Have you become unrecognizable as a new creature in Christ?š¦
You know how the smartphone lockscreen has the facial recognition feature?
Well, mine recently said, āFace doesn’t matchā – like who else is gonna be logging into my phone but me? šš¬ššµāš« (don’t get me started on hackersā¦#Rude&Inconsiderateš”)
But it reminded me how weāre new creatures in Christ – old things are passed away.
So maybe that face shouldn’t match anymore after allā¦#NewIdentity
Blessings as we learn who we REALLY are in Christ, Kayren
āTherefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.ā (II Corinthians 5:17)
The harvest cycle takes timeā¦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 āblast from the pastā 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 š±
ā6 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.ā (I Corinthians 3:6-9)
I recently decided that I don’t have to be stressed just because I find myself in a situation with increasing pressure. Iām learning to choose more wisely how I expend my emotional and spiritual capital.
God’s Word is applicable in high-pressure situations. His Word contains numerous examples of people who overcame intense pressure without succumbing to stress. I encourage you to study some of their character profiles for encouragement.
When faced with the pressure that inevitably accompanies being a resident of this planet, may we rely on His infinite strength instead of our own finite strength.
Iām a witness that His outcome is exponentially more favorable than any of my contrivances.
Blessings, Kayren
ā11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.ā
(Philippians 4:11-13, KJV)
ā11 Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances.
12 I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need.
13 I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purposeāI am self-sufficient in Christās sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]ā
Thereās no time like the present…to address the real issue.
Iād been putting off a call to the Help Desk for weeks. My reasoning? That I didnāt have time to do it then.Ā
Weeks later when I needed to meet a deadlineā¦you already know how the story goes.
I logged on, all set to copy/paste/upload 200+ questions into the online portal and BAM! I didnāt have access. SAY WHAT?!?!Ā
I finally got focused enough to be in deep work mode (is that even a thing for a creative? I dunno; it sounded good! LOL) and now this roadblock PLUS undue pressure.
But I couldāve sidestepped this last-minute drama by just dealing with the issue when it first presented itself. Selah.
Let’s not put off until tomorrow what we can do today.
Blessings, Kayren
āI must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.ā
We can all relate to messy tech issues at the most inopportune momentsā¦
The Administrator has taken over! He started clicking into screens Iād never seen.
Probably because I didnāt have the proper level of accessā¦Selah.
Sometimes it can be a bit disconcerting when someone takes control of your computer to fix whatās broken. But thereās also a sense of relief that an expert has got your issues covered, and whatever you called the Help Desk for is gonna be fixed.
God is better than ANY man-made Help Desk!
Plus, He knows the operating system inside and out.
Arenāt you grateful? #Faithful&True #Trustworthy #Dependable
Blessings, Kayren
āAnd they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.ā
(Psalm 9:10)
ā5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
40 And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.ā
Learning when your tests & trials aren’t just for youā¦
The tempering. Pulverization. Incessant pressure. Repetitive knocks. All leading to and culminating in ultimate restoration.
I hadn’t thought about the challenges of my current season as being part of leadership training. Until now.
But it all makes sense.
The greatest among us must serve.Ā
And a true servant leader has a tender heart after experiencing what they walk others through – because they’re already familiar with the path.
They know the sting of rejection. The frustration of being misunderstood. The loneliness of isolation. The two-sided coin of forgiveness and redemption.
And they don’t despise any part of the lesson, because they understand that it’s all part of the process of being made.
May we continue to endure each lesson until we become leaders who accurately reflect the image of our primary example of selfless servant leadership – Jesus Christ.
In progress & in process, Kayren
ā24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.ā
Bewilderment addressed through God’s Word = reassuring.Ā
Joy baked into the process.
Joy experienced = fulfilling.
Jesus is our example of unconditional love – a requirement for successfully completing our assignment as mothers.š
Some days, we do better than others, but our goal must always be to partner with Him in the process, and to never think we’re able to unplug or disconnect from the Source and do it on our own. š
Because we can’t. It wasn’t designed for us to be able to do it on our own.
Being a godly mother is a BIG job.šŖš½ With more than 2 decades of momming under my belt, I can say it’s one of the most significant jobs I’ve ever undertaken. When we show up in His presence daily for fellowship, refreshing, refilling, and guidance, He equips us with exactly what we need – a measure of HIS love.šš
Blessings to all who take on the BIG job of momming – and to those who are honoring mothers today…and EVERY day, Kayren š
ā1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.ā
I’ve been studying Daniel 6; itās full of intriguing lessons. š¦ 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 š of what happened throughout that night, I can imagine that Brother Daniel made an intentional decision, āWell, I’m here in the lions’ den; I know Godās 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 Danielās accusers the next day (AND their family membersā¦exactly how many lions were there crunching up the bones of all them folk after one li’l olā vegetarian Daniel sat with them all night?)…š¤£
However, I digressā¦ š
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 plottinā and scheminā 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 āem when being thrown into a lionās 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.
šš½After 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)ā¦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 š
āThen 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.ā
(Daniel 6:16)
ā25 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.ā
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).š¤š
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 highĀ 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;”
Hey friend, if youāre interested in creating digital products to generate a passive stream of income and solidify yourself as the authority in your niche without complete burnout, then keep readingā¦.
My biz bestie Nicole Batey has just announced her latest project, and youāre gonna love what she has in store for you!
Sheās asked SCORES of amazing content creators, influencers, and educators in creating digital products (INCLUDING ME!) to share their systems, tools, and strategies.
And she wasnāt looking for freebies! She wanted only our premium content – things we sell inside our businesses from $9 all the way up to $297ā¦courses, trainings, templates, workshops, and resources. I must say that Nicole overdelivered with this one!
I actually added my book Nestled: Promises of Godās Protection & Provision to give you encouragement and inspiration as you become more intentional about incorporating self-care into your lifestyle.
And until February 10th, you can get Nestled completely for FREE along withover 30 other premium templates, resources, and mini-courses inside the Digital Products Made Easy! Bundle.
Go to guides on how to set up your digital product
Social media templates to easily sell your digital products on autopilot
Exactly how to set up your digital product store for super easy passive profits
Pinterest templates for lead gen to make using Pinterest super easy
Affiliate promo pack to help your affiliates sell your digital products
Canva templates for your workbooks
Lead magnet workbook to set up your funnel
Plus a whole toolkit to add self-care to your regimen during the digital product building process
The Digital Products Made Easy! Bundle is all about giving you the tools necessary to create your first (or next) digital product that generates passive income and solidifies yourself as an authority on your own terms.
Just so you know, you only have until February 10th toDOWNLOAD all the gifts you want. After that, youāll have to pay for them.
Kayren Cathcart's Blog 