God Has & Will Deliver Us!

October 11, 2017
God Has & Will Deliver Us! 
2 Corinthians 1:10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver. 
This week marks the resuming of where I left off on my fitness journey. I have been trying to get back into the race for over a year now, since my hysterectomy that knocked me off course last year. This season has not been easy, I lost muscle tone and gained weight back, I had hope to never find again. Last night as I was working out in my garage gym, Satan started to remind me how easy tricep dips use to be and how much smaller my waist was a year ago. As his lies begin bouncing around in my head, my heart quickly took over and reminded me of who I am. I am the child of God who delivered me from the grips of cervical cancer, (Psalm 18:19b He delivered me, because He delighted in me.) As I stood looking back at my reflection in my gym mirror, I was reminded how I was surrounded by flames in the fiery furnace. But my sweet Jesus not only stood with me in the furnace, He delivered me and kept me from being burned or even smelling like smoke when I was delivered from the grip of death, (Daniel 3:17, 25-27). Knowing that my God delivered me, not only has strengthen my faith, but has given me the greatest weapon to rebuke Satan, His Word, (2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen). God has allowed this mountain before me to remain, so that I can climb it and show others, fitness is not a goal…but a life long journey we walk with Jesus daily. 
Lord, thank You for reminding me last night, that my testimony of deliverance is the greatest weapon against Satan’s schemes and lies. You Lord did not deliver me or bring me this far to be defeated, but rather use my faith to overcome, as Christ did the world. I pray to remain in Your Word and be strengthen daily in my faith, in Jesus name I pray, Amen. 

The Value of Encouragement

The Value of Encouragement
Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. 
If you are familiar with Joshua, you know that he was one of the twelve spies Moses sent out to survey the land of, Canaan and their enemies, “Numbers 13:17-25.” When the spies returned all of them, but Caleb and Joshua, warned against going up to take the land from their enemies, “Numbers 13:26-33, Numbers 14:1-5.” Both Caleb and Joshua encouraged that they take the land, because, God was with them, “Numbers 14:6-9.” 

Now we fast forward to the book of Joshua, where Moses has died and now Joshua is leading the Israelites into the promise land.

The same encouragement that Joshua gave to the congregation back in the book of Numbers, is the same encouragement God is giving Joshua now. 

Here is where these two books tie the knot for me in my current season I am in right now. Back in the summer last year, me and my friend started a bootcamp ministry at our church. We encouraged those who came to the bootcamp, through devotions, prayer and word of encouragement throughout the summer.

 During the fall of last year I had a total hysterectomy, which set me back a lot on my fitness journey. It has not been easy to get back into the swing of things, when it comes to my fitness motivation. I have shut out a lot of my past accomplishments up till my hysterectomy, because of the strength I have lost and the weight I have gained. The other day I went on our bootcamp page to get some photos of us, to put on a flyer for an upcoming bootcamp this spring. As I went through pictures and read some of the encouraging post, I couldn’t help but think about Joshua and his need for encouragement after Moses died. 

How quick are we to encourage others, and forget the words we spoke the moment we face opposition. Like Joshua, we need a heaping of the same encouragement, we once spoke over others, to be given to us. If we open our hearts, God will fill it with His strength, courage, determination and the abilities to face a new season as He has done in times past. 
Lord, I know that no matter how far I run, You will always bring me back to face past accomplishments in order to be encouraged to face my new season. I am grateful for the bootcamp ministry and my sweet sister in Christ who has been a huge support system for me. I pray to regain my strength through You so that I can lead those who are looking for the same encouragement in Christ, in Your name Jesus I pray, Amen. 

Cast our Cares, because God Cares

Cast our Cares, because God Cares
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Before I started my run this morning, I prayed that God would strengthen me to endure my track workout. As I hit each mile around the school track, I begin to feel pains in my body. Each time I would feel these pains, I would loudly rebuke them and pray for God’s healing touch. The pains would go away and then doubt would creep in, I would rebuke the doubt and pray for more of Jesus’ strength to keep me pressing on toward my goal. 

God reminded me during my run, that this was exactly how I am to live everyday. Casting all my pains, fears, needs and desires onto Him. He cares about my goals and He wants me to be my best, for the mission I am on to share the message of Jesus salvation, strength and love with all those I encounter daily.  

God will provide us with the ability we need to achieve our goals, we just need to cast our cares on Him and allow Him to strengthen our steps.

Lord, I am thankful for the strength and determination You have given me to achieve goals I have set for my fitness journey. I pray to apply this same truth to my spiritually journey as well. I pray to share Your mighty works in my life with others as I press on, in Jesus name I pray, Amen. 

