I don't know about you, but I want to prove to the devil that I can enjoy everything I do and that his tactics to steal my joy just won't work. 1 John 4:4 says, "Greater is He that is in me than he who is in the world." I believe it glorifies God when we refuse to live in fear, worry, dread, or any other relatives of theirs.
If we allow fear in our lives, it breeds more fear, but if we practice walking in faith, it becomes easier to do it again and again.
It is important to realize that we are not alone in our battles with fear. The devil wants nothing better than to convince you that there is something really wrong with you and that other normal people don't have the same kind of problems. Don't let him do it; all of us experience fear.
God wants us to believe for great things, makes big plans, and expect Him to do things so great it leaves us with our mouths hanging open in awe. James 4:2 tells us we have not because we ask not! We can be bold in our asking. We can ask God for all we want to, as long as we trust Him to do it His way, in His timing.
Faith is knowing inside that despite what is happening on the outside, everything is going to be alright because God is on the scene, and when He is present nothing is impossible.
In Him,
Dalinda
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Cracked Pots
Everybody is defective in some way. Only God can make us "run" like we were designed to do.
God works through jars of clay, or what Joyce Meyer often calls "cracked pots." This means we are flawed, so when people look at us and see amazing things happening, they know it must be God at work because it certainly could not be us. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 says, "God chooses the weak and foolish things on purpose so no mortal can have pretense for glorying in His presence."
God will use anyone who has a willing heart as a means to advance His kingdom.
I found this analogy from Joyce Meyer and thought it was so good ... Imagine a pot with a lamp in it and a lid on it. Even though it may be filled with light, no one can see the light within it. Yet if the pot is cracked, the light will shine through the cracks. In the same way, God works through our imperfections.
In our weakness, the Lord's strength shines through.
Humbled and undeserving,
Dalinda
God works through jars of clay, or what Joyce Meyer often calls "cracked pots." This means we are flawed, so when people look at us and see amazing things happening, they know it must be God at work because it certainly could not be us. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 says, "God chooses the weak and foolish things on purpose so no mortal can have pretense for glorying in His presence."
God will use anyone who has a willing heart as a means to advance His kingdom.
I found this analogy from Joyce Meyer and thought it was so good ... Imagine a pot with a lamp in it and a lid on it. Even though it may be filled with light, no one can see the light within it. Yet if the pot is cracked, the light will shine through the cracks. In the same way, God works through our imperfections.
In our weakness, the Lord's strength shines through.
Humbled and undeserving,
Dalinda
Friday, October 7, 2011
Living Courageously
Believers have every reason to live courageously. After all, the final battle has already been won on the cross at Calvary.
When you find yourself worried about challenges of today or the uncertainties of tomorrow, you must ask yourself whether or not you are ready to place your concerns and your life in God's all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving hands. If the answer is yes, as it should be, then you can draw courage today from the source of strength that never fails: your Heavenly Father.
Isaiah 41:10 says, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand."
So what is courage? It is the ability to be strong in trust, in conviction, in obedience. To be courageous is to step out in faith, to trust and obey, no matter what.~Kay Arthur
For the child of God, suffering is not wasted. The spiritual principle is that in some way God uses suffering to transform ordinary, dust-clay people into...vessels that are strong in faith...vessels that display His glory to the watching world.
The truth is that our real strength lies buried at the depths of any wound we have survived.
Instead of denying our disappointments, hiding our wounds, rehearsing them, or judging them, we need to accept them as part of our story. There's an old saying that captures this principle well; "You've got to be where you are to get where you are going."
In His Mighty Hand,
Dalinda
When you find yourself worried about challenges of today or the uncertainties of tomorrow, you must ask yourself whether or not you are ready to place your concerns and your life in God's all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving hands. If the answer is yes, as it should be, then you can draw courage today from the source of strength that never fails: your Heavenly Father.
Isaiah 41:10 says, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand."
So what is courage? It is the ability to be strong in trust, in conviction, in obedience. To be courageous is to step out in faith, to trust and obey, no matter what.~Kay Arthur
For the child of God, suffering is not wasted. The spiritual principle is that in some way God uses suffering to transform ordinary, dust-clay people into...vessels that are strong in faith...vessels that display His glory to the watching world.
The truth is that our real strength lies buried at the depths of any wound we have survived.
Instead of denying our disappointments, hiding our wounds, rehearsing them, or judging them, we need to accept them as part of our story. There's an old saying that captures this principle well; "You've got to be where you are to get where you are going."
In His Mighty Hand,
Dalinda
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Life Is Sweet
As I grow to understand life less and less, I learn to love it more and more.
I went to my internist this morning for the results of my tests and blood work. I got some news that I really didn't want to hear. The Berkeley Heart Lab test showed that I DID inherit the gene that causes heart disease from my Dad. But the good news is my heart scan was clear of calcium buildup and clogged arteries. PRAISE GOD!!!
I actually have several things going on. My cholesterol was a little high. I am also not getting the proper dosage of medicine to control my thyroid, so she increased it. My insulin was o.k., but she wants me to watch my carbs. Both my parents were diabetic so I have to be very careful. Some of my hormones were low considering the fact that I am 40 and am perimentalpausal...poor Jody! The "horror-mones" are talking. He will soon be saying that I have been lobotomized by the Evil Dr. PMS. ;-}
When I go back to my internist, she will coach me for 3 months, every two weeks, on proper nutrition for me. She says this is not going to be a diet but a way of life. She wants me to have another Berkeley Heart Lab test at the end of the 3 months to reevaluate.
