through some very stressful times right now, in their marriages and in their bodies. This blog is for you, eventhough a hug and a box of chocolates shared over a cup of coffee would have been the best, I pray these words will be still be an encouragement to your hurting hearts. Meanwhile, hugs and prayers being sent and chocolate being eaten on your behalf.

Last week in our small group, my friend and I got to talking to a guy whom I will call the Orchid King. He has a passion for orchids and was explaining all the different species to me which I found very interesting. While I have orchids in my yard, I am just learning how to care for them. They bloom at various times and each one on it's own schedule. The humidity and rain here in Florida provide perfect conditions for them to thrive, except they still need attention. Left alone, they dwindle a little and produce on occasion whereas I see other friend's plants blossoming colorful, bountiful blooms.  The Orchid King explained how he takes care of his orchids so they are the healthiest and most beautifully grown.
Here is what he said to us, "Orchids can become couch potatoes if you let them. They will just sit there stagnant and think to themselves 'I've got all I need' and they will soak in the sun and basically just be lazy and produce status quo. Because of this, sometimes I will water them a little less and fertilize them less so that they get uncomfortable. It makes them stress a little so they get a little desperate for additional nourishment. When they take in the extra water and nourishment, they produce more blooms. It makes them healthier and more beautiful. So, I like to stress them out, then watch them grow."  
My friend turned and looked at me and we both just nodded, we both got it at the same moment. This was something we had been recently discussing. God...not orchids! She said, You know you gotta blog this right?!? So, here it is! (This is for you B! Thanks for your continued support of my writing.) We both said it, "The Vine and the branches!" referring to  to John 15:1-2:

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 

Every branch in me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit." 

But there are so many other examples of this in the Scriptures:

"...for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part." 2 Corinthians 8:2 ESV

"Let them thank the LORD for His steadfast love, for His wondrous works to the children of man! 

For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things." Psalm 107:8-9 ESV

"

When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and obey him. 

For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath." Deuteronomy 4:30-31 NIV

And this is why:

"

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 

who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV

"

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. 

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:15-18 NIV

Just as the old saying goes, When life hands us lemons, we make lemonade. I'd like to add: When God hands us trials, we make testimonies! Our lives are not our own in the sense of it's meaning. We are here for divine purpose. To love and serve God, bringing Him glory through our hearts lived in Him and to love and serve others from the hearts overflowing in grace.

Trials are neither fun or forever. Every season comes to an end, eventually. As we walk through these seemingly long, droughtful, dreadful desserts, God takes what is seen, working the unseen. Behind every trial there is a testimony being built and refined. I know, why can't we just read about trials and how they make us stronger, and read about how great and grand our God is and believe it?! I mean, really, isn't that enough, to know that God is Healer, Helper, Redeemer, Mighty to Save?!? Apparently not. God wants us to know-know Him. 

Humans obviously need experience plus knowledge in order to understand something fully. We need the intangible to be tangible. So how can an invisible God be seen? How can we know Him beyond knowledge? It's that moment our heart sees the God of our head. When the description of God becomes our desperation. When illustration becomes the illumination. It is here we grow in grace and demonstrate the glory of an amazing God.

The entire Bible is full of lessons learned, testimonies of people and places, trials and wanderings, rejections and redemptions. It wasn't enough for people to hear about Jesus, the coming Messiah. They had to see proof and experience Him personally. Eventhough we cannot see Christ Himself today, we can still experience Him and feel His presence. He is tangible today! Whether we are on life's mountain-top experiencing joy and awe or we are crumpled on the valley floor, it is here in life we come to know this tangible God. 

Our afflictions make us desperate and hungry to seek nourishment. When our stressed, dry bones receive this much needed nourishment, we grow beautiful blooms, on display for all to see. Our lives testify to His greatness and we are made stronger in the midst of it. 

Reading a book about Marriage or Parenting, or something simple like driving or sewing, swimming or fishing, how to blog (lol), explains to me how to start it off, and gives me an idea of how it should be done...but until you experience it for yourself, you cannot fully comprehend what marriage, parenting...driving a car, etc really is. 

