Change & Transformation

This Time It’s Different…

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Today, I was obedient.  This is a milestone.  Not because I was obedient, but because of the timeframe in which I responded to God’s gentle nudging – it was immediate.  The task was simple, something I like to do, and something I am good at.  However, I’ve postponed, delayed, and procrastinated (however you choose to classify it) for more times than I care to admit.  This time, I didn’t use the excuse that instantly popped into my head.  I ignored the list of other things I mulled doing with that 5 minutes.  I didn’t get stuck pondering the “what ifs” as that so often taunt me.  “What if it’s not perfect the first time?  What will I follow up this topic with?  What if I start and then run out of content?  What if no one reads it?”

Instead, I took a deep breath and consciously thought, “What’s the consequence if I don’t do this now?”  My inner response was, “More of the same.  And direct opposition to the will of God because of blatant rebellion.”  Ouch!  I cannot afford that.  I’m tired of the results my current actions (or lack thereof) are creating.  And who in their right mind wants to oppose the King of the Universe?  Exactly.  That’s not a smart move at all.

So as much as I’ve agonized with inner turmoil and angst about writing, I took to the keyboard and began this message instead of letting the words roll around in my head like a one-sided conversation that no one else would ever hear.  In the past, I’ve made a mountain out of a molehill and dragged a 5-minute activity out to weeks (okay, I’ll admit even months and years) in duration.  I could give plenty of attempted justifications, but – simply put – it all boils down to disobedience.  Over time, you may be glad I chose to be an obedient vessel.  I know I am.

This time it’s different.  No more “hit or miss” with the things of God.  It’s time out for foolishness.  We ALL have to get serious about obeying His voice when we hear Him speak to us with direction, correction, or instruction.  It’s no longer optional – it’s mandatory.  It’s a new day…embrace it, live it, obediently walk in it.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

(II Corinthians 5:17)

 My Prayer of Thanksgiving:

Truly You have blown my mind today, Lord, as I feel the fog lifted and I’m able to hear You clearly.  And to think – all I had to do was obey.  That’s what You were waiting for.  I hear You.

© Copyright 2009 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Clear the Clutter to Get Victory in Your Secret Place

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“Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.”

(Proverbs 4:23, Amplified)

How many of us have emotional baggage and mental clutter that gets in the way when we realize our need to press into the presence of God?  Let me be the first one to raise my hand!  Too often, we allow issues, concerns, and circumstances to accumulate and gather steam.  Instead of releasing them to God and allowing the breath of the Holy Spirit to blow them away, we give life to the very things that come to choke the life out of us.  What started as a question has grown into full-blown worry; what began as a gnawing feeling of insecurity has mushroomed into a cloud of doubt; and what was initially apprehension has spun out of control into a tornado of fear.  Before we know it, confusion looms overhead as a daunting force to be reckoned with – and we wonder, “Where did that come from?!”  A foreign substance has infiltrated your secret place, but I have good news: it doesn’t have to stay that way!

Secret means confidential, private, restricted, covert, clandestine, and concealed.  Everyone doesn’t (and shouldn’t) have access to things classified as secret!  The heart is the secret place where God desires to dwell and have habitual fellowship with us.  When we lead a double life or “straddle the fence” (because we’re not honest with God, ourselves, or others), the secret place becomes defiled. 

Inconsistencies between our talk and our walk reveal a need for God’s intervention and a commitment on our part to be transformed by the power of His Word.  The scripture says we must “keep and guard” our hearts – these are action words, not passive terms!   People who exhibit behavior contrary to the Word of God (which they may even profess!) indicate that they have a problem with boundaries, obedience, and God-given authority.  Behind their destructive or addictive habits, they’re screaming out, “I’m hurt!”  They accepted a “substitute fix” – but alas, it doesn’t satisfy the hunger growing in the pit of their souls.  They say they have faith, but they’re terrified deep down on the inside.  They say they love their brothers and sisters, but something bubbles in the pit of their stomach when they see them.  They say they have peace, but they find no rest.  These are the things God wants to address in the secret place – because when you get quiet, you have to face the real you and deal with your issues of trust and intimacy with God. 

