Faith, how to, Inspiration, personal excellence, purpose, Stress relief, tips for purpose driven life, wellness

Can’t Get No Satisfaction? Try this…


“For our light and momentary struggles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary and what is unseen is eternal.†2 Corinthians 4:17-18

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.†Philippians 2:3

We live in a society that mucks around in the very element that wreaks havoc on a sense of life satisfaction.  “I can’t get no satisfaction†occurs within the person who plays the New Age game of I, me, my/ bigger, better, more.

Attachment and unbridled ambition are the names of two reptile serpents that wreak havoc on our sense of security, value and purpose in life.  These two reptiles slither into our interior castle, spewing out lies that fuel destructive feelings of lack & scarcity along with a sense of entitlement and victimization. Jealousy and envy slither in right behind unbridled ambition and attachment.

An attachment is an emotional state of clinging due to the belief that without some thing, person, status or outcome, I can’t be happy.  Can you imagine how much headspace would be cleared up if we simply abandon the vigil we keep around our attachments? “Will I get what I want? Deserve? Have been toiling for? Am I enough? Appreciated? Acknowledged? I need more stuff to know I have made it, I matter. All too often we seek the living among the dead.

A worthy contemplation: “What was I put on this earth to give rather than what was I put on this earth to receive?†Funny thing is, can’t we all agree that our greatest moments of life satisfaction occur when we are giving of our time, talent and treasure to make a positive impact in the life of another person?

When we feed the serpents of unbridled ambition and attachment they become more venomous and self seeking, like a spoiled child the more you feed them, the more they want of your time, talent and treasure often at the expense of what you value most in this life: “If I work longer hours, get more education, accomplish and achieve higher status then I will be enough.

I, me, my has replaced over time our single source for authentic life satisfaction, our relationship with God, and the extent through which we serve others which flows from the greatest commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and love your neighbor as yourself.† True satisfaction comes when, as Jesus said, we die to self (I, me, my). It is in this moment of death to self: what I want; need; desire; crave; expect, that authentic life satisfaction and purpose, joy and inner peace emerge to the front lines of how we show up in life.

How much of our heart, mind, soul and strength is occupied by the pursuit of those things which can never fully satisfy? The fleeting joy that occurs when we obtain something we have been pursuing is quickly replaced by the fear of losing it or a need for bigger, better, more. This is a vicious cycle that has been advertised and promoted within our society, particularly over the past decade and has put into the heart of mankind a fear of failure, envy, lack & scarcity thinking which contradicts the message of Jesus: All things are possible for those who believe.

The confusion occurs when we misinterpret Jesus reference to  “all things.†Rather than cars; houses; relationships; status; fame; popularity, Jesus is speaking about something that exists far and beyond what eye has seen, ear has heard or mind can conceive.

Jesus is referring to something that occurs within the soul that exists outside of the need to analyze, interpret or conclude fueled by the spirit rather than the flesh. Similar to when a baby smiles at you; you experience the warmth of a summer sunset; you witness the freeing experience of forgiveness and grace (undeserved divine assistance or favor).  The depth of joy, satisfaction in the moment and partaking in something bigger than you is the life that Jesus was inviting us into when he said, “All things are possible for those who believe.â€

Can you imagine taking the momentary experience of when a baby looks into your eyes and smiles at you with you into all of life? Or that unexplainable feeling of awe and wonder that washes over you when you witness first hand the power of nature in a sunrise or thunder storm? Or how about the prodigal son experience?  Forgiving or being the recipient of forgiveness?  Serving or being served in the midst of weakness?

These are the moments that fuel authentic life satisfaction, which are all too often overlooked because we are distracted from what really matters, those things we will want more of at the sunset of this life.

What is the cost of giving free rent in our head to unbridled ambition and attachments? What if we were to replace that mind space with the practice of surrender, gratitude and service?  What if we were to release our grip on our need for certain outcomes, positions, accomplishments a little more today than yesterday to know that we matter and are a part of something bigger than ourselves, that God is with us, adores us, has redeemed us and saved us for a purpose that far outweighs our momentary trials and hardships? What if we replaced I, me, my pursuits with love, gratitude and service? The kind of service that gives without the need to be seen, acknowledged and recognized.

The Holy Spirit has so much self regard that it chooses to travel invisibly through our lives…hmmm now that’s something worth our contemplation in our pursuit for life satisfaction.