When I am struggling in an area, I will find someone who has been there and done that, to mentor me. Out of the comfort they once received, they can now comfort me. They know exactly what I am going through and know the exact nourishment I need. The bestest of friends are the ones who see you are 

hungry and don't just tell you "You should go eat something," they actually bring you something to eat; the ones who see sorrow in your soul and bring you testimony of hope, not just a tissue. Until I went through my first miscarriage or my first birth, or first panic attack, I could not have been able to sympathize or relate to someone else who has on a deep level, to know what they are thinking or feeling. I can now. I can see it in their eyes. I can hear their heart's cry and their souls need for nourishment. Out of my affliction, I can share my affirmation of a steadfast and faithful God. This is why I blog. To share out of my heart what I see in Him, because of Him, what He has done for me and in me. So that...He may receive all the glory. It won't be the best writing you have ever read, but I pray it is always about the best One and Only God you could ever know!! 

The Great I Am, the Alpha and Omega has not left us here to be lazy couch potatoes, blooming on occasion for us to take a few nice selfies. Our God is a big God. He sometimes holds back all we want so we can have all we need! Season to season, He prunes us and restores us! 

My Prayer: Bless our hearts Lord so we can bless Yours. May all glory be on You, the Gardner of our soul. Open our eyes Lord to those hurting so that we can bring them the Comfort we too have received when our spirits too were crushed. Grow us in grace and gratitude that we may boast in You. Thank You for the trials that keep us from being lazy or selfish. Strengthen us in Your Name when we are made weak, so that we can boast in Your glorious strength. It is written, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9. May it be so. Amen.

Don't Be A Stupid Fish

Little Barracuda and his little followers.

Last week, I went with my husband to the local beach so he could do his swim oceanside. I provided moral support and visual along with first aid back up in case of any issues he might encounter. (Basically, I followed him along the shore line and watched! LOL) We came up on a little rock patch swarming with a school of fish and one Alpha, apparently hungry, Barracuda. He was no more than 12" long. (They can get as huge as my 8 year old!) He was stealth, slowly gliding through the water. It was obvious he was stalking the little fish but they didn't seem to care. Mr Barracuda would swim a circle, the little fish following after him, and then he would u-turn into them and then WHAP, he snatched one by it's tail. The rest of the fish briefly scattered only to slowly return as their "friend" fought desperately to escape the entrapment he currently found himself in. He had been lulled into a trusting little swim-along, only for the one he was following to turn on him and bite him in the backside! Literally! 
Why oh why would the fish hang out with their killer?! I am not a fish expect by any means but one thing I have observed is that fish are convenience scoundrels. They are easily enticed by bits of food tossed their way. When a fish is captured, other fish, shark, and rays come from all over to take advantage of the scraps, and sometimes the captured fish puts up a good fight and gets away with minor scars while other fish aren't so lucky. They can be quickly devoured by a larger fish. 
I'm thinking to myself What a stupid fish!! Stop following the guy trying to eat you! I know you want his scraps, but the scraps may be you!! Then I felt the words of my spirit, We are all stupid fish, enticed by convenience, following after easy bits, willing to risk being captured, hoping you could escape the clutch of death if you ever got caught. Oh. True.
We certainly can be stupid fish too! We chase after what's easier, what convenient, without counting the costs or thinking we can escape being captured or caught. Each of us are enticed by something different and the evil one knows exactly what it is and he is happy to swim around with you and toss you a few scarps of delicious whatever so you will keep following along, until he turns on you and takes you! God also knows what your weakness and temptations are and that is why He went to the Cross and rose again on the 3rd day, to conquer death and give us victory over it!! 
I know there are a bagillion whatevers in this world that entice us, but most recently the topic and issue of lust and pornography has come up so I thought I would specifically address this bait.
Again, I am neither a Fish Major or a Psychology Major, but I can tell you this...it starts with bait: moments of seeing something that appeals to you. In that moment, as you watch it glisten in front of you, you have the choice to follow after it, or flee from it. If we follow it, it will only continue to entice and lull us into a false sense of safety as we enjoy tasty little morsels. We are convinced nothing serious seems to be happening, besides, we haven't gotten caught....yet. So we follow. Or, remembering it leads to death, you turn the other way and take no chances. 

Is it hard to walk away from the shimmer of beautiful bait? Yes. 

But can you walk away? Yes. 

Should you walk away? Yes. 

Should you take a chance and hope for the best, believing you won't 

be the one to get caught? Absolutely not! 