You might be thinking, “That’s not me!  But I know somebody else who fits those characteristics!”  However, I encourage you to examine your own secret place closely.

When the spirit of compromise enters your heart, you’ll rationalize, justify, and make excuses – but all that matters is the truth of God’s Word.  To probe a little deeper in this area, ask God to help you identify:

  • What issue do you avoid facing and dealing with?
  • What obstacle appears impossible to overcome?
  • What challenge do you feel inadequate to conquer?
  • What terrifying fear has gripped and paralyzed you?

To walk upright in integrity is priceless – but it is attainable.  Give God unrestricted access to your secret place today – He will bring to light those things that have been hidden in plain sight from you.  He’ll uncover the treasures He placed in you that were tangled with the clutter of negative thoughts and images.  And He’ll cleanse you of those things you tried to hide, but no longer have need of.   May the clear springs of life flow from your heart forevermore…

To get victory in your secret place:

  1. Stop where you are – don’t get in deeper!
  2. Cry out to God earnestly and repent – humble yourself.
  3. Ask for God’s help and direction – listen!
  4. Obey! Begin to walk in the direction He shows you, without hesitation.

© 2009 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Steal Away to Jesus

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Disclaimer: Everything stated in this article is applicable to the author!  How about you?

“Steal away, steal away, steal away to Jesus!
Steal away, steal away home,
I ain’t got long to stay here.”

Lyrical Excerpt from “Steal Away to Jesus”

A Negro Spiritual by James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson

Why does it seem so hard for us to pull away from the things we KNOW are keeping us from abiding in true peace?  Why do we allow the all-too-familiar speed bump of the status quo to slow us down on the road to progress and success?  Could it be that we’re unwilling to make a clean break from what we intellectually know, visibly see, and mentally comprehend with our finite minds?  Maybe we subconsciously think, “Well, it’s not that bad, right?”  Is it possible there’s something deep down inside that wants to hold onto that habit, relationship, behavior, attitude, or memory? 

Perhaps you have recently found yourself thinking thoughts similar to these:

  • “Nobody else can organize/coordinate/orchestrate/manage this like I can.”
  •  “There just aren’t enough hours in the day to finish all that I have to accomplish!”
  • “I could delegate this task, but it won’t get done the way I want it to be completed.”

If so, you need to steal away to Jesus – soon.  Why?  Because the process will remind you that you’re not indispensable – only He is.  You are not a wonderful sensation or a marvelous phenomenon – you are a vessel He has selected and chosen for His use.  Only when His glory is manifested can you reflect it to this lost and dying world – and offer the hope of salvation that comes only through Him.  Yet, you are simply a vessel – one that carries the glory of Almighty God.  Always remember that it’s not your glory in the first place.  If you are so busy doing for others that you haven’t been replenished in His presence – beware!  You’ll be dispensing from your own reserves instead of tapping into Him as the endless Source.  And that, my friend, is a recipe for disaster.

Steal away means to “sneak out, slip out, slip away, exit, leave.”  It means to slip away from your regular activities and daily routine to seek His face.  Leave whatever you’re doing and get back to the basics – the core essence of your being.  Exit the madness and swirling torrents of drama threatening to overtake you.  When you spend time in the Lord’s presence, He’ll adjust your perspective and show you what’s really important –His priorities for your life.  It makes things much simpler; you don’t have to figure it out after all – just obey His instructions.  You’ll realize “I ain’t got long to stay here.”  With that focus, you’ll be able to turn your attention to the activities and assignments you were sent to do – instead of allowing extraneous things to accumulate on your plate to the point of overwhelming you.