Claiming My Mountian

Claiming My Mountain! 
Joshua 14:12a Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day,
The most powerful part of our testimony, is not when we reach the top of the mountain. It’s our daily climb we are making to claim our mountain, that God has already reserved for us. 

On Monday I started a training plan to prepare myself to run a 10k in February. I have not been very active for a few months on my fitness journey, due to health issues. This run is nothing more then God strengthening my faith to pursue my purpose for His will. Over the summer last year me and my best friend lead a fitness camp at my church. Within weeks from ending the bootcamp, I had to have a hysterectomy; which set me back a lot from being physically fit. I have had many fears running through my mind since the surgery, and one of them has been, will I ever have that passion and drive again for fitness. These past few months with Thanksgiving and Christmas, it has been a real struggle to eat healthy and exercise. With our mini winter bootcamp and long summer bootcamp coming up, I knew I had to get my self together, to pursue my purpose. I signed up for the race and prayerfully made a plan of action. Today as I ran my 1.5 miles on my treadmill for my training plan. Instead of watching the minutes and miles go by, I placed my huge phone in front of the display and open my Bible app. I went to the book of Joshua, and I begin to read God’s Word of encouragement, to be strong and courageous. Then my eyes locked in on (Joshua 1:3a Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you.) After I read God’s Word, my Holy Spirit dropped this into my heart. “You have already crossed over this land before, it is already yours, and this new mountain you are climbing, God has already reserved for you. Be strong and of good courage, this mountain before you has already been claimed by God, to restore what you lost in order to regain your strength, to pursue your passion of encouraging others through the Word of God and fitness.” 

I pray that this progress of my journey will be the encouragement you need to climb and claim your mountain God has already reserved in your name. 
Father, words can not speak of how thankful I am that You not only set a table for me before my enemies, but you have already labeled my mountain of victory. I pray to stay focused on Jesus and be restored of what was lost in this past season. I know You have a great purpose for me to encourage others through my testimony of faith, I pray to be receptive of all You have to offer me, in Jesus name I pray, Amen. 

God Will So Great Things!

Joel 2:21 Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things.
With the blessings of God upon the land, it will bloom again. The crops will be abundant. It will rain at the needed time, and they will prosper. -Webmaster Bible Study 
This verse brings me such hope, a hope of knowing that no matter what has been robbed from me, God will bring back to life. Three months ago I had a hysterectomy, and any woman who has had one, knows it will set you back, not just mentally or spiritually, but physically too. I went from working out 5 days a week, to being restricted for about a month before my surgery to only being able to walk. Then after my surgery, I was on a strict 6 week recovery time of NO physical activity. I marked off the days on my calendar to when I could finally workout. When that day finally did come, my body was still in shock, it made jumping back on that fitness wagon not an easy task. My first month after being released from my restrictions was a struggle, I had no desire to exercise or eat healthy and the weight was piling on. This war was not in my body, it was in my mind! I had the opportunity to do a Bible study/ mini bootcamp at my church, the one thing that stood out to me from the study was “peace.” That was something I was truly lacking and needed to regain back into my life, (1 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell, be prefect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.) The only way we can move forward is by allowing God’s peace to take it’s rightful place in our heart and mind. Today I am praising God for His peace and strength He has blessed me with this week to eat healthier and workout 3 days in a roll. I am not sure what you are struggling with, but know this, God will restore what the locust have destroyed and do great and mighty things for a His glory!

The Journey

Numbers 33:2 And Moses wrote their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of the LORD: and these are their journeys according to their goings out. 
In the book of Numbers, Moses writes out the journey the Israelite had taken from Egypt to the plains of Moab. He references the 40 years journey they had taken, the good with the bad, Romans 8:28. Each season has brought them closer to the promise land and closer to God. This chapter of Numbers, reminds me to stop and reflect on my journey and remember all the ways God has be faithful, Psalm 40:5.
The next time you stand starring at yourself in the mirror to take inventory on what you look like, please make sure you take in account of each season in your life and especially the season you are in right now. 
This morning when I looked a myself in the mirror, I found myself looking at my reflection a lot differently then before. I gazed upon the extra weight I have put on, the stretch marks and my beautiful cellulite. I paused for a minute as I thought about how each one of these attributes helps to tell the story of my life. 
My stretch marks were given to me by 3 beautiful children God has blessed me with to raise, love and lead in Jesus. My cellulite is apart of all the food choices I have made over the last 36 years of my life. I have ate tons of family meals with many family members who have gone on to be with the Lord, I have eaten many birthday cakes celebrating the lives of those I love. Plenty of baptist potlucks celebrating God’s amazing grace. I have eaten Santa’s cookies, tested Halloween candy. I have made memories with women I admire in the kitchen making yummy dinners and deserts. The extra weight, I carry today is from being restricted from working out, while God was saving me from Cervical Cancer. 
How easy is it for us to get caught up in our appearances, that we forget how each prefect flaw makes us who we are today. Will we stay the same, nope, we will lose weight, gain it back along with gaining more stretch marks and cellulite during different season to come. We will grow older and gain the wrinkles of wisdom. Life is a journey and our bodies tell the story of each season we have lived and fought to survive in. If you are lucky you will have scars to prove you survived child birth, hysterectomy and mastectomy. Many of us have reminders of where God brought us from with tattoos and piercings from a another time of our lives. 
Why do we hate the beautiful body God created to be apart of our life’s journey we are on seeking Him. We are made to be courageous, we are made to love, we are made to crave God and we were made to live life to the fullest as a Jesus boy/girl. Don’t get caught up in the one thing that want be prefect till you get to heaven, instead allow God to take you on a journey and let Him lead your fitness. Leave room to grow, leave room to rest. Love who you are, weight, cellulite, stretch marks and all, because God does! 

