Guided

Why would you walk in your own strength when you could ride with the Spirit?

A lot of people get frustrated and just give up on the whole idea of finding God's will. But here's why you shouldn't: God has His best in mind for you.

We need to remember that just because something doesn't make sense to us or it's not the way we would do it, doesn't mean that it is wrong...especially when it comes to God. We don't have to understand, we just have to trust.

Following Jesus isn't about taking all the right steps to get to Heaven; it's a process of knowing Him, having Him shape you and make you more whole as a citizen of His Kingdom, and walking with Him through this great adventure.

Rest in the assurance that if it is to be, it isn't up to me. It's up to God. I give what I can give. And then wait for Him to give what only He can give. So, if He makes it happen without all my chaotic self-effort, then I know it is His best...And if it doesn't happen, I will praise Him for saving me from myself.

Not knowing God's will for a situation can be a good thing because that's how God often chooses to draw us into a closer relationship with Him. If you knew the direction you were supposed to go, you could just say, "Thanks God. See You later!" There's something about the praying and searching process that develops a bond between you and God that you can't get any other way.

What's so amazing about this process is that in the searching and seeking you don't just end up with guidance, you end up knowing the Guide. And that's the point.

Keep the faith,
Dalinda

Do The Next Thing

God is the God of right now. He doesn't want us to regret yesterday or worry about tomorrow. He wants us to focus on what He is saying to us and putting in front of us right now. The Enemy's voice will focus on the past and the future, but the voice of God will focus on today. God's voice tells us what we can do now. Satan's voice tells us what we could do "if only."

Are you waiting for things to change before you try to discern God's voice? If so, maybe that's why things aren't changing. He's waiting for you to listen for Him now. His directions for the next season will come as you faithfully serve in the situation you're in right now.

Nature understands the seasons, do we?

Today is mine. Tomorrow is none of my business. If I peer anxiously into the fog of the future, I will strain my spiritual eyes so that I will not see clearly what is required of my now. -Elizabeth Elliott

Faithfully His,
Dalinda

The Journey To A New You Begins With God

God needs to be your priority in EVERYTHING you do.

If you are about to begin a regimen of vigorous physical exercise, then you'll find it helpful to begin a regimen of spiritual exercise, too. Why? Because physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of your life are interconnected. In other words, you cannot "compartmentalize" physical fitness in one category of your being and spiritual fitness in another, every facet of your life has an impact on the person you are today and the person you will become tomorrow.

Willpower sure sounds like a great thing. We are led to believe that we have enough of it to fight off every temptation that comes our way. And sometimes it works. But let me tell you a little secret about willpower. Willpower is your best friend when things go well, but it's the first friend to check out when you get weary. I have found that if I really don't want to do something, my mind gives me plenty of reasons why I don't have to. My emotions even join in, saying, "I agree because I don't feel like doing it anyway."

The Bible says we are to be led by God's spirit. We are never instructed to be willpower-led, we are told to be Spirit-led. Willpower and discipline are important and vitally necessary to a successful life, but willpower alone won't be enough. Determination gets you started and keeps you going for awhile, but it is never enough to bring you across the finish line.

What happens if, instead of turning first to willpower in your time of need, you turn to God instead? God releases His power into your willpower and energizes it to bring you across the finish line. Willpower does not get the credit for our success, God does.

John 15:5 says, "apart from Me you can do nothing."

Spirit-led,
Dalinda

Surprise Showers

Do you find yourself saying, "The only thing normal about my life is that it's never normal. I'm ready for life to follow a plan!"

Like it or not, into every life a little rain must fall. The good news is that God knows just how much rain will make us thrive, and provides a storm shelter for those unexpected cloudbursts.

If everything in life was predictable, not only would life get awfully boring, but we would never have the opportunity to stretch our wings of faith to soar.

I am thankful for "Surprise Showers" that remind me He is my strength.

Blessings,
Dalinda

Sometimes For Things To Grow, They Need Rain

Life is not easy. Most of us can attest to that fact. When doctors warn, when rivers of tears flow down our cheeks, we realize how difficult life can sometimes be.