Years ago, as I enthusiastically described my first “real” job to my Dad (and the ink on my newly-minted college degree was still wet), he took that precise opportunity to burst my little bubble and give me a heaping dose of reality.  With over twenty years of military service and plenty of “real world” life experience under his belt, I consider him to be a pretty trustworthy resource.  He looked me straight in the eyes and said, “If you think you’re indispensable to your job – DIE.  Then see if they don’t fill your seat with someone else to do your job…while the seat is warm.”  His words hurt my feelings a bit (and bruised my ego a lot!), but as time passed, I’ve had to acknowledge how right he was.  It set me on an early path of learning to balance the demands and expectations of others with taking responsibility for cultivating my own quality of life.  I share those sage words with others who need a reality check.

For some strange reason, we think we’re supposed to be “super saints” who do it all – 24/7.  Not so!  Even our supreme example, Jesus, took time away from the crowds, noise, and hustle and bustle of everyday life.  In Matthew 15, he took several opportunities after serving others to “get away from it all” and retreat into the presence of His Father.  Depending on where you stand today and the boundaries you’ve set (and honor) for yourself, “flying under the radar” or “going off the grid” may seem like an action-movie fantasy or a harsh, drastic decision.  However, sometimes it’s absolutely necessary.  Often, we tell folks too much of our personal business, grant them unlimited access to our innermost thoughts, and expect answers, solutions, and validation they cannot provide.  The intimacy we’re searching for in people must first be secured in our relationship with Christ.  So don’t delay…steal away to Jesus!

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

(Matthew 11:28-30, NIV)

 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?  Come to me.

Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.  I’ll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.  Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

(Matthew 11:28-30, The Message)

© Copyright 2009 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Is Fear Clouding Your Judgment?

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“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”

(I John 4:18, NKJV)

Have you ever felt too fearful to do something you believe God has called you to do?  At those times, you have to believe God’s Word because He is Truth, and He is not a man that He should lie.  Fear is the opposite of faith.  Faith empowers, emboldens, and thrusts ahead into divine destiny.  On the other hand, fear keeps you locked up as a prisoner in your own mind and a slave to your delusions.

Fear is defined as “a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.”  Synonyms include apprehension, terror, fright, panic, horror, alarm, and dread.  These words certainly evoke images of torment!  Nevertheless, when we nurture our relationship with God on a daily, consistent basis, we’ll walk in love and not fear; obedience, and not rebellion.

As we revisit the story of Moses sending the spies to Canaan (the Promised Land) in Numbers 13 and14, we see the children of Israel faced with a dilemma.  They had to choose to step outside the comfort zone of familiarity to possess God’s promise (laid out and waiting for them) or continue to wander in the wilderness without the provision God had already made.  Fear caused the majority of them to focus on the challenges they were well-equipped to overcome instead of standing on the victorious end result God had decreed.  Their perception was definitely skewed. In their insecurity, they saw themselves as inferior to the people God commanded them to conquer!  They even projected that their enemies saw them as they saw themselves – as grasshoppers (Numbers 13:33).

In Numbers 14:11, God’s anger was provoked by the people’s lack of faith as they were overcome with FEAR – in spite of His promise!  How disheartening it must have been for the Creator, with His perfect plan and divine will laid out, to hear His creation murmuring about how they couldn’t receive what was already set apart for them because of their own insecurity.  As if God weren’t big enough to fight for them!  As if He hadn’t already gone before them to prepare the way and make provision!

Yet, how many of us offer the same lame excuses today?  What “land of milk and honey” have you nearly forfeited out of fear?  Have you seen yourself – and subsequently influenced others to see you – as a tiny bug that can be squashed in one step?  Rise up!  God has empowered you with His authority to face your fears. You are empowered for the purpose of destroying, vanquishing, conquering, and overcoming them – not wallowing in them, nursing them, or catering to them!  If you’re paralyzed by fear or walking in disobedience (going in the wrong direction), your judgment is probably pretty shaky.  We’ve all been there – whether we care to admit it or not.