Because of His Love,

Lauren

Bible Study, Christian, Faith, how to, Inspiration, personal excellence, purpose

How to Slay the Serpent of Future Fear


 

The doctors told me at 38 years old that they were focused on getting me 5 years of life.  This conversation happened after being diagnosed with advanced cancer one week prior to my final divorce court date with 3 young children.

I had a simple daily practice (which I still implement to this very day) when the suffocating weight of the future attempted to rob me of the fullness of life Jesus died to give me.

Staying awake at the gate of my thoughts with sword in hand was my greatest place of empowerment; catching the negative serpents of fear, doubt and worry by the throat when they tried to slither into my thoughts with the intention of rendering me in a place of mental and physical paralysis.

The Word of God is sharper than any double-edged sword and pierces the deepest parts of mankind, equipping him/her for victory when it comes to the battlefield that exists between the two ears. Below are a few powerhouse scriptures that came to my aid in the midst of the mental attacks fueled by future fear:

“Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts shall be established.” from Proverbs 16:3

“The Lord will fight your battle, you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14

“There will be a shelter to give shade from the heat of by day; and refuge and protection from the storm and the rain.” Isaiah 4:6

“I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

“Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit’ says, the Lord.” Zechariah 4:6

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you, nor forsake you; do not be afraid, do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

“There is surely a future hope for you and your hope will not be cut off.” Proverbs 23:18

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Phil. 4:13

“It is for freedom that Christ has set you free, stand firm then and do not allow yourself to be burdened again by the yoke of slavery.” Gal. 5:1 (slavery to future fear and anxiety).

“The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it.” 1 Thess. 5:24

Give more authority to the power of God’s word stored in your heart to slay the serpent of future fear.  Remember, when Jesus was tempted by the devil in the desert, he rebuked him each time by proclaiming the word of God:

“Get thee behind me future fear serpent, I give more authority to God’s Word than to your lies and accusations in my life.”

Because of His Love,

Lauren <><

Bible Study, Christian, Faith

The Ultimate Power


There has been a lot of discussion around power animals and their breakthrough power.  The origin of such animals comes from the shamanic belief that everything alive carries with it power and wisdom.  Power animals are helping spirits which add to the powers of shaman and are essential for success in any venture undertaken by the shaman.

I feel that God gives all creatures  purpose and power, but I also believe in the order of things… God… Man… Animals.    It is important for us as believers in Jesus Christ, to be knowledgeable in all matters of Christ and know what he says about ultimate authority and power.

Man holds the “power†over animals – God the fathers, has dominion (ruling or power) over his creation and has delegated the authority of mankind (man) to have dominion over animals.                          Genesis 1:26 – Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.  And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping things that creeps the earth.â€

God has the “ultimate†authority – God is the ultimate authority and only he appoints power.                                                                                      Romans 13:1-3 – Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

He (GOD) “delegates†it (authority) to whomever he will (keep in mind it says men not animals)                                                                                       Daniel 4:17 – The sentence is by the decree of the watchers (angels), the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living my know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.â€

There is only “one†God                                                                                                    1 Timothy 2:4-6 – For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.  

 All creatures “recognize†Jesus even these power animals                      Revelations 5:8-13 – All creatures recognize Jesus as the Savior of the world and praise God right along with redeemed men.

Go to the “thrown†for all your needs                                                 Hebrews 4:16 –Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in the time of need.

Food for thought!

~Estella

Bible Study, Christian, Faith, how to, Inspiration, personal excellence, purpose, Stress relief, tips for purpose driven life, wellness

The Fame Game: Have You Played?


 

The Fame Game: Keep Watch

 

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever

a man sows, he will also reap. For the one who sows

to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption,

but the one who sows to the Spirit will from 

the Spirit reap eternal life.” 

Gal 6:7-8

 

St. Augustine reflected on mastering inner peace

and communion with God

and came to a simple conclusion: 

“I have learned the secret of interior success

over my fleshly responses to life

 and that being my daily

commitment to giving my Spirit permission

to guide my flesh into all things.”

 

Flesh in this case is linked to those

choices in life that flow from a self oriented nature 

in such a way that they drown out the whisper

of God which is constantly calling

us into our highest good & the good of

all concerned.

 

When our desire for fame exceeds our moral compass

or distracts us from the things that are highly

valuable commodities of the Spirit: love; joy; peace;

patience; kindness; goodness; gentleness & self-control we

render ourselves extremely vulnerable to

the world’s definition of success over Gods.

