Getting in the Habit

Habits are hard to break.  Personally, I believe that the aforementioned statement could be applied to both positive or negative habits.  As I look back over my Christian walk and steadily make the determination that I want to be Christ like, I've come to the realization that I have a lot of habits that just need to be broken. 

Some of them are little things like getting up EVERY morning without fail and eat breakfast before I leave the house.  I don't always eat breakfast and understand that this would be a good habit to establish, however, there are other habits that need to be broken BEFORE I can actually successfully accomplish this one.  I've become more lazy in recent years, partly due to my experiences while living in Phoenix, so getting up early enough to actual fix breakfast has become somewhat of a challenge.  I've actually traded one bad habit for a better one, however, it still affects my actions in the morning which prevent me from making breakfast.  I have begun to pray early in the morning...like around 3 am, and after I pray I go back to sleep.  Therein lies the problem.  

One of my biggest goals is to be a good steward over my money...ALL of it.  Not just the money I earn from my career, but also money earned from Sweet Samples and The Pampered Chef as well.  I want to be able to live comfortably without having to revamp a budget just to do things like go on vacation or help someone in need.  I'm not consistent with this habit and that really bugs me.  My heart's desire is to be better with my money, but with that comes a habit that I want so desperately to master always and forever...trusting the Lord.

Trusting in the Lord with ALL my heart and soul and leaning not unto my OWN understanding is my number 1, top priority goal.  The bible says that without faith it's impossible to please God.  Impossible?  Really, Lord?  The bible makes faith sound so easy, but when you've got bill collectors on your back, children to care for, a car to maintain, tithing, and all the other financial responsibilities, it almost seems impossible TO trust in the Lord with ALL your heart.   

Each day I've got to build myself upon my most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, and trusting in the Lord with all, ALL my heart no matter what happens.  It's really difficult for me NOT to lean unto my own understanding because life has taught me that if I don't do things then things won't get done. It's scary as well though, because I don't know how or when my needs are going to be met.  I just have to trust and believe in the Lord my God. 

Someone told me today that praise fixes things.  I've been praising Him ever since she told me that.  Somehow I feel relieved in knowing that all my needs are met according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus.   I feel relieved when I praise Him because I have so much to be thankful for.  I can almost feel the weight being lifted off me, the shackles being broken.  It makes me smile just thinking about it.  

Thank you Lord for all you've done, all you're doing, and all you're about to do in my life.  Thank you Father for being my Way maker and my Jehovah Jirah.  Thank you for never leaving me nor forsaking me.  Thank you for godly counsel from friends and co-workers.  Bless Your name, Father.  You are awesome and worthy of all the praise and glory, honor and adoration.  Hallellujah!

To Be Broken

I'm a pretty strong willed person.  I don't think that there's anything that I can't do and once my sights are locked on a goal, I won't stop until I reach or achieve that goal.  This works very well for me in the natural, however, not so much with the Lord.  


With the Lord I have to be submissive and obedient.  I have to trust in Him and not myself and  actually believe that someone other that me has my best interest at heart.  I have to wait on the Lord and be encouraged that even though He may not come when I want Him, He's always on time.  I have to reposition myself from the one in the driver's seat to the one being driven.  


This is a lot easier said than done and I know that people say it all the time..."God is faithful.  He's always on time".  It took me a while to truly understand God's timing because for a while I thought that I was the butt of God's jokes.  It wasn't until I realized that a lot of the decisions I was making was due to a lack of faith or impatience, and even lack of clarity of thought.  I've had to determine what is truly important to me and what I'm trying to accomplish.  When it's all said and done, I just want to be the woman that God created and purposed me to be.  


I've learned that I've blocked my own blessings and I haven't allowed the Lord to move in my life the way I say I want Him to.  I can't do things my way because, as my track record has proven, I don't know what I'm doing.  My disobedience has been my downfall on more than one occasion.  Finally, FINALLY, I'm ready to be elevated to a more substantial relationship with my Father.  I guess I'm just tired of trying to do things my way and always getting basically the same result, even though it may be different situations or scenarios.


I've come to the realization that I need the PRESENCE of the Lord...daily, all the time.  I need to commune with Him, allowing His presence to guide me.  I don't have a problem with being quiet or listening.  My problem has always being in control.  Life has taught me that if I want something done and done right, I have to do it myself.  Jesus is teaching me that if I wait on the Lord I will have renewed strength.  I will mount up on wings like an eagle that soars.  I will run and not be weary, walk and never faint...IF I wait on the Lord.  


So now, the diligence that He has infused in me will be used to seek His PRESENCE.  I've discovered that I can't live without it.  My heart's desire is to be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season.  Who's leaf shall not wither, and whatsoever I doeth (I made the scripture personal to me) shall prosper. (Psalm 1:3 KJV)  


Lord Jesus, show me in Your Word how to submit to Your Will and Your Way.  Break my will so that Your Will be made manifest in my life.  Help me to be Christ-like and obedient, humble and thankful.  Bless the reader and meet them where they are, Father.  You are the Author and Finisher of our faith.  You are holy and awesome.  Hallellujah!