So where are you today?  Is fear clouding your judgment?  If so, consider these progressive action steps that will help you confront and conquer fear:

  1. Look at it – identify the real issue (don’t keep sweeping it under the rug)
  2. Deal with it – get support and help from the brethren
  3. Be delivered from it – let it go!
  4. Help deliver others (minister deliverance) – walk in freedom and spiritual liberty

Know that “God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (II Timothy 1:7).  When you take that first step, you’ll see the cloud of fear melt away as the light of God’s truth shines into your situation.  Why believe a lie? 

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (III John 1:4).  Press forward to receive all God has in store for YOU.  Trust HIM – He is faithful to His Word and keeps His promises.  Remember:  When God is on your side, HE fights for you and victory is assured, guaranteed, and certain.  That alone should dispel any nagging fear hanging around!  Now get moving in the direction God has instructed…

© Copyright 2008 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Unwrapping the Gift of YOU

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Have you ever received a really nice gift and thought, “I’ll save this for a special occasion,” or “I’ll wear it for a fancy celebration,” or “I’ll use it when the time is right” – and before you know it, you’ve forgotten that you even had the gift?  Then a few months later, when you’re walking around with a raggedy high-heeled shoe shooting off sparks behind you or wearing a torn item of clothing, you remember, “Hey – I’ve got a great new pair of shoes and a new outfit nestled in the back of my closet!  Why am I going out looking crazy?”  Well, that’s happened to me more times than I care to admit!  I knew the giver must’ve spent a pretty penny (or at least some time and energy) getting me the “just right” gift and looking forward to me making good use of it…only to find that I tucked it away and failed to maximize the gift’s capacity.

I happen to be rather mindful of this principle because my home was recently broken into.  Thankfully, no one in my family was harmed, but some valuable items were taken.  Sadly, I must admit those stolen items included one set of jewelry that I wore so seldom (though it was given to me for a significant milestone) that my husband realized it was missing before I did.  He GAVE it to me, but I didn’t even realize it was gone.  How many times have we been in that situation with valuable gifts God has given us?  Additionally, how many of us don’t realize that we are gifts that He has given to be a blessing to others?  II Corinthians 4:7 reminds us that we have treasure (something of great worth) in earthen vessels. 

No matter what your container looks like, the product inside is precious to God!

Don’t Neglect the Gift Within You

“Do not neglect your gift…”

(I Timothy 4:14, NIV)

Many times, gifts that God Himself has given us lie dormant.  We’ve allowed precious treasures He has entrusted to our care and stewardship to be hidden, inactive, and underdeveloped.  Often, we don’t really venture outside of our comfort zones until the pressure we’re experiencing becomes almost unbearable.  Then, under the weight, we finally yield and say, “Okay God – You win!!!”  When a storm comes to shake us out of our grogginess and complacency, we cry out, “Mercy!  Please help me, Lord!”

It is imperative that you cultivate, nurture, develop, and mature your gift.  If it weren’t important, Timothy’s mentor wouldn’t have admonished him to “stir up the gift of God that is in you” (II Timothy 1:6).  Was Timothy lazy, fearful, or just comfortable?  Perhaps he just wasn’t operating at maximum efficiency and effectiveness.  As a matter of fact, Paul seemed to admonish him to shake off his comfortable contentment with the status quo and stop settling for the mediocre and familiar.

If this sounds like a place where you find yourself, it’s time to give your gifts a wake-up call!  Repent, pray for direction, commit to purposeful action, and GET MOVING!  Your gift will take you into the arena of greatness (Proverbs 18:16).  Be so focused and single-minded in tending to your gift and executing God’s purpose that external influences and distractions cease to matter.  I’ll admit that it’s not easy or passive activity.  Jude 1:3 admonishes us to “earnestly contend for the faith.”  That means it’s going be a press.  Sometimes we’ll have to fight; yet, Matthew 11:12 tells us “…the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”  I dare say that your destiny is worth fighting for.  The purpose of resistance, opposition, and pressure is to propel you toward opportunity – which is cleverly disguised as adversity!  Will you polish your gift and seize the opportunity? 