What we forget to remember is that purity in our hearts, minds, souls and spirits in the overcoming power of temptation is waaaaaay more exciting, thrilling and satisfying than any sin we could ever join in. 
The pornography industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. Sex sells. Every man (and woman) is enticed by sexual temptation from commercials, media outlets, sporting events, programs, to the apparel industry's choice of clothing, to those intentionally playing the role of Barracudas, lulling false hope and fulfillment to their potential followers. We must remain strong and quickly flee these murky waters. Each one of sees the bait but each one of us has the choice to go after it or flee from it. The damage done when we take the bait is devastating not only to a marriage, but to the family and even the friends who will eventually be touched by the consequences and especially to our Lord who stands strong enough to save us from becoming prey in the first place. So what do we do when a bait is cast before us? I could get all spiritual or all emotional here but I pray it's practical application through the grace of God from a sinful woman's testimony and understanding. (That would be me of course!)

1. Admit it and Own it! Immediately recognize it as your bait. One walk through a local bait and tackle store, and you will quickly learn there are hundreds of choices, each one for a specific fish. Do not attempt to minimize your shimmering bait, justify it or excuse it as someone else's. Your wife/husband/friend did not make you to take "it." (A topic for another blog-day right here!) Own it as the bait the evil one lined up for you and be honest about where it came from. Do not lie to yourself. Take your thoughts captive and hold them up to the Light of Truth. It won't be just a quick glance, one time, just noticing, have to, couldn't help noticing, curiosity, etc. Call it what it is. 
2. Confess! Immediately walk away in the Name of Jesus. The risk is defilement not to just you and those you love, but to a Holy God who already made a way for you to turn away and walk in righteousness. If you keep following it, it will turn around and bit you in the backside and even if you are able to get away the first time or two, you won't go unharmed. God loves you too much to allow you to participate in death's games. He has come to give you Life! The world, yes even in church, is full of temptations (lust or otherwise-greed, pride, gossip, etc) but we must not join with it. If you cannot be the Light, run to a bigger Light!
Unless we walk around in a bubble, we will encounter it every day, in school, at work, in church. Sometimes, we cannot just turn off the TV or close the magazine or shut off the computer. We must look away, look down, change seats, change jobs, whatever it takes. These are things that must be done whether you are in church, at a friend's house, in meetings, at the beach, at the movies...anywhere we are enticed to focus on the bait. 
If a woman with a low cut blouse, or a young girl with a short skirt in front of you is causing you to notice her more than the words on the screen or the Preacher/Instructor, or if the man has on a tight shirt and is flirting with you, or if a conversation stirs hatred, jealousy, lustful thoughts, etc. you have a choice...simply move away from them in conversation, or look away or move seats. 
3. Repent! Guilt and Shame are much heavier burdens than the cost taking a stand and fleeing would be. Sometimes just maintaing eye contact is good enough, sometimes it isn't. Sometimes closing our eyes or looking down helps for a moment, but not always. For each of us, what we must do, is what we must do to honor the Lord and our spouse and ourselves. We must turn away from that which entices us, for the sake of Christ.
*While I am specifically referring to the issue of lust, these same principles apply to any other bait...a group of friends gossiping or talking badly about their spouse...foul mouth friends, drinking friends, noticing the "hottie" standing nearby friends, justifying friends, prideful bragging friends...and honestly, even if it isn't a friend engaging in sin, but you being there in that moment is causing you to want to engage in sin, then, you have a choice to justify remaining or turn and flee. 
Example I tell my kids: A beautiful woman is not sinning just because she is gorgeous but you are sinning if you are lusting after her. If your friends are searching YouTube or pointing out hot girls walking by, you can change the subject and bring purity into the group or you can remove yourself from them in that moment. Same applies for us adults. 
Example 2: listening to another couple's loving marriage story of the day while yours is anything but loving may stir feelings of jealousy and at the same time create new hatred towards your seemingly lacking spouse...you should change the conversation or leave. If we had purity of heart and strength in the first place, we would see the reflection of God through them as the glue and seek their wisdom in how you too can have the same unity and love in your own marriage. It all starts with the smallest beginnings in our heart.
Example 3: it is not a sin to drink however if you are a newly recovering alcoholic and your friend invites you to a gathering where you know there will be a wonderful selection of alcohols, be honest with them and then do not attend until you know God's power of resistance is stronger within you than your flesh about this matter. 
I am sure that is enough examples. There are a lot of baits. Satan keeps busy and keeps up, but so does God!!! He is always fighting for us! Bottomline: Do what you can to bring Light into the moment and if you are not able to then flee from it!
4. Trust! Seek forgiveness first from God, then yourself knowing you are forgiven because of Christ Jesus. Satan hates when we turn away and reject his carefully crafted bait, so he will toss in a back up net to capture us. He throws out the net of lies and condemnation, telling you no one will ever know, this is good for you, this will help you, you'll be richer in life and love, God won't forgive you, you're unworthy, you will never be pure or forgiven...we must believe the Truth of God, not the crafty words of Satan. Satan is a liar! God is truth!
Next, forgive yourself and move forward with hope and purity, with endurance to finish this race till the end. If you don't forgive yourself, you will keep a part of your heart away from God, away from your spouse and away from your friends/accountability partners which only leads to deeper guilt, and the cycle of shame goes on and on as you quench the Holy Spirit....till you stop it! Sin hinders our relationships with God and others. Admit, confess, repent and turn quickly to a trustworthy Lord and Savior!

