His Divine Rest

A lot of people of God are worn-out, tired, and lacking Holy Spirit fire. We are worn-out and tired for several reasons. We try to please man and not God. We are more concerned about what people think of us or will think of us than what God wants us to do. We don’t want to let people down so we do things God has not told us to do. We have difficulty managing our lives and our lives are out of balance. We feel we have to be a part of every church activity and have to be at every church service. We look around at what others are doing and we try and do what they are doing, but God does not call everybody to do everything. There are some Christians who want to be “super Christians,” but that is not God’s plan for your life. God has something for each of us to do, but He does not have everything for us to do. We are worn-out and tired because we don’t say, “No” to our family and friends. There is a time to help when the Holy Spirit directs you and then there is a time to let it go and let God. If you are trying to be everyone’s Holy Spirit then you are not in His Divine rest.

As Christians we believe that if there is a need we must meet it, and if there is something my church is doing I must be a part of it. There is a Divine order to your life and it follows in this order: God first, marriage second, children third, and lastly work/ministry. That’s right, your main concern right now may not be to be helping everyone in your church but being there with and for your family. A lot of Christians have this order all wrong, and you especially see this order at of place in church leadership. I do not believe that is how God wants us to live; out of order. If your family life is falling apart or your children are in need of more family time, then it is time to reorder your life. You will risk burn-out, being worn-out, tired and frustrated if your life is out of balance.

A balance in your life will led to His Divine Rest. If you’re doing more in one area in your life, then chances are your life is out of balance. For instance if you spend most of your time doing church activities and attending church services then building your marriage; you are out of order. If you are tired and worn-out from doing; then stop doing and start being. Being in His presence more than being at this event or activity or even helping when it is not God-led.

Divine rest means your life will flow and it will have peace, rest, and order in each area of your life. One area in your life won’t be larger than other areas in your life. This is especially important to people in ministry, church leadership, or anyone else serving in His Kingdom. If you are not taking a Sabbath day in your week, and you are filling your time with needless things, you are in jeopardy of getting burned-out. There is such a thing as ministry burn-out. When you are “burning the candle at both ends” it is hard to see you may one day wear yourself out. A lot of people believe they have that kind of energy and endurance to last a lifetime, but we don’t. Our bodies are created for rest and balance. You don’t even have to be in ministry to get burned-out. You can just be a misled Christian believing that as a Christian you have to meet every need and have to help at any cost. This kind of thinking and doing will also burn you out. I have seen this time and time again working in ministry and being around Christians long enough. We are not supposed to be and do everything. We must pray and wait for the leading of the Holy Spirit.

 When we enable, fix, try to control outcomes, and feel responsible for everything and everyone we are in danger of falling into Christian Co-Dependence. This type of Co-Dependence is different then secular Co-Dependence that you may know about. Christian Co-Dependence is a set of beliefs and behaviors that Christians do that support and enable others dysfunctions, addictions and bad habits. As Christians, we fall prey to this because of the belief or lie that as Christians we are supposed to do everything that comes into our path. This type of behavior will also led to burn-out and exhaustion. Co-dependence can get confusing because it is wrapped around doing “good stuff.” Co-Dependency is shame-based and motivated by the needs of others, usually this stems from behaviors learned from our family of origin.

There remains therefore a rest for God’s people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased form his works as God did from His.

Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.

Hebrews 4: 9-11, NKJV

41 Healthy Activities to do Instead of Drinking

Be free from the chains of addiction! 

Have you recently stopped drinking or desire to, but feel you would have nothing to do? I have composed a list of healthy activities that can replace drinking. However, no activity can replace the life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. If you are not a Christian, will power alone or self-help groups, cannot be enough. The power for lasting change and hope is in Jesus Christ. How do I know this? Because I have attempted recovery before in my own strength and will power, and I was defeated every time. But there is hope, you do not have to live defeated.

If you have had a history of alcohol abuse/addiction finding other things to do can be quite a challenge. Our natural reaction to a stressful day, busy day, or difficult day is to unwind with our bottle or glass of alcohol of choice. We believe that alcohol relaxes us, soothes us, and is a reward for enduring hard times.