What will you do with the door opened by your gift?

 The world anticipates your response…and destiny awaits your embrace.

When you unwrap, acknowledge, respect, and appreciate the gift that you are, here’s what can happen:

  • You will prosper (Proverbs 17:8)
  • You will find yourself in the presence of great people (Proverbs 18:16)
  • You will be promoted and elevated (Daniel 2:48)
  • You will be able to share your gift with others! (I Peter 4:10)

This holiday season, I encourage you to take a serious inventory of the gifts in your own treasure box.  Don’t wait to make “New Year’s Resolutions.”  Start NOW – see what valuable things are inside that you have allowed cobwebs and tarnish to cover up.  Ask God to help you dust off and polish up your gifts – so HE can get glory from what HE gave you TO USE (not just to hold onto).  This holiday season, celebrate the gift God sent us in His Son, and esteem Him by honoring the gift of YOU!  Look no further than your mirror to see one of the greatest gifts God has given…YOU!

“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”

(II Corinthians 9:15)

© Copyright 2008 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Don’t Neglect the Gift Within You

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“Do not neglect your gift…”

(I Timothy 4:14, NIV)

Many times, gifts that God Himself has given us lie dormant.  We’ve allowed precious treasures He has entrusted to our care and stewardship to be hidden, inactive, and underdeveloped.  Often, we don’t really venture outside of our comfort zones until the pressure we’re experiencing becomes almost unbearable.  Then, under the weight, we finally yield and say, “Okay God – You win!!!”  When a storm comes to shake us out of our grogginess and complacency, we cry out, “Mercy!  Please help me, Lord!”

It is imperative that you cultivate, nurture, develop, and mature your gift.  If it weren’t important, Timothy’s mentor wouldn’t have admonished him to “stir up the gift of God that is in you” (II Timothy 1:6).  Was Timothy lazy, fearful, or just comfortable?  Perhaps he just wasn’t operating at maximum efficiency and effectiveness.  As a matter of fact, Paul seemed to admonish him to shake off his comfortable contentment with the status quo and stop settling for the mediocre and familiar.

If this sounds like a place where you find yourself, it’s time to give your gifts a wake-up call!  Repent, pray for direction, commit to purposeful action, and GET MOVING!  Your gift will take you into the arena of greatness (Proverbs 18:16).  Be so focused and single-minded in tending to your gift and executing God’s purpose that external influences and distractions cease to matter.  I’ll admit that it’s not easy or passive activity.  Jude 1:3 admonishes us to “earnestly contend for the faith.”  That means it’s going be a press.  Sometimes we’ll have to fight; yet, Matthew 11:12 tells us “…the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”  I dare say that your destiny is worth fighting for.  The purpose of resistance, opposition, and pressure is to propel you toward opportunity – which is cleverly disguised as adversity!  Will you polish your gift and seize the opportunity? 

What will you do with the door opened by your gift?

 The world anticipates your response…and destiny awaits your embrace.

© Copyright 2008 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Resistance Builds Resilience: There’s Purpose in the Press!

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Pressure can be defined as “force, weight, heaviness, stress, strain, demand, load, burden, or difficulty.”  Does any of this sound familiar to you?  Everywhere we look these days, pressure is evident.  Sometimes it feels like more than we can bear, but we must keep putting one foot in front of the other to make progress – no matter how fast or slow we seem to be moving.  In II Corinthians 1:8-9, Paul revealed that being under intense pressure caused him to rely even more exclusively on God.  Our attitude when navigating tests and trials will determine what emerges when the pressure diminishes.