So, what if we already took the bait and find ourselves already caught in the net? Thankfully our God is a Fisher of Men with Absolute Authority over all things and can cut you loose from the net that entangles you. I am reminded of the scene from Finding Nemo when they are caught up in the net swimming crazily as it is lifted up onto the boat, but little Nemo comes along and commands authority and gives direction that focuses the school of fish and eventually frees them. God will send you a Nemo! But you must listen and follow His Way out and stop scrambling on your own. 
The times in my life I have struggled the most, it was accountability that anchored me to The Truth. They kept me focused on and in God's Word. They prayed for me, over me, with me. When we push away (quench) the Holy Spirit, we loose the power given to us to fight our battles. However, what awesome power when we own it, build up our spiritual and heart muscles and use it to conquer our enemy!
There really is no excuse in today's society to not get help. Besides the Nemos God has placed in your life, there are lots of churches who offer free counseling or workshops or Bible studies geared to specific issues. God has placed Christian counselors in local communities, many who take insurance and many who don't. There are recovery centers, hospitals and the list goes on. 
The first place you must go is Calvary. Bend your knee and stop fighting. Allow God's healing grace, mercy, forgiveness and mighty power to break off every chain that has held you captive. There absolutely is freedom in the Name of Jesus! I know lust (sin) is Every Man's Battle and Every Woman's Battle but my Bible says God is Every Man's Victory and God is Every Woman's Victory!!! 
Do not be enticed by life's barracudas or shimmering bait. They will toss you a few tasty morsels to keep you close until it turns on you and devours you. Resist the bait and you will find Life. Take the bait and you will find death. Choose this day whom you will serve!!!!! And please, don't be a stupid fish!!!!!