At these times, we have two choices: we can buckle under the turmoil, or we can look to God above. We can decide that we cannot and will not take another step, or we can ride on God's mighty shoulders.

Storms may pass, but God's love is forever!

We can be happy, praise, and rejoice in God's faithfulness, or we can whine, complain, and cry as we struggle along. Personally, I have found that my heart can sing regardless of the storms around me, as long as I allow Jesus to live inside me. When I try to follow His will for my life, Jesus is faithful to show me the way.

I have learned that during trials, my strength is magnified. If I never had to face adversity, I would never fully appreciate the calm, joyful times that come my way. The times when God has strengthened my faith most greatly were the times I completely surrendered my cares and concerns to Him.

In the midst of the darkness you will learn lessons you might never have learned in the day.

When God permits His children to go through the furnace experiences of our lives, He keeps His eye on the clock and His hand on the thermostat.

Adversity is the diamond dust Heaven polishes it's jewels with.- Robert Leighton

Don't forget that each of us is an ever-growing, changing and becoming individual. None of us is a finished product.

I'm a child of the King...still living in palace preparation mode.

Humbled and undeserving,
Dalinda

Life Isn't Tied With A Bow, But It's Still A Gift

Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will effect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or a bad mood. The bottom line is: It's your choice how you live life.

We don't see things the way they are. We see things the way WE are. Our thoughts and attitudes determine the emotional reaction we have to any event. Each of us determines the meaning and value of whatever we face in life.

When things go wrong, remember to dwell in the presence of the One who alone can make it all better. Don't let the enemy whisper all sorts of things to your soul that simply are not true. At those times I have a crucial choice to make. Am I gonna give in to the dark or run to the light?

Discouragement happens, and I'm grateful that I'm not condemned by those feelings and that place, but I'm also grateful that I can lift my eyes up so that I can take a step up and out...Peace in the midst of chaos. I am pretty sure there is no better feeling in the world.

Choosing to open my hands to all of His blessings, because y'all know it's always our choice. It's our choice if we will receive what He gives us as a blessing, or if we will label it otherwise. I believe that God is ALWAYS Good and ALWAYS Perfect, regardless of my often times misperceptions. On the days I fail to see His graciousness as a gift, it's only my seeing that is distorted, NEVER His Love.

Adversity will either turn us against God or draw us to Him. The choice is ours!

Every single day we can choose to remember that He has already crossed the finish line, that He has already thrown the last punch. Our job is to just keep running until we reach the tape. Our job is to stay on our feet (or get back on our feet) and continue until we hear the boxing bell. What a day that will be!

For His Glory,
Dalinda

Keep Your Temple In Tip-Toe Shape

If you don't take care of your body, how can you expect your body to take care of you?

The journey toward improved health is not only a common-sense exercise in personal discipline, it is a spiritual journey ordained by our Creator. God does not intend that we abuse our bodies by giving in to excessive appetites or to slothful behavior. God has instructed us to protect our physical bodies to the greatest extent we can. To do otherwise is to disobey Him.

If you're not determined to be the master of your body...then you might just become a slave to your impulses.

It's not that some people have the willpower and some don't. It's that some people are ready to change and others are not. The benefits of exercise are both physical and emotional. But no one can exercise for you; it's up to you to exercise, or not.

If you're on a new health regimen, you may relapse back into your old, unhealthy habits. If so, don't waste time or energy beating yourself up. If you've "fallen off the wagon," simply pick yourself back up, dust yourself off, and get back on it. God was with you when you were riding that wagon the first time, He was with you when you fell, and He'll welcome you back on the wagon when you're wise enough to climb back on.

If you want to form a new habit, get to work. If you want to break a bad habit, get on your knees.- Marie T. Freeman.

Discipline matters. It takes discipline to strengthen your faith; it takes discipline to improve your fitness.

"I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me." -Philippians 4:13

In Him,
Dalinda