Sir Isaac Newton’s Third Law of Motion states: “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”  Therefore, we can deduce, infer, and conclude that when something comes up against us (like pressure), we are compelled to respond with an equal and opposite force.

A force is a push or a pull upon an object which results from its interaction with another object. Forces result from interactions!

Citation:  http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/GBSSCI/PHYS/CLASS/newtlaws/u2l4a.html

Instead of running away from opposition, we’ve got to build some spiritual muscle and PUSH BACK!  We must allow the resistance to make us resilient (elastic, flexible, durable, strong, buoyant, and quick to recover) – we’ve got to bounce back!  God uses challenges and pressure to bring about a desired result.  Can you identify what fruit is being produced in you during this season?

Don’t Neglect the Gift Within You

“Do not neglect your gift…”

(I Timothy 4:14, NIV)

Many times, gifts God Himself has given us lie dormant.  We’ve allowed precious treasures He has entrusted to our care and stewardship to be hidden, inactive, and underdeveloped.  Often, we don’t really venture outside of our comfort zones until the pressure we’re experiencing becomes almost unbearable.  Then, under the weight, we finally yield and say, “Okay God – You win!!!”  When a storm comes to shake us out of our grogginess and complacency, we cry out, “Mercy!  Please help me, Lord!”

It is imperative that you cultivate, nurture, develop, and mature your gift.  If it weren’t important, Timothy’s mentor (Paul), wouldn’t have admonished him to “stir up the gift of God that is in you” (II Timothy 1:6).  Was Timothy lazy, fearful, or just comfortable?  Perhaps he just wasn’t operating at maximum efficiency and effectiveness.  As a matter of fact, Paul seemed to admonish him to shake off his comfortable contentment with the status quo and stop settling for the mediocre and familiar.

If this sounds like a place you find yourself, it’s time to give your gifts a wake-up call!  Repent, pray for direction, commit to purposeful action, and GET MOVING!  Be so focused and single-minded in tending to your gift and executing God’s purpose that external influences and distractions cease to matter.  I’ll admit that it’s not easy or passive activity.  Jude 1:3 admonishes us to “earnestly contend for the faith.”  That means it’s going be a press.  Sometimes we’ll have to fight; yet, Matthew 11:12 tells us “…the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”  I dare say that your destiny is worth fighting for.

Make no mistake – today’s pressure is real.  However, the purpose of pressure in the life of a Christian is significant and undeniable.  Pressure is what transforms a lump of coal into a diamond, what differentiates a victim from a victor, and what converts a worrier into an intercessor.  Through the pressure in your life, choose to rely on God even more, then watch Him mold, shape, and form you as He sees fit.

The purpose of resistance, opposition, and pressure is to propel you toward opportunity – which is cleverly disguised as adversity!  Will you seize your opportunity?  What will you do with it?  The world awaits your response…and your destiny awaits your embrace.

© 2008 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Contents Under Pressure

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“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia.  We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.  Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death.  But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.”

(II Corinthians 1:8-9, NIV)

Is it just me, or is this a time of intense (and yet increasing) pressure?  Pressure can be defined as “force, weight, heaviness, stress, strain, demand, load, burden, or difficulty.”  Does any of that sound familiar to you?  Everywhere you look these days, pressure is evident.  Sometimes it feels like more than we can bear, but we must keep putting one foot in front of the other to make progress – no matter how fast or slow we seem to be moving.

We’re all hesitant to shake a warm soda can before opening it.  Why?  Because the contents have been packaged under pressure.  When we “pop the top,” the pressure is released, and what was on the inside definitely comes out.  When the pressure you’re under now is released, what will flow from you?  Will it be true worship, praise, thanksgiving, and adoration to God for bringing you through the trial?  Our attitude when navigating through the tests will determine what comes out when the pressure diminishes.