Please continue to keep me and my family in your prayers. Today was especially difficult for me as it is still so fresh in my mind having to watch my Dad struggle with this terrible disease. I am also giving my life story in our church community group tonight.
Always remember, as long as we are still breathing our life story continues...
God Bless,
Dalinda
I went to my internist this morning for the results of my tests and blood work. I got some news that I really didn't want to hear. The Berkeley Heart Lab test showed that I DID inherit the gene that causes heart disease from my Dad. But the good news is my heart scan was clear of calcium buildup and clogged arteries. PRAISE GOD!!!
I actually have several things going on. My cholesterol was a little high. I am also not getting the proper dosage of medicine to control my thyroid, so she increased it. My insulin was o.k., but she wants me to watch my carbs. Both my parents were diabetic so I have to be very careful. Some of my hormones were low considering the fact that I am 40 and am perimentalpausal...poor Jody! The "horror-mones" are talking. He will soon be saying that I have been lobotomized by the Evil Dr. PMS. ;-}
When I go back to my internist, she will coach me for 3 months, every two weeks, on proper nutrition for me. She says this is not going to be a diet but a way of life. She wants me to have another Berkeley Heart Lab test at the end of the 3 months to reevaluate.
Please continue to keep me and my family in your prayers. Today was especially difficult for me as it is still so fresh in my mind having to watch my Dad struggle with this terrible disease. I am also giving my life story in our church community group tonight.
Always remember, as long as we are still breathing our life story continues...
God Bless,
Dalinda
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Celebrate Life
It is possible to live our lives just going through the motions of working, accomplishing, doing, but never truly enjoying life. This is true of unbelievers as well as believers who have not learned to enjoy the life God has given them. Jesus gave us life so we can derive pleasure from being alive, not just so we can go through the motions until He comes back for us or takes us home.
Enjoying life is decision that is not based on enjoyable circumstances. It is an attitude of the heart, a decision to enjoy everything because everything-- even little seemingly insignificant things-- has a part in God's overall "big picture."
As we believe that it is God's will for us to experience continual joy, we will discover a power that lifts us above our life circumstances. We will be free to leave our problems in God's hands while we enjoy His blessings.
Today I woke up and thanked God for life; then I vowed to live it as fully and enthusiastically as possible.
Blessings,
Dalinda
Enjoying life is decision that is not based on enjoyable circumstances. It is an attitude of the heart, a decision to enjoy everything because everything-- even little seemingly insignificant things-- has a part in God's overall "big picture."
As we believe that it is God's will for us to experience continual joy, we will discover a power that lifts us above our life circumstances. We will be free to leave our problems in God's hands while we enjoy His blessings.
Today I woke up and thanked God for life; then I vowed to live it as fully and enthusiastically as possible.
Blessings,
Dalinda
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Let Go and Let God
Let go of the what-if's. Each moment is to precious to waste. He who looks behind will never get ahead.
Life is a long lesson in humility.
Remember the most important thing is not how we start, but how we finish. Be a fighter...as long as we are passive, Satan will torment us.
What are you clinging to...memories of the past, fear of the future, uncertainty in the present, lingering resentment, an unforgiving spirit, rooted bitterness, an old relationship, an old thought process, a wrong attitude, pride, doubt, selfishness. Let them go! Are they worth clinging to when they cause you to miss out on life?
How sad it is when we remain in bondage and settle for less than the life God intended for us to live. So don't wallow in your "why's." Don't throw a pity party. Don't remain in your misery. Don't stop short of all God wants to do for you.
Understand that you may not understand this side of Heaven. Trust God to sort it all out in the end. He can break the bonds of your suffering--now! Trust Him! He will bring you through.
Humbled and undeserving,
Dalinda
Life is a long lesson in humility.
Remember the most important thing is not how we start, but how we finish. Be a fighter...as long as we are passive, Satan will torment us.
What are you clinging to...memories of the past, fear of the future, uncertainty in the present, lingering resentment, an unforgiving spirit, rooted bitterness, an old relationship, an old thought process, a wrong attitude, pride, doubt, selfishness. Let them go! Are they worth clinging to when they cause you to miss out on life?
How sad it is when we remain in bondage and settle for less than the life God intended for us to live. So don't wallow in your "why's." Don't throw a pity party. Don't remain in your misery. Don't stop short of all God wants to do for you.
Understand that you may not understand this side of Heaven. Trust God to sort it all out in the end. He can break the bonds of your suffering--now! Trust Him! He will bring you through.
Humbled and undeserving,
Dalinda
Monday, October 3, 2011
Sunshiny Days
Wow! What a beautiful day. I guess if it never rained, I might be tempted to take a day like today for granted.
With the seasons of the soul, thank God, for He is faithful in all circumstances, when the storms rage, God is there. And when the sun brightly shines on an early fall day - or in your life - we have one more vivid reminder that storms pass, but God's love always endures.
Have a blessed, sunshiny day!
In Him,
Dalinda
With the seasons of the soul, thank God, for He is faithful in all circumstances, when the storms rage, God is there. And when the sun brightly shines on an early fall day - or in your life - we have one more vivid reminder that storms pass, but God's love always endures.
Have a blessed, sunshiny day!
In Him,
Dalinda
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