BUT, With God!

  
BUT, With God!

Matthew 19:26 With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. 
I love the BUT in this verse, because when I am not able as a woman, wife or mother, with God I am able through the strength of Christ, “Philippians 4:13.” I have faced many challenges along my spiritual and fitness journey these past 5 years, many I could have easily allowed to bring my defeat. BUT, God made a way for me to overcome and claim the victory that has already been won by the cross of Christ. You can continue to say I can’t and use those excuses to never accomplish any goals OR you can take this verse that Jesus spoke and say BUT with God it is possible; I can and I will! Just because you do not see changes now, does not mean you will not see them to come, if you will apply the BUT to your entire life’s journey with Christ spiritually and physically, in due season you will reap (don’t give up) if you faint not, “Galatians 6:9.” 
Heavenly Father I pray that You will exchange my weakness for Your strength. I know as a wife, mother and woman I fail in many areas, BUT with You, Lord anything is possible if I will trust and obey, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.

God Gives Us Who We Need

  
Sunday, September 6, 2015
God Gives Us Who We Need
Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Surround yourself with those who will build you up, encourage you and who are on the same path as you toward victory. I love what one commentary says about “Acts 4:32, the disciples became as one big family. They shared their worldly goods that God had entrusted them with. In the first part of verse 32, it says one soul; this means that they were all walking in the will of God together. They had made Jesus Lord and had given their will over to His will.” When we are embarking on a journey with others together toward a purpose in the will of God, we become one big family. We share are struggles, needs, trials and fears with each other. Why? Because we are also to share our love, encouragement, help, prayers and support with each other along our journey. When we walk in the will of God together, He will bless and guide us along the way. This makes me think of my fitness family God has placed us on my path and the journey we are on together with Christ. I am thankful for each one and pray daily for their strength only Christ can give them to achieve their goals. 
Heavenly Father thank You for the amazing group of friends you have placed in my life on this fitness journey together. You have crossed their paths with mine so that we can build each other up, encourage one another. When I think of these amazing friends I praise you for them and pray for Your blessings on their lives and to achieve goals they have playfully set out with You, in Jesus name I pray, Amen. 

It’s ALL About Jesus!

  
Friday, July 24, 2015
It’s ALL About Jesus! 
Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Each of us believers are on a personal journey with Christ, whether it be fitness, college, career..etc. The journey I have been placed on now for about six months with God is fitness. Yesterday I seen a picture on Pinterest, that I have seen many times before, but this time it made me stop and reflect, is my fitness journey reflecting the Gospel. The quote read, (it takes 4 weeks for you to see your body changing, 8 weeks for your family and close friends and 12 weeks for the world to see.) I had to stop and ask myself, is my fitness walk a reflection of Christ? Can I see a difference in my spiritual life from who I once was? Does my family and close friends see my fitness journey built on the foundation of God? Lastly do I reflect Christ to those that come across my fitness path? Our personal journeys God has placed us on are important, these journeys help us to see our weakness, so that we fully rely on His strengths. These journeys are also a witnesses for others to see what Christ is doing in our lives, that He can do for them too. But if we are promoting the world and not Jesus, we have miss the entire reason why God has placed us on this personal journey. When other people notice your changes, is Jesus the one who is glorified? 
Heavenly Father I pray that this fitness journey You have placed me on reflects ALL Your glory. I pray that others will see You as my foundation that I have built not just my entire life on, but as well my fitness journey. Lord I praise You for the daily strength in You can provide me with daily to conquer my goals. I pray when others see me they see You, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.