 

I speak from my own personal “mini-possessions” as I

have used up, on occasion, my time, talent &  energy in the

endless pursuit of the flesh: unbridled ambitions & 

worldly position and recognition.

 

This fame game is like a slippery serpent and will

often slither in our ambitions and motivation under

our conscious radar. We will know it is present

when we begin to put things above God & people.

 

Exploring the following questions will often

reveal the level at which you are engaged in the fame game:

 

Am I Ok without this accolade? (Do I feel loved, accepted?

enough?)

 

How does pursuing this goal make God recognizable in this 

world by contributing to the higher good of all concerned?

 

What is my level of attachment on a scale from 1-10 

(1 being not attached at all and 10 being very attached) 

to the success of this project?

(Remember, an attachment is an emotional state of

clinging due to the belief that without some thing,

person or situation you can’t be happy).

 

Does pursuing my goal or desired position take precedence  

over prayer/meditation time and service of others?

 

How high is my irritation level when my plans are thwarted?

 

Am I putting the success of this project above 

humble, kind & integrous responses to people?

 

Do I feel entitled to “it” (whatever “it” is)?

 

Am I comparing myself to another human being?

(feeling less than, envious, jealous?) 

 

The most wonderful thing about the fame game is this: as

soon as you realize you are playing it, the light of your

awareness offers you the opportunity to begin again with God

as you recommit to the practice of giving your 

Spirit permission to guide your flesh.

 

Dear God,

 

Help me to recognize the

interior discomfort when I am sowing to

please my flesh verses my Spirit.  Grant me the grace to 

flip back into the person you have called 

me to be during this earth journey. I

rededicate myself to the daily practice

of pursuing those things that expand your

presence on earth: love; kindness; humility; gentleness and

patience in my words; thoughts; deeds and actions.

May everything I do begin with your

inspiration and continue with your saving help.

Let all my work find it’s origin in you and through

you reach completion. 

 

Because of His Love,

Lauren

Bible Study, Christian, Faith

Praise the Lord


 

February 3,  2015

I woke up this morning with my mind… set on Jesus…â€praising†our Lord for all he is and does!

Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever – Psalm 103:1

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name is to be praised – Psalm 113:3

Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord – Psalm 150:6

Let us not forget to praise God daily!  Praise him for giving us the breath of life… our family and friends… our blessings… the gift of salvation…and the gift of eternal life.

Praise is individual, personal, and is experienced differently for everyone.   No matter how you praise him… just do it….giving honor to our lord Jesus Christ.

He suffered died and was buried for our sins…

I just sent out a hallelujah. 🙂

~Estella

Bible Study, Christian, Faith, how to, Inspiration, personal excellence, purpose, Stress relief, tips for purpose driven life, wellness

Tips to Help You Enter into God’s Presence


 

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

The presence of God is like a fish swimming in the ocean, as Mother Teresa suggested, no matter where the fish swims, it is surrounded by the water.  We are consistently surrounded by the presence of God and our ability to access this truth lies in our ability to slow down, be still and lean into God over the demands of the world. Jesus was masterful at this as he consistently found himself surrounded by questions, doubt, fear and anxiety.  He knew that the Father was in Him, around Him living through Him, in this space He lacked nothing and ALL things were possible.

How much of your day do you spend leaning into your to-do list? How many moments do you pause and remember you are like a fish in God’s endless ocean of possibilities and purpose?  Are you feeling overwhelmed by circumstances in your life? Unsure about your future? Remember that God’s omnipresence surrounds you, like a fish in water, no matter where you go, you are engulfed in God’s loving guidance.

One definition of omnipresence is to be present everywhere simultaneously. God is omnipresent. He meets you in the present moment; wherever your present moment happens to be. Your great­est peace always comes when you remain present to the moment of life in front of your face.

The power of God’s presence in nature calms the soul/body instantly when you are present to it. Choosing an inspirational verse or saying and repeating it throughout your day creates enough of a mental distraction to keep you present; safe from the fog of the future or regrets from your past.

Want to know peace? Know God. Want to know God? Practice stillness within your day. You will find strength in quietness and trust. Do animals ever fret over whether or not they will have enough grass to eat tomorrow? No, they simply enjoy the grass that is available to them today without any thought of lack in the future.