However, there are other healthier alternatives to drinking:

1.      Read a book

2.      Do a Bible study online

3.      Garden/plant flowers or an herb garden

4.      Talk a walk/exercise

5.      Clean your closets-purge the old out

6.      Write an article or blog post

7.      Journal

8.      Watch a funny sitcom or movie

9.      Participate in an online Christ-centered recovery program like, www.settingthecaptivesfree.com

10.  Eat out to eat at your favorite restaurant

11.  Go on a nature trail

12.  Paint a room or paint something

13.  Become a bird watcher

14.  Do home repairs or remodeling

15.  Go for a bike ride

16.  Go to the library

17.  Play a favorite board game

18.  Listen to praise music and sing

19.  Attend a Bible study and/or attend church

20.  Visit a museum, park, or zoo

21.  Go for a swim

22.  Take a walk on the beach

23.  Get coffee at your favorite coffee shop

24.  Go on a picnic

25.  Go to a local community festival

26.  Go canoeing

27.  Take your dog for a walk

28.  Try a new recipe

29.  Fly a kite

30.  Have breakfast in bed

31.  Go to a movie and get the popcorn

32.  Pray

33.  Drink tea in the afternoon outside

34.  Have a spa day at home

35.  Take a drive and go exploring

36.  Go to lunch with a friend

37.  Attend a play

38.  Call a friend or family member to catch up

39.  Write that book you have been putting off

40.  Try the herb Kudzu to help with urges and desires

41.  If you have the money budgeted, do a little shopping

Do not get drunk on wine which leads to debauchery, instead, be filled with the spirit. Ephesians 5:18

Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat. Proverbs 23:20

The first 60-90 days of staying free of alcohol will be a transition time, it may seem strange and difficult; especially as you are trying to find new things to occupy your time. You will need to put away the places, people, and things that could cause you to stumble. God will make new connections for you, and He will place new desires in you.

What about you, what healthier activities do you like to do instead of drinking? Please share with our readers. 

Live in the Moment

How many of us live in the regrets of the past, or in the future we are projecting? Imagine living in the moment, not going back and not going forward. Just enjoying each moment as it comes, and not allowing the unknown of the future to steal our own joy today. I believe if we can live in the moment, we could experience peace, calmness, joy, and find contentment.

Excerpts taken from my book, “Wilderness Mentality, Stop Your Stinkin’ Thinkin,” Chapter 7: Don’t look back, keep going forward: One day at a time.

           

God tells us not to worry about anything. Today is ALL you have. The things that you go through are temporary. It is how you react to them that can cause you to lose your joy and peace.

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things that are true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious-the best not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly, things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you have learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into His most excellent harmonies. Philippians 4:4-9, MSG

God wants us to come to Him with our worries and struggles. We are not to try and figure things out, analyze everything or worry. God wants us to enjoy right where we are. Don’t worry about the past or future, take hold of today. Embrace today; take it one day at a time. If something in your life has not worked out, then God has a new plan. Don’t waste any more time regretting the past or what lies ahead. That kind of thinking will lead to anxiousness and fear. Living one day at a time, and one moment at a time keeps us from being consumed with worry. Choose to give your anxieties to God, choose to pray specifically for things instead of worrying.

When we begin to think about tomorrow and the “what if’s,” we can lose our grace for today. God gives us His “manna” daily, not weekly or monthly. Don’t be consumed with yesterday’s junk and tomorrow’s what ifs. Don’t dwell on yesterday. Dwelling means focusing on what you should have done, what you could have done and what you ought to have done. Take it one step at a time, one day at t a time.

Sometimes we think we need to see the end of our path, maybe so we can be reassured it’s a good path. But God’s guidance is step by step. We can rest and trust God will light our path, one step at a time. Whatever comes your way, know you can handle it, one day at a time. Don’t “stockpile” tomorrow’s provisions for your life. Face your challenges one day at a time. Looking too far down the road tends to overwhelm us in our thinking. Trusting God requires we believe He gives us our “daily bread.”

Live in peace and not anxiousness and fear of the unknown. Do you really know what is going to happen? I mean really? We can formulate what we think will happen, but that is called worry. Yesterday may have been troubling, but shake it off today. Remember today is a brand new day.

Enjoy your journey as it unfolds, and take life as it comes. Don’t project what you think may happen, and don’t stay bound to your past. Stay present in the moment.

·      To order a copy of my book, “Wilderness Mentality, Stop Your Stinkin’ Thinkin’ go to: www.createspace.com/4036785

What I Have Learned in Turning Forty

Forty is a big milestone, and I just crossed that milestone this week. I have had time to reflect over the years of my life, and this article will explore what I have learned in the last forty years. If I think back twenty or even just ten years ago, I can say my life has not turned out quite like I thought it would. 

