Is Fear Clouding Your Judgment?

Posted by kayrencathcart

“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:

Look at it – identify the real issue (don’t keep sweeping it under the rug)
Deal with it – get support and help from the brethren
Be delivered from it – let it go!
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…

Unwrapping the Gift of YOU

Posted by kayrencathcart

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)

Don’t Neglect the Gift Within You

Posted by kayrencathcart

“Do not neglect your gift…”

(I Timothy 4:14, NIV)

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

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

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.

Contents Under Pressure

Posted by kayrencathcart

“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!

Embracing Change

Posted by kayrencathcart

“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:

Accountability – enlist key people to support and coach you as you make changes (but don’t expect them to do it for you!)
Responsibility – admit mistakes and reward progress (keep moving, one step at a time – you cannot stay the same – it’s not an option!)
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)

Make A Determined Decision To Be Disciplined

Posted by kayrencathcart

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.

Graduating From Simple Zeal to Living Right

Posted by kayrencathcart

“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.”

(James 2:17-18, NIV)

The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray. – Robert Burns

I don’t wait for moods. You accomplish nothing if you do that. Your mind must know it has got to get down to work. – Pearl S. Buck

Plans get you into things, but you must work your way out. – Will Rogers

The most practical, beautiful, workable philosophy in the world won’t work – if you won’t. – Zig Ziglar

If faith is lacking, it is because there is too much selfishness, too much concern for personal gain.

For faith to be true, it has to be generous and loving. Love and faith go together, they complete each other. – Mother Teresa

Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe. – St. Augustine

Faith is not belief. Belief is passive. Faith is active. – Edith Hamilton

We’ve all heard variations on at least one of these sayings, and the bottom line is this:

Faith without works is DEAD! Well-intentioned words, plans, ideas, and thoughts are fine, but you’ve got to back them up with ACTION!

You may ask, “Does it really make a difference that I don’t do what I say? What’s the big deal?” I’ll give you a personal illustration that’s quite close to home. For several years, I knew I needed to lose weight to be healthier. I agonized over the fact that I needed to change my eating habits from what tasted good but wasn’t good for my arteries…while cramming in the junk food. I joked about needing to start an exercise routine…while I channel-surfed. Then I lamented about how my clothes were shrinking from week to week and month to month…while I got more and more comfortable with elastic waistband clothing.

But the truth of the matter was that I was doing NOTHING to change my current situation! I knew what I needed to do, but I didn’t make a concerted, consistent effort to walk in the direction of transforming my life. Sometimes I’d start with tons of excitement, then after a few days (or hours), my enthusiasm would wane and I’d be right back at square one – ho-hum, welcome to couch potato city. (If I had a dollar for every time I told someone what I needed to be doing, I’d be a very rich woman). So the weight gain continued to creep up with the combination of physical inactivity and poor food choices. All of my great ideas of what I could and should be doing paled in comparison to the inactivity of my limbs.

That’s where hypocrisy comes in: when we say we believe one thing, but what we do contradicts what we zealously say we believe. Trust me – I know…firsthand. Yes, I can admit it. There’s something liberating about telling the truth. It frees you from having to remain the same. So, in this moment of blatant self-disclosure, I pray something inside of you has been triggered to move from intention to impact. The only way to make this transition is to take ACTION. You don’t have to keep cussing, fornicating, stealing, lying, abusing drugs, being angry, harboring bitter unforgiveness, being lazy, being prideful, being afraid – whatever your vice is, you can overcome it with the power of the Holy Spirit and a commitment to do the work it takes to change from what’s now your status quo.

Today, I can report that I’ve been working out with a trainer (who cuts me absolutely no slack when I try to wiggle out of sessions with lame excuses of tiredness or eating something I shouldn’t have) – and I can see positive results after two months. After the sweat (eww! does it really take all of that? yes – and then some!), getting into the habit of throwing my tennis shoes in the trunk for my after-work fitness sessions, and finally realizing that I was just as capable of being healthy as anyone else who put in the effort, I am seeing health-improving outcomes – and I feel better, too!

In a society full of spin doctors, 24/7 surveillance technology, and people looking for something “real” to replace the virtual, our witness of words is not in enough. It is our actions that speak louder than our words, our zeal, and our good intentions – so we must live right to be an effective witness for righteousness. Anyone can read the Word, but a true disciple is one who walks out what the Word teaches. Where are you on the spectrum? Assess yourself, and then ask God to help you make the necessary adjustments to live a life pleasing in His sight.

It’s the little things that have significant impact on the end result. When driving a car, we don’t jerk the wheel violently the whole time we’re behind the wheel. Instead, we use a series of smooth movements and slight, consistent adjustments to keep us going straight in the desired direction. When it’s time to turn, we approach the transition and adjust accordingly with pace and rate and speed. In the same way, we can graduate from simple zeal to living right – with discipline, commitment, maturity, honesty with God, and WORK.

What are your actions saying today?

Ask God to adjust and recalibrate you this week – you may be surprised to see the areas He desires to tweak in YOU!

