Have you become unrecognizable as a new creature in Christ?🦋
You know how the smartphone lockscreen has the facial recognition feature?
Well, mine recently said, “Face doesn’t match” – like who else is gonna be logging into my phone but me? 👀😬😘😵💫 (don’t get me started on hackers…#Rude&Inconsiderate😡)
But it reminded me how we’re new creatures in Christ – old things are passed away.
So maybe that face shouldn’t match anymore after all…#NewIdentity
Blessings as we learn who we REALLY are in Christ, Kayren
“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)
The harvest cycle takes time…so be patient in the process.
Someone I met while riding public transportation in 2009 reached out to me this week through my website – it was an unexpectedly delightful surprise. She said that she still had an autographed copy (of my first published book) and that she thought of me from time to time, even as she had moved from my local area in 2014 and was now retired.
Getting this “blast from the past” email from a sister in Christ (whom I met during a particularly challenging season of my life) truly brightened my day, reminding me that we never know the impact we’ll have on someone – just by being ourselves and allowing the light of Christ to shine through us.
God is the One Who causes a seed planted to grow – in HIS time, and in due season.
Are we being diligent to plant and water so HE can give the increase as He sees fit?
Blessings to my fellow seed planters, Kayren 🌱
“6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” (I Corinthians 3:6-9)
We can’t afford to drive an entire trip while looking in the rear-view mirror. At what point do we choose to focus on what’s ahead? (hint: NOW is a good time!)
In terms of obedience:
My “yes” to God is still required today – even if (& especially when) I said “yes” yesterday.
When I rest on yesterday’s yes, I am deliberately choosing to stunt my own growth.
Why?
Because before I know it, I’m facing compromise, complacency, or comfort – and all of these can slow the progress of growth and maturity.
Today’s yes unlocks my next blessing – because it lays a part of the foundation I’ll need in place if I’m building something that lasts, stands the test of time, and holds up in the midst of a storm.
Blessings as we choose to continue building wisely, Kayren
“24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”
It doesn’t always require a vacation…Small adjustments can yield big results…
After mindlessly carb-grazing past the clear cake dome of devil’s food cake and plastic container of croissants, I realized that I needed to tamp down my visual triggers…and quick! 🥐
Cuz if I see it, I’m usually nibbling within 10 seconds. 👀 Call it an endearing foible…or a weakness – your choice.🙄
So I moved the cake from the easily accessible corner of the counter. It may seem insignificant, but it was like a landmine when I’d go refill my water, like, “Yes, cake IS perfectly acceptable this close after breakfast…and again this close before bedtime.” 🫣😆
Um no.🚫 I rebuked myself, made the adjustment (2 croissants and 4 buttery fingers later), and went to brush my teeth.
Drop a comment and share how you’ll change your scenery today.
It’s definitely a judgment-free zone – because people who live in glass houses can’t afford to throw stones…and people with crumbs around their lips shouldn’t be quick to criticize! 😉😏😜😂
Blessings, Kayren
“The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.”
I’ve been studying Daniel 6; it’s full of intriguing lessons. 🦁 Since errybody is going through something, it becomes a matter of HOW we endure that distinguishes us.
While we don’t have a lion’s eye account 👀 of what happened throughout that night, I can imagine that Brother Daniel made an intentional decision, “Well, I’m here in the lions’ den; I know God’s faithful character and that He changes not, so Imma chill out, and continue to trust God.”
Perhaps he even purposed in his heart to enjoy the journey.
I’m not sure if it was quiet or if the lions roared a lot, but apparently they were famished since they DEVOURED Daniel’s accusers the next day (AND their family members…exactly how many lions were there crunching up the bones of all them folk after one li’l ol’ vegetarian Daniel sat with them all night?)…🤣
However, I digress… 😂
Daniel’s choice to stay calm and trust God in the midst of an overnight stay at the Lions’ Arms Inn likely set the atmosphere for and contributed to his safe deliverance by God’s awesome power (the lions didn’t smell fear on him).
Take me, for instance – when I’m in a jam and fear arises, I’m plottin’ and schemin’ how to get out (by my own <limited, finite> power…if fear is telling me I can speed things up apart from the divine timetable…hey, I didn’t say it made sense).
Building a makeshift ladder would’ve been noisy (and who brings tools with ‘em when being thrown into a lion’s den – besides a very prepared Boy Scout!)? Trying to dig his way out would’ve called more attention to himself. So it kinda behooved Daniel to wait on and trust IN the Lord.
👉🏽After all, there was an appointed time for his deliverance AND God was glorified in the outcome.
Daniel was surrounded by what appeared to be a problem (lions – likely hungry)…but GOD made it a non-issue for him! Since our God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), I believe He can do the same for us today.
So what is our issue with waiting patiently on the Lord? #HolyWeek #PalmSunday
Blessings, Kayren 💓
“Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.”
(Daniel 6:16)
“25 Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. 26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. 27 He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”
The spiderweb in my shower was nearly imperceptible.
And fully unexpected. I’d just cleaned the bathroom a few days ago.
But the angle of sunlight streaming in illuminated tiny droplets hanging onto the faintest wisp of a web in a corner I must’ve skipped (or chosen not to reach).🤔😉
I threw some water on the web. Several times.
It barely budged.
May we be that resilient in the face of opposition that intends to take us out.
Blessings, Kayren
“10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”
If trying to juggle what’s on your plate is getting overwhelming…maybe there’s too much on the plate.
I’m working on this myself…
“33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
I’m sharing inspiration from my home garden on flourishing in harvest time. This uplifting 6-minute speech was given during a recent Toastmasters meeting…I hope it puts a smile on your face! Stay encouraged, Kayren 🙂
“Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.”
p.s. Drop me a comment after you listen; I wanna to hear from you…please Follow, Like, Share, Comment, and SUBSCRIBE to my Spotify podcast for notifications of new PODCAST episodes!
Kayren Cathcart's Blog 