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood." Hebrews 12:1-4

"For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." Deuteronomy 20:4

Where Faith Is: 2009-Today

Recently I have been asked by others who I am and what do I do, so I briefly share that God moved us here to The Keys just a year ago from great country of Texas, I am a Believer, I am a Mom of 4 kiddos and a wife of almost 23 years to the sports-loving guy I met my Senior year in high school, I love photography and I am a blogger. Which leads people here....so, I thought I would take a Blog Moment and say Hello and share a brief get to know about this little blog.
Where Faith Is was born in 2009 after a crisis season in my life. I was blessed to have grown up in church and as I grew into my adult years, I continued going on my own. While I understood who God was and acknowledged what He did for me on The Cross, and I accepted this precious Gift of Redemption and Salvation, I would not have described it as an intimate relationship. It was more of a religion. Something I knew, understood, and believed. God was my "Go To" guy for things I needed for myself or on the behalf of others. He was my BFF whom I shared all my thoughts, dreams, hurts and pains with, much like a favorite stuffed animal (not to compare a mighty God to a teddy bear, but you hopefully get my point) who were the best listeners but never responded back. I didn't expect them to for they infact were a stuffed animal. This was true of how I interacted with God. I sought Him but I wasn't aware of how desperate He was seeking after me, that He still had more to say to me here and now. I though He did His part for me already so the rest was mine, to reverently and fearfully serve and honor Him with my life, and His plan was already set out for me therefore I was to follow the plan all my days. I attended every mission trip I could, participated in every Bible Study I could, never missed church on Sundays and Wednesdays. I did everything I had been taught to do and raised my children in the same truths. I just didn't fully get how to be a Christ follower, as in following, as in being with or near Him. I know that sounds crazy but I am sure some of you get it. We can get so busy or distracted "doing" for God, we forget or stop "being" with God.
The Summer of 2008, I joined a Bible study written for women who felt like they were so busy with life, they couldn't hear God speaking to them or leading them anymore. It had been a while since I had felt His presence or could hear Him. Life was busy and full of a lot of doings as a Mom and church member/volunteer. Not kidding, the 2nd week of class, my study book went missing. Really?!? For a recovering perfectionist, and one who feared the judgement of others, this was devastating. I happened to also be the one leading the worship time...this was going to be embarrassing and humbling. My sweet leader didn't make fun of me, she just emailed me each week's lesson so I could keep up. It was only a 6 week class. 
Sounds silly, but I had to re-learn how to be honest. Years past, I would simply avoid the issue (whatever or whoever it may be) by avoiding and stop attending. I knew I needed to be honest and I really needed this study! Wouldn't ya know it, found the silly book on the last week!! It had been kicked under our computer desk. I believe it was a God orchestrated event however because of two things: I had to fight against the fear of failure and judgement of others and I needed to actually open my Bible and reading The Living Word.
So many studies now-a-days print out the verses for you and you never have to open your Bible. Even church's do this now where they display the Scriptures on the screens and people are not encouraged to look it up for themselves. I mean, how are you going to read along in two places at the same time anyway?! So, we don't open the actual Word hardly ever eventhough we are in The Word. But, because I didn't have the study guide, I was forced to look up each verse in my Bible that my sweet friend sent me each week. How great that she didn't take the time to write it all out! No spiritual spoon feeding here! How glorious it was! Yes, I am a huge fan of the Bible Apps but they cannot substitute for the real thing. (This will be a whole other blog for later!) For me, while I love my apps to get me started, I have to have the tangible pages to flip through and feel and see. Old School maybe?!? Or maybe there is just a special anointing energy that flows off the pages, I don't know. Not to get off on a rabbit trail...
What this did for me was start a fire. My wood had gotten wet over time and only God's Word could be that spark to light it! Only God lights wet wood on fire!!!! I was drawn back into the Word and it was refreshing and igniting. But then, as it always happened, once the study was over, so was my study time at home. Study was how I fellowshiped with God. No study=no fellowship. I could not explain it however, in hindsight, I can now see I had not grown into a mature intimacy with Him. How different the love between "puppy love" and "been together froever" kind of love. So much richer, fuller, deeper to the core. I don't know why I had been like that. I loved being in the Word and yet I was only it in when I was being led through it. I didn't lead myself, on my own. I would pray. I would read daily devotionals. Again, doing, just not being. I was a great doer of all the right things, except for relationship.
Weeks later, once again, my Bible found it's way to church but sat on the nightstand during the week. Then it happened. God finally got my attention with a 2x4. Looking back, I can say He was answering the desire of my heart (to know Him and love Him) and yet while I was in the middle of it, I did not think of it that way. I felt like Job. I felt like I was doing all the right things, and yet the attack on me seemed unwarranted, certainly unwanted! And at one point, I asked What's the point Lord?!? I praise You. I need You, but I give up. 