I have learned to walk in faith, not by my circumstances.

My life has had many peaks and valleys, and many surprises, what a journey it has been. I could not have imaged my life as it is now. You see I had different expectations for my life, and different plans. I just assumed that I would have the things that I desired, and I thought that by forty I would have 2.5 children, a healthy, supportive family, I would be in a career and professionally oriented, making the big bucks, and I would have the most awesome marriage where my husband thought I was awesome. Well, let me burst my bubble for a minute, those things I wanted did not quite turn out that way. I could not see past what I wanted for years, and I entered into a time of bitterness, jealousy, and even anger in MY desires not coming to pass. I saw everyone getting what I wanted, and it caused me to become angry and bitter. I could not understand why God would want to withhold those good gifts from me. I even saw people who were not walking with God, receive these blessings I wanted. Now that is hard to swallow, when you see people who are opposed to God get the things you have prayed for, cried and begged God for.

I had been given things I did not want, nor did I think they were fair. I tried for many years to cover up my pain, to avoid my pain, to desire someone else’s life, and even plotted ways I could escape my life because I was so displeased with my life. I had a lot of pain that I did not want nor ask for, and years of unrelenting pain caused me much grief. I had long seasons of grief. I could not possibly understand God and His ways. I tried to understand God, but I felt He was mad at me or punishing me, and that is why He was withholding these desires from me. I was tormented, and did not understand that just because I was suffering, God still loved me. I just did not understand why my life was so hard. I had trouble enjoying life, and had difficulty having grace for myself. I lived in a world of perfectionism and unrealistic expectations. I worried and became easily anxious over things. I lived in fear of the past and fear of the future. I cared about what others thought of me, and had a fear of man. I sought people’s approval. I knew deep down inside God did not want me to live this way, but I was in so much pain that I thought it would never end. I wanted my life to be different, but I still was holding on to my wants and desires. I could not let go fully of what I thought my life would be like. It was not until I told God I want peace, joy, and contentment no matter what the cost. God said to me, “Surrender all to me, and trust me that my plans and timing for you are just right.” When I started releasing MY plans, life eased up, joy and peace came back and I began to learn that I could have contentment even if I did not have this or that. I asked God to teach me to be content in any and every situation like the Apostle Paul. What I thought was important twenty years ago, like material things and a high-powered career, God has shown me that joy and contentment do not come from these things, but from Him alone.

When we say to God, “Have your way in my life,” God can begin to take the front seat in our lives and we can get in the back seat. When we give up control because we live in fear, God can direct us instead. We usually want what we don’t have, and when we get it, we soon realize we really don’t want the thing we thought we wanted. I believe the enemy stirs up these desires to torment us, and to lie to us about God’s goodness and love.

What I have learned from the forty years of my life:

1.       MY plans are not necessarily God’s plans.

2.       There is a satisfaction when you begin to accept your life just as it is, contentment happens.

3.       God’s timing is not my timing.

4.       God CAN be trusted. He knows best, I really don’t. I am human, He is God.

5.       God’s plans are better than what I think I want, even though I don’t always think so.

6.       Make plans but hold on to then loosely, God may change them!

7.       God will work ALL things out for good for those that love Him. Romans 8:28

8.       It is better to surrender your will and desires, than taking matters into your own hands, you  are not God, and you could end up with an Ishmael like Abraham and Sarah. It is better to  wait on God.

9.     You can have joy and contentment while you wait and despite your circumstances. Don’t waste your life complaining and murmuring and stop your stinkin’ thinkin’, it does not help but actually harms you. (See book resource at the end for help with your thinking).

10.   Don’t become bitter, angry, or jealous. Don’t desire what others have. You may not really  want what they have. You never know what somebody goes through.

11.   Enjoy your life, it goes by incredibly fast. Slow down and do take the time to smell the  roses. Take it one day at a time, don’t be in a rush. Enjoy the small things.

12.   Never give up on your relationship with God. Trust Him even if you don’t quite understand  His ways and plans.

13.   You can settle down and stop worrying and being anxious, God will intervene, maybe not  exactly when or how you want, but He will.

Book resource to help you with your thinking:

To order a copy of “Wilderness Mentality Stop Your Stinkin’ Thinkin’ “By Stephanie Reck, go to www.createspace.com/4036785