Bible Study, Christian, Faith, how to, Inspiration, purpose, Stress relief

How to Let Go & Let God


 

“Faithful is He who calls you and He will bring it to pass.” 1 Thess. 5:24

When I was diagnosed with advanced cancer one week prior to my final divorce court date this verse kept popping into my head. I began to memorize the scripture when I first fell in love with Jesus and His teachings when I was a teenager. 1 Thess 5:24 was one of the first scriptures I memorized, not realizing at the time that it would come back to me in the midst of the dark night of the soul to strengthen me from the inside out. I remember giving more authority to what God said in this verse than to my circumstance when I felt my emotional ship sinking.

God promises to give us the necessary resources to walk through deep waters and climb the high mountains of life. I remember one particular moment when I was bald and breastless looking at image  in the mirror and saying to myself, “I don’t even recognize my physical appearance.” In the weight of that moment I heard another verse that I had memorized as a youth, “For God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outer appearance but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

It continually amazes me how many times the Word of God pops into my mind sometimes years after I stored it in my heart to remind me of what my soul always knows: God is omnipresent and will never leave me nor forsake me; I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength.

This week take time to read God’s word, I first started with the Gospel of John when I first picked up the Bible as a teenager. Write down a scripture that supports the person you desire to be in this world and memorize it.  Give God’s Word more authority in your life than fear, doubt or worry.

Because of His Love,

Lauren <><

Bible Study, Christian, Faith, how to, Inspiration, purpose, Stress relief

How To Edge God In to Worry


“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33-34

What are all these “things” that are added to use when we Edge God In over all of the shiny objects and demands of the world that flare up worry? Simply put, it’s one main thing: the ability to do life without worrying.  Worry is to simply give into the challenges in life as we give them more authority to define what we are capable of than to the presence of God within us which flares up internal anxiety.

Jesus speaks of this prioritizing in response to his observation that we tend to worry a lot, about many different needs in our life: What do I wear? What should I eat? Where should I live? What will other people think? What if I fail? What if I’m not good enough? What if I don’t get the promotion? What if something happens to me or someone I love? What if I don’t have enough money to pay the bills? What if don’t say the right thing?  Jesus references the word worry six times in 9 sentences.

The next time you feel spun into the worry war of the mind explore using this prayer:

Dear God I give you more authority to comfort my heart and mind in the midst of this perceived challenge than I do to worry and this internal anxiety that is fueled by the thought: I won’t be able to handle this situation successfully. Grant me the grace to remember that whatever you call me to that you promise to provide the resources to make it all happen. You call me out of worry into the ability to Edge You In to all of it. You are the Prince of Peace.  Grant me the grace to step out of worry into You. Help me to tune into the solution with a peace that passes ALL human understanding. More of you, less of me.  Help me to remember that you have already overcome all that I feel has overcome me.

Because of His Love,

Lauren <><

Faith, Inspiration, tips for purpose driven life, Uncategorized

The Peace of the Lord


 

Philippians 4:7 -And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

How powerful is this scripture!  To know that God will give Peace to all we think, do, and say and Calm our hearts is so awesome!

We must all remember that no matter how difficult the challenge only Jesus can provide the peace we need in our hearts and minds.

But know that this can’t be realize  alone…  Stay in meditation, prayer, and fellowship so to Edge God in.

True believers, abiding in Christ, realize this promise and make peace happen even when faced with life challenges.

My prayer for each of you is to cultivate and maintain a personal relationship with Christ, so that his promise of peace is comprehended.

God Bless!

~Estella

Uncategorized

The Greatest Multi-level Marketer in the World


God is the greatest  Multi-level marketer (MLM) in the world. Jesus put forth the spark that set His initial downline on fire when He spoke forth the Great Commission in the Gospel of Matthew 28:18-20:

“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Isn’t it wonderful to know you are a part of the initial great commission on earth? I remember when I was 17 and I saw something in a group of people who loved and followed Jesus Way in this world and I wanted that for myself.  This is why encountering the love of Jesus Christ of Nazareth is so contagious, there is nothing like it in this world and it keeps getting better with time as we allow His love and forgiveness to override the shiny objects in this world that often evoke the serpents of fear; doubt and worry.

The only difference in language that perhaps more accurately fits God’s MLM would be this:  instead of referring to the people who live in the freedom of knowing the One who died to save them as a “downline” it’s an UPline on all levels! As we surrender UP our needs, plans and purpose to His sovereign will for our lives we get to participate in the freedom that Christ has set us free for, that ultimately leads to the fullness of life.

Enjoy your gift of life and making God recognizable today in your words, thoughts, deeds and actions.

Because of His Love,

Lauren <><