Living most of my life through the filter of perfectionism, anxiety and fear, God allowed it to fully take hold of me through the horror of panic and anxiety attacks. I felt like I was going to die and at some point I wanted to. God loves us too much to let us idle by. For the first time, I was desperate for Him. My soul was so thirsty, so hungry, so brittle. There was nothing I could do during the many attacks, but wait it out, rest my soul, rest my body, attempt to rest my mind. As if a women could control or stop her laboring contraction, neither could I possibly control or stop these attacks great or small. This season of hell was a refining fire in the furnace, burning off perfection, fear, humility and control. It was a hard lesson to learn but one that needed to be learned so that I could truly Live the life not only did my heart want to live, but one that the heart of God wanted me to live.
When I finally came to terms with the fact that I could not be the one in control of my life, that I needed The Great Physician, The Healer of my Body, Mind, Spirit and Soul, that I could not fix things on my own, that I needed to do more than all the right things, that I could (and must) trust Him, knowing I needed to surrender my all, my fears and worries, my expectations, all my good and all my bad yet I had been so afraid to, I finally experienced real living Faith. Real love, Where Faith Is.
Where Faith Is is where God is. He is in the places we cannot control. Physically when our bodies are broken. Emotionally, in our relationships and our friendships when we have been betrayed. Spiritually, when we cannot understand what we are learning or facing, when the weight of sin or darkness seems more than we can bear. That is Where Faith Is. In those places that we cannot understand. In those people we do not trust. In the places that aren't definite. Faith meets us at the crossroads of healing and grace, at compassion and hope, at the intersection of brokenness and restoration, Faith blankets our fears with wise discernment of truth. Faith brings us into the presence of a Faithful God. Faith shields our joy. Where Faith Is hope is. Joy is. Strength is. Endurance is. Peace is. Comfort is. Freedom is. Love is. Faith is Life!
Where Faith Is worn birthed out of the heart of my soul simply from the overflow within my spirit to journal my walk through this season of rebirth and falling in love with my Savior God. I feel the Lord called me to write not only for my sake of remembering but as a way to share my testimony with others, to encourage others who may be where I was physically, emotionally and spiritually.... maybe stagnant. Maybe lazy. Maybe fearful. Maybe trying so hard to be perfect and do all the right things that you have lost genuine and intimate love with the One you are striving so hard to live for. If you are honest, maybe, just maybe, you are too afraid to have bigger faith because it means you have to give up control, you have to trust in the face of the unknown or betrayals. To self-protect. To avoid pain. We avoid going deeper, or maybe we just don't know how. That was a big part of it for me. I wasn't growing in my faith and the relationship with Christ was mostly based on knowledge, head-led and not heart-led. There was no sacrifice of praise on my part. 
I have since been mentored in walking faithfully, intentionally, with anticipation and hope, with zeal and joy of endurance. There really is a peace beyond understanding because of the Love of our Lord for us.
Unfortunately, I had to be forced into a life-time-out for me to come to the place I was forced to slow down in life, in my marriage, my parenting, my friendships, serving in ministry, etc. Through His Living Word, and intentional longing and seeking The Only One who satisfies my soul, my steadfast Rock and Refuge, my only Judge and Redeemer, my heart and soul were cleansed, nourished and mended, I learned more of who God was and is and I fell more and more in love, while learning to receive His love for me despite my failures and imperfections What a patient God. Wet wood was set on fire once again. Although this time, I tasted and saw the most delightful sweetness I have ever known, and I have never left the altar of praise since. Better is one day with God than a thousand elsewhere!! Never again do I want to go back to a busy life of doing or being in control of it on my own because I will most likely fall right back into the pit God graciously pulled me out of. Been there. Done that. Ain't going back there, Lord willing! That's not to say I have it all together and do life right all the time. All have sinned, but by grace, I give it my all even if my all is the size of a mustard seed!! God is not legalistic. He is loving. He does not fret when I do, He forgives and extends loving correction and reminds me Who is still in charge!
It was and is my heart's desire to seek after The Lord with all my heart, to love Him, know Him, serve Him, honor Him and there are not enough Bible studies or good deeds that could ever replace being with Him. (Deuteronomy 12:10) And the only way to be with Him is by faith! I have so loved blogging God Moments He gives me where I have the ability and privilege to document His glorious Love. Some days He really pushes into my heart and other times I fall into His, so I do my best to share these precious times. They are not all easy moments but there is always a purpose and a plan, a hope for the future in His power!! (Jeremiah 29:11-14.) God is Good!
Where Faith Is began as my own personal journey and my hope is that it will be an encouragement to your own personal journey of finding where your faith is.Our paths may not have the same pits or trials, our weaknesses, issues and thorns in our flesh won't look the same but His promises are true for you too! The steadfast, faithful, Holy Lord Jesus Christ, loves you and is seeking hard after you!! He is the Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8). He is above all things and He holds all things together. (Colossians 1:17) He is the same yesterday, today and forever!!! (Hebrews 13:8) God is The AMEN!!!!! If you have breath, let it praise Him! (Psalm 150:6).

"Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that had been thrown down. Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD came, saying, “Israel shall be your name,” and with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD. And he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two seahs of seed. And he put the wood in order and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. And he said, “Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.” And he said, “Do it a second time.” And they did it a second time. And he said, “Do it a third time.” And they did it a third time. And the water ran around the altar and filled the trench also with water. And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.” Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The LORD, he is God; the LORD, he is God.”  (1 Kings 18:30-39 ESV)  

"For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you-- 

that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine." Romans 1:11-12 (ESV) 

Thanks for stopping by and saying Hello!!! 
Blessings, Michele 
      

Two Sides of Every Storm

I am not one to jump in the car and chase a storm, but I am one to get out and take peeks close to home of what's going on nearby me, before, during or after the storms roll through. It's also a great way to meet neighbors as assessments are made of everyone's properties! Florida was spared a hit from Erika today and now we are keeping an eye on Mischievous Fred off the tip of Africa. For several days, our area has experienced some frighteningly fantastic lightening storms. (Had they not been so stunning, I would be pretty upset for the loss of sleep a few nights!) Waters have risen to the tops of the docks, large palms and weak branches have fallen under the weight of the winds. And yet, it's been a welcomed nourishment to very dry lands (and our upcoming water bill!) 
This is our first year to ever live by the water's edge, so I couldn't wait to get out today and check out what the ocean and bayside looked like amongst the storm's backdrop. I brewed up a hot cup of coffee and grabbed my camera to set out to explore the wonders of crashing waves, billowing clouds and surely a brightly colored rainbow to top of the day....only that's not what I found. The skies displayed a thick, dull, grey covering where only the darkest of grey clouds could be seen. Amazingly, the waters were breathtakingly flat calm. You could hear the plinking of raindrops over the water. It was amazingly quiet and serene. My soul was awed. Only God can calm a storm like this. How can this be? Such peace in the middle of a storm?!? 

I walked along the quiet, stilled shoreline of one of my favorite spots, excited and thankful to be able to dip my toes into the warm water for a few minutes; and as I was heading back to my car, my eyes were drawn to the trees and I noticed the waterline on them. All the trees had a dividing line from top to bottom. One half was wet, while the other side was dry. In that moment, God spoke to my heart, "Remember, there are two sides in every storm." My heart flooded with names of friends currently battling cancers, fighting against divorce, leaders under attack. I recalled all the different magnitude of storms in my own personal life over the years of divorcing parents, three miscarriages, panic and anxiety attacks, betrayals, insecurity, disappointments, sadness, loneliness...that was soooo true.
Today's storms could have been much worse. Yes, winds littered the ground with debris which now must be cleaned up. Yes, we anxiously discussed and planned for worse case scenarios. Yes, things were broken....this is the bad part of every storm.....but.....there was another side. There was an indescribable peace. We witnessed a calming of the raging cells. There was welcomed nourishment to our dry lands. There was a purging of weak branches we hadn't noticed before. Shallow roots have been exposed. There was heightened awareness. Anticipation carved away callouses. This is the good part of every storm. 
So it is with us. In every storm, there are two sides. While storms rage among us, we can stand strong, holding on to Strength Himself. We can fix our eyes on Peace and be filled without being consumed. As rising waters expose our shallow roots and winds expose our weaknesses, we can be assured this is a good thing for now our once hardened and poorly nourished soil has been toiled, dead weight tossed off and roots can once again dig deeper. Dry, calloused places within us will be softened by the crashing salty waves washing over us for the duration of the storm. While it can be frightening, our hearts and minds may fret and worry, may we step out with anticipation for something new and wonderful to come. Easier said than done, I know. It's hard to have a steady hope in the face of blinding rains as you watch wind scatter debris all around you. 
I can say from personal experience and I have heard others share the same sentiments, it was only after the storm, looking back over it's destructive path, that we found a divine soil, where our roots had forged deeper underneath us. Because of the darkness, we found the greatest Light. It was flooding waters that taught us what it meant to be consumed by something. It was the gusting winds pushing against us that made us aware of the Strength of Who we were holding on to. The removal of weak and dead branches made way for new growth. Because of the storm, I was made new. I was made stronger. My soul was awed. There really are two sides to every storm.

"O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 

So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. 

Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. 

So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. 

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, 

when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; 

for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. 

My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me." Psalm 63:1-8 (ESV)

 "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 

And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand." Matthew 7:24-26 (ESV)

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. 

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:12-16 (ESV)