Make no mistake – pressure exists, and today’s pressure is real.  However, the purpose of pressure in the life of a Christian is significant and undeniable.  Pressure is what transforms a lump of coal into a diamond, what differentiates a victim from a victor, and what converts a worrier into an intercessor.  Through the pressure in your life, choose to rely on God even more, then watch Him mold, shape, and form you as He sees fit.

Are you a diamond in the rough or a jewel in the making?

Yield to the pressure and allow God to transform you for HIS glory!

© Copyright 2009 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Embracing Change

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“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”

(Ecclesiastes 3:1)

We’re living in tumultuous times – if you don’t believe me, just scan the newspaper headlines.  The buzzwords are all around:  change, transition, alteration, modification,   conversion, transformation.  It seems that everything familiar is shifting at a rapid pace.  However, those who are prepared to grow through change will discover a resiliency that springs forth as a result of transition and emerges as a result of being repositioned. 

The struggle subsides and eventually ceases when we stop fighting the change God wants us to accept, whether pertaining to career, relationships, health, finances, etc.  We create an atmosphere conducive to success and victory with proper perspective and perception; therefore, let’s choose to agree with God.  When we enter into a new season, we won’t be able to stay the same!  So how do we prepare for inevitable transition?  What mindset do we need to embrace so we can do something different from what we’re already doing?

The Process of Growth Requires Change

If you want to make a change, you must be willing to go through a process.  Immature people desire the end result (or “the blessing”), but don’t want to do the work of developing the character they’ll need to support them when they get there.  Though it may be uncomfortable, change is an essential part of growth and development.  And if you are growing, you are changing. 

Three critical action steps for change and growth are:

  1. Accountability – enlist key people to support and coach you as you make changes (but don’t expect them to do it for you!)
  2. Responsibility – admit mistakes and reward progress (keep moving, one step at a time – you cannot stay the same – it’s not an option!)
  3. Maturity – stand on your own feet (commit to move from milk to meat – no more spoon-feeding!)

What is God Saying to You?

As we approach a change of natural seasons (moving from Summer into Fall), take a moment to hear what God is saying to you about your own spiritual season.  Don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t look like you’re where you think you should be.  God is preparing a place for you at the same time He is preparing you for that place!  Be encouraged and know that He has an expected end for you (Jeremiah 29:11). 

Surely, there is an appointed season and timeframe for your blessing, your miracle, your healing, your deliverance, your promotion, and your breakthrough.  Realize that it may not happen overnight, in a week, or even in a month; transition occurs through a process.  You must listen closely to God’s plan and obey His instructions to satisfy the conditions and be in position for the transition.  Your preparation process requires ACTION!

Go Forth in Obedience to Obtain God’s Promises

“Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant,

 then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. 

These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the house of Israel.”

(Exodus 19:5-6)

A few of Webster’s definitions for the action word “go” include: to proceed; to move or start to move; to engage in a specified activity; to function; to become; to enjoy participating in or partaking of; to happen; to succeed.

If you’ve felt like you were running in place with God’s hand holding onto your shirt collar or your shoulders – get ready!  He’s about to release you in the greatness of His glory – and when you go forth, you’ll be like a rocket taking off with so much energy, drive,  dynamism, and power that He’ll sit back watching you while saying, “Look at My child go!”  For Him to entrust His authority to us, we must prepare and plan to participate in the process as yielded vessels who have no problem saying, “Yes Lord, according to Your will be it unto me.”

In order to prepare to go forth in His fullness, we must remember these essential components of obedience:

1.      Make a decision to obey Him – it starts in the mind!

2.      Commit to discipline ourselves – our flesh must be subject to His Holy Spirit!

3.      Demonstrate determination and bring forth good fruit – we must persistently pursue His purpose for our lives.

We want the promises He has for us in the next level – are we willing to pay the price, to embrace change?  Obedience at ANY cost is what the Master requires of each of us.  No matter what our natural senses tell us, we must TRUST GOD!  And that means even – and especially – during times of great shaking, upheaval, and change.

