TAKE A PRAISE BREAK: Reset, Recharge, Refresh

When my children were young and busy into all sorts of mischief, they got ahold of my new digital watch. Somehow they set the alarm to ring every hour and I could not fix that watch!  The beep, beep of the watch was not very loud but it beeped faithfully every hour.

I decided that since I couldn’t stop it, I would use it creatively for my own benefit. That’s when I decided to take a praise break.  

MINI VACATION

If I was at home doing chores, or at work sitting in front of my computer, no matter where – my mind would leave the present and go to a place of thanksgiving and praise.  The soft alarm would remind me that I was always in the presence of God and his angels were dispatched to help me during the ordinary times of my daily life as well as times of crisis.

IN THE NICK OF TIME

Sometimes it would beep in time to rescue me from my own bad attitude. There were times at work I just needed to get away from gossip, competition and political behavior, then it would alarm. I had a sweet secret – I could take a mini vacation to the realm of praise. I would thank Him for my job, my health, for loving me, for saving me, for Jesus dying in my place, for changing me. I would bless the Lord, in the quietness of my heart. Just for a few minutes and then return feeling refreshed and privileged to have a relationship with the living God, my Father. 

BEAUTY TREATMENT

Praise is like a beauty treatment. Such pleasantness will shine out of you when you have a thankful heart. Praise is comely (pleasant to look at; attractive) to the upright says the Psalmist in Psalm 33:1 and in Psalm 149:4 For the Lord takes pleasure in His people. He will beautify the meek with salvation. It blesses the Lord when we praise Him and it blesses us also. His presence shows up when we praise Him and there is a sense of well-being.

POWER OF PRAISE

Praise functions not only to beautify us but is assists in lifting us out of a low place and forcing back the enemies of our joy.  Praise is the hallmark of those that belong to Him. The result of praise is living with an awareness of His presence, which brings joy and peace.

If you are losing the wonder and awe of living this life and have trouble fighting the good fight of faith. Let me prescribe a remedy that will help to bring out the best in you. -- Take a praise break! 

HOW IS COURAGE MANUFACTURED?

In the Wizard of Oz Dorothy and her group of friends were on a journey to meet the wizard of Oz to get from him the gifts and abilities they needed. The tin man wanted a heart, the scarecrow wanted a brain and the lion wanted courage.  The wizard turned out to be a hoax but they found out that what they wanted from the wizard was already inside of them or within their ability to do. They needed the words of the wizard to inform them that they already had what they needed.

Courage Manufactured

I was feeling a little reluctant to move forward in writing and some other things that I am endeavoring to do - desires that have been in my heart for years. God put those desires there. But I was re-considering. Thinking that maybe I am taking on too much and I began to hesitate.

I attended church and heard a good friend, Minister Carolyn Jones, minister the word. When that word was spoken into my spirit I could almost feel a transfusion of courage rising up in my heart. I was so blessed by the message and I realized that I had just been in a place where courage is manufactured. My heart was open as God poured in the boldness to do what is in my heart. God encouraged me through His word.    

What's In Your Heart?

Do you want to do something that you are afraid to try or take a stand for something you may be misunderstood or ridiculed for? Maybe your challenge is a new role or leadership position. I don’t think it’s unusual to be a little afraid to obey God when He is prompting you to take on a new venture or task.

When we are moving out of our comfort zone we often feel unsure. God told Joshua as he assigned him the leadership role that was once Moses’s - “be strong and very courageous”. He encouraged Joshua three times in Joshua 1:6, 7, and 9. 

Draw It Out

Sunday I was reminded that like Joshua, I have found how courage is manufactured inside of us - by faith in the words inspired by God to bring out what He has already deposited in us.

God is with you and I say to you as the people repeated to Joshua in 1:18 only be strong and very courageous.

How have you received the courage to move out of your comfort zone? Please feel free to share with us in the comments below.

CONVERT FEAR TO FUEL

I’m told that in martial arts if a person manages his stance and keeps his balance, he can beat his opponent by getting him off balance and using the opponent’s force, momentum and weight against him to bring him down and win the match. 

This made me think about the issues that we face in life that are in opposition to us, our dreams and our aspirations - but with the right attitude a negative situation can be converted to a positive outcome.

CONVERTING FEAR TO FUEL

When my husband died I was really scared; anything could happen, I thought.  My life had changed and the comfort of routine was replaced with the fear of the unknown.   Now I was the head of household with four children. It was frightening. I used that fear to fuel me as I moved into action and went back to school.  I was fully aware that I was using my fear as fuel.

The opponent was fear, too big for me to fight with my own strength; I steadied my stance with the Word of God. He will never leave me or forsake me (Heb 13:5b), I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil 4:14). 

WINNING THE BATTLE

When fearful thoughts would rush in at me, I lower myself in a position of prayer believing that God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all I can ask or think (Eph 3:20) and BAM, fear landed on the mat tripping and falling under it’s own weight.

Eventually I won that battle when I graduated and was rewarded with a good career.  During that time I came to understand and hope in what I call the conversion principle. 

THE CONVERSION PRINCIPLE

• Opposition can be converted to Opportunity
• Disappointment can be converted to Direction
• Failure can be converted to Future Victory
• Adversity can be converted to Advantage
• Worry can be converted to Worship

A good summary of the conversion principle would be: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28).

Have you converted a negative situation into a positive?  Please share it with us in the comments below

KICK DOUBT OUT - GET STARTED

Are you reluctant to take action?  Do you have a dream or desire that has remained with you for years?  Are you afraid to launch out into that next level?  Have you ever doubted yourself?

An old movie on TV moved me to action as I saw a distorted reflection of myself. Like looking into a carnival mirror, I recognized the limiting effect of self doubt as I watched Bertie in the movie “The King’s Speech” (GP version recommended). 

A TRUE STORY

In this true story, Bertie, who had suffered from a debilitating speech impediment all his life, was suddenly crowned King George VI of England. With his country on the brink of war and in desperate need of a leader, Bertie seeks out an unorthodox speech therapist. He coached the king and helped him deliver a speech that inspired his people and united them in battle. The King and the speech therapist remained friends throughout their lives and formed an unbreakable bond as he continued to coach the king.

SELF DOUBT

Speaking is not a big issue for me, I am relatively comfortable with public speaking – my issue is writing. I have wanted to write for many years – I made a few false starts but I always stop myself. Until recently I had not completely activated my desire because of self doubt. 

THE COLLABORATOR

I’m writing now because I kicked doubt out when I realized that I don’t have to do it alone. The good news is – you do not have to accomplish anything alone either. You have a helper who will join forces with you.

In John 14:16 Jesus told his disciples that another comforter would be sent to them. The Greek word for comforter is Paracletos, meaning – one called alongside to help. He has the wisdom (James 1:5) and the ability (gifts and power) which He invites you to draw from.

ACTIVATE YOUR DREAMS

I am thankful to God for sending friends and family who encouraged me to write and do all the things that God has placed in my heart.

Let me be one of the people sent to tell you to activate what God has placed in your heart. Walk through the doors He has opened. You can depend on the Holy Spirit, who wants to be involved in every aspect of your life. He will grace you to manifest your dreams. I’m here to cheer you on!