A Prayer to Build Your Faith in God

Posted by kayrencathcart

Author’s Note:

When I posted the January message, I reluctantly admitted that I was personally Running on “E.” Therefore, I decided to take a few weeks to reconnect to the Source of peace, love, life, joy, and all that I need. That was a good decision, for I have been refreshed in His presence. I encourage you to do the same – sooner than later. Your spirit man and your natural man will thank you 🙂

I was asked to share the prayer below, written during the recent WIW series on “Building Your Faith in God.” I challenge you to be transparent with God – He knows your innermost thoughts and wants only His best for you. This is stepping out of my own comfort zone to post an intimate prayer from my heart for the world to see, but if it blesses someone and leads to their deliverance, then it’s worth it.

I am glad to report that God is at work in me, and I am grateful for His patience with me! I pray that it will help you face and OVERCOME whatever fear stands in the way of your victory. Go forth boldly!

A Prayer to Build Your Faith in God

Lord God, Great and Sovereign Holy One,

Cleanse me of all unrighteousness, I pray. I choose to forgive those who’ve offended me, and I ask you to forgive me. I need Your help to create and sustain a new mindset and a consistently healthy lifestyle full of the true, pure, uncontaminated love of God. I cannot do this by myself.

I need You to create in me a clean heart and renew within me a right and steadfast spirit. Cleanse, purge, purify, and perfect me into the image of Your dear Son, Lord God. Let there be no hidden corner of iniquity, sin, or unrighteousness that I try to deny, cover up, or ignore. Change me for Your glory – I’ve been this way for much too long. Make me what and who You need me to be. I want Your results, which means I must yield to Your process. I trust that what You choose for me is right, fitting, appropriate, and just.

Help me to release to You and overcome every:

Food addiction
Destructive habit
Hidden lust and craving
Nasty, ungodly attitude
Stubbornness, rebellion, and pride
Indecision and anxiety
Unbelief, doubt, and fear
Self-sabotage
Stinkin’ thinkin’ and negativity
ANYTHING that blocks, hinders, and impedes the flow of the Holy Spirit
Laziness and undisciplined behavior and thoughts
Complacency

Fill me with the fruit of the Holy Spirit in abundance that I may be a vessel pleasing in Your sight that manifests Your splendor and glory. I know You are faithful to meet me as I press toward the mark of Your high call that’s on my life.

In the precious name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

The Power of Purpose: Making Your Life Count

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“Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you.
Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you:
A prophet to the nations – that’s what I had in mind for you.”

Jeremiah 1:5 (The Message)

It is powerful to know your true identity and why you exist. The Bible gives in-depth illustrations of many people who either arrived on the scene knowing why they were created or, through the course of life, discovered their guiding purpose for being on the planet.

Jeremiah received personal assurance from God that he was equipped to take on the tasks appointed to him – despite his age.
Deborah was a prophetess who gave insight for a great national victory during wartime – a well-respected and honorable woman in a male-dominated society.
Joseph was destined for greatness and achieved it – regardless of the “haters” within his family.
Esther delivered her people from utter destruction – by her obedience, wisdom, dedication to prayer, and willingness to take a risk.
Daniel was set apart for wise leadership and empowered to pass every test placed before him – from interpretation of a king’s forgotten dreams to deliverance from a lion’s den.
Mary was hand-selected to bring forth God’s greatest gift – above all others.

The list goes on. I have good news: you are included in this list! Whenever you examine, discover, and embrace your purpose, the heart’s cry, “Why am I here, Lord?” is inevitably addressed.

Luke 1:31-33 depicts how Jesus’ purpose and greatness was made known to His mother before He was in her womb. Jesus’ earthly ministry lasted three years, and much preparation took place before he launched out. Yet, those three years were packed with power, miracles, changed lives, and the demonstration of God’s glory. Quality of time, not quantity, made the difference as Jesus impacted those who came across His path. To some, three years seems like a short time; to others, it’s a long time – it all depends on what you’re setting out to accomplish. Romans 14:12 reminds us that “every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” How are you living in light of that fact?

As a person of faith, you may often reflect on the fact that you have been given the priceless gift of life – and with that, a certain amount of time (your life span) is allotted for you to fulfill the purpose God created just for you. In Luke 16, Jesus told the story of a rich man with a servant who got “called on the carpet.” His master confronted him, “Give an account of your stewardship!” When this man realized his position was in jeopardy, he immediately got busy being productive for his master’s benefit.

Each of us faces a similar moment of truth today. When God glimpses you, does He see you fervently serving Him – or your own interests? He expects His faithful children to commit to using the gifts He entrusted to them (time, talent, energy, skills, abilities, etc.) to profit and promote His Kingdom. Over 2,000 years later, Jesus’ life holds a legacy that we continue to benefit from. Are your actions today creating a legacy that will bless those who look beneath the surface of your life? Power in action will cause you to be a wise investor and not a resource waster!

Knowing your purpose and the power provided for you to fulfill it will guide and direct your path, help you select the activities in which you participate, influence where you decide to invest your time, and impact the people (positive or negative) you allow to sow into your lives. During your personal time of meditation, consider reading Psalm 139:13-16 and Isaiah 49:1-5 to appreciate the fact that you were designed for a specific purpose. Greatness lies within YOU. Tap in and allow God to powerfully direct your purpose; it will make a difference in your life.

After all, walking in your purpose with power is what life is all about.

Enjoy the journey…

Kayren Cathcart's Blog

Observations on daily life and inspiration for spiritual growth…

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