“For ye have need of patience, that,

after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”

(Hebrews 10:36)

© Copyright 2008 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Make A Determined Decision To Be Disciplined

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I fell off the wagon again…in my dedication to working out.  Yeah, I’m referring to the exercise routine I excitedly testified about a month ago.  The good news:  after somewhat successfully ducking my trainer for over three weeks (though we attend the same church), I repented and got back on track.  Why?  Because I need the results and I want the benefits.  When I tried to find a loophole by LYING to myself, “I’ll just work out at home by myself tomorrow” (and subsequently I saw the image of myself getting cozy with a half gallon of ice cream), I immediately sent a text message to my trainer asking, “What time are we meeting to work out tomorrow?”  Romans 13:14 tells us to make no provision for the flesh; I had to shut down that rationalizing quickly!  So once more, I find myself in the uncomfortable place of full disclosure and utter transparency.  Yet, that’s the only way to live free, for confession is good for the soul (James 5:16).  I’m not perfect, but I am being perfected!

For me, it’s not just about exercising – it’s about being disciplined in every area of my life.  And it’s about obedience to God, which is better than any sacrifice I can make.  Avoidance of discipline in one area just magnifies the fact that something is going on in another part of my life.  God wants us to deal with the things we attempt to sweep under the rug.  There’s something strangely cathartic about “coming clean” and straightening up.  I feel as if heaven and earth are moving to help me get into the right position; in this season, I’m so grateful God has given me:

  • a patient manager who models great habits for me to emulate;
  • a firm, pull-no-punches, yet loving husband who consistently practices what he preaches and encourages me to do the same; and
  • supportive pastors, friends, co-workers, and fellow church members who hold me accountable.

Each individual holds a piece of the puzzle and plays a role in helping me advance to the next level of growth, development, and maturity.  “Gee whiz!” I thought incredulously.  “I must’ve really tried to circumvent this process on a regular basis throughout the years…and here I am, still having to face it…and deal with it.”  Coasting on your talents and gifts cannot take the place of living a disciplined life.  I should know, because I’ve tried to get around it – and God repeatedly headed me off at the pass!  The excuses of sticking to a written schedule being “limiting to my creativity,” healthy eating being “restrictive to my taste buds,” getting up early being “diametrically opposed to my natural night-owl tendencies,” and using files instead piles for my papers being “counterproductive to my personal system of organization” don’t amount to a hill of beans!  I am responsible for being a good steward over what God entrusts to me, which often requires change from doing business as usual.  And sustaining any long-lasting change requires – ugh! – discipline.

A few weeks ago, I attended the National Holy Ghost Jubilee Conference in Chicago.  Our theme “For the Pulling Down of Strongholds” was thoroughly explored. I was challenged to change by excellent teaching and preaching with messages including:

“Get the Devil Outta Your Mind” (Elder Kenneth Dunlap), “Dimensions of Deliverance – They’re Not All Equal” (Pastor Reginald Blackmon), and “It’s Time for Some Execution!” (Bishop Charles A. Gibson).  Armed with all of that Word, I returned to NC and still had to face ME!  I’d like to share some nuggets I’ve learned by experience this month – I hope they’re helpful:

  • You can tell that your standard has shifted when you now tolerate what used to aggravate you.
  • Set clear boundaries that don’t blur when your mood changes.
  • It ceases to be a battle when you make up your mind for real – you only struggle with what you want to hold onto.
  • Stop fixating on your problem/issue/concern – focus on Christ and HIS solution…it’s custom tailored to fit YOU!

If you’re like me, you spend an inordinate amount of time anticipating what might go wrong.  This is futile and fruitless activity!  Purpose not to be the roadblock to your own blessings.  Make the necessary corrections when you’re convicted; don’t keep going down the wrong path!  Wisdom is putting good information to good use.  Go forth in victory as you make a determined decision to be disciplined in your own life. 

© Copyright 2008 by Kayren J. Cathcart