What is God asking of you?  If you have to think about that question, then He is probably not "on you" about something specific at this very moment.  But...if when you read that question your heart skipped a beat and a cold sweat broke out on your forehead....you, my friend, are who I'm talking to!

God is asking me to let go of fear in an area of my walk with Him.  This is scary for me. I want to let go and I realize I really don't have a choice if I want to move fowared in the plans God is calling me to.  What I have come to learn is that God knows when we are ready for change.  We don't.  He knows us better than we know ourselves.  He wouldn't call us to change if He knew we weren't ready.  This past year I've lost about 25 pounds or so....I had been trying to lose that weight for years.  For some reason, God knew this past year I was ready.  Ready for what?  Well...I was finally ready to listen and do it His way.  Not mine.

I know if God is asking me to let go of fear and move out in courage and boldness for Him, than He must know I am ready.  I'm taking small, timid, baby steps forward to let God know I am ready to do this His way.  I'm choosing to "get on the bus" and go on this journey He is calling me to.  I'm making myself accountable to a few people who will help keep me moving forward.

Let me know by emailing me at lizwinn@kc.surewest.net.  Tell me what God is asking of you and come join me on the journey of change.  I'm saving you a seat on the bus!

In Him,

Elizabeth

For the past several weeks, I have been inviting a spirit of repentance into our home and hearts.  And you know what?  I have seen it at work. It is a beautiful thing to experience and observe.

Repentance is not a popular conversation starter or an exciting topic at a dinner party. I'm not hearing tons of sermons preached on the subject....too bad for us.  I say "too bad for us" because repentance is a wonderful act.  The stirring in our hearts to repent is brought to us by "God's kindness" according to Romans 2:4.  Isn't it just like God to use His kindness to draw us to humble ourselves and admit our sin? God knows if we welcome a spirit of repentance into our life we will stay true to His heart and His desires.

Repentance frees us from deception.  If our hearts remain in a position of repentance, the enemy will have a very difficult time decieving us. When we are tuned into God and His voice then the voice of the enemy will be drowned out.  We won't get very far down the wrong road if we have committed our hearts to live in a repentant state.  

Repentance keeps the pathway between us and God free of clutter and confusion.  When we are searching our heart and asking God to reveal any sin so we can deal with it, God is then able to move freely in our life.  There is nothing hindering Him.  God is free to speak to us because our ears are attentive to His voice.  There is room in our lives for miracles to happen when our life is lined up perfectly with His will and our hearts are clean.  What a motivation to repent when needed!

Repentance also invites humility to be a huge part of our life. In fact, one does not work without the other.  Repentance requires humility to be present. If you are like me and struggle with the sin of pride....then welcoming a spirit of repentance into my life ushers in humility at the same time. When I repent for pride in my life...as I repent, I can feel pride leaving and being replaced with humility.  This is such relief for my soul.  

Repentance keeps our very real need for Christ in front of us.   There is no substitute for His forgiveness and holiness being poured out upon us as we live a repentant life.    

In Him,

Elizabeth

January brings a feeling of new beginnings. We usually make resolutions that don't last too long and we go back to the same routine by March. This year I've decided to try something new with my thoughts on change. I've decided to take the entire month of January to determine my course for the new year. I'm reflecting on Proverbs 16:3 "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." and Proverbs 16:9 "We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it."

You see, real change can only come from a work of the Holy Spirit. I want to do things differently this year but my flesh will cry out for more of the same.....same foods, same habits, same routine! If I'm going to truly make a change - it has to be something that God has planned and then I have to let Him be in charge of the process. So, here's what I've done so far; I've asked God to show me where I can improve/change in the following areas: spiritual, relational, physical, financial, and professional.

I'm going to pray and seek His guidance in these areas and wait, expectantly for Him to answer and guide me. Only then will I make my plan and begin the process of true, lasting, authentic change. Until then, I'm going to stay in close communicaiton with the ultimate planner - listening and waiting for His small voice. If I listen and obey......I pray this will be a year that I can be used for His Glory in every area of my life!!

Until next time....Live Well!
Tracie

I have been reading in Romans for the past couple of weeks.  Good stuff.  Tough stuff.  For instance....Romans 5:3-4 Paul says "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." This suggestion that we should rejoice in suffering is a tough one to wrap my brain around. But God has been showing me that even though suffering is not pleasant, it is necessary for my growth in Him.  If I don't suffer...I won't grow.  I won't learn how to persevere in my faith if everytime something tough happens, God shows up and immedietly makes it all better.  

This past November we lost one of our two cars in an auto accident.  About two weeks later, we lost our other car in another auto accident.  Praise the Lord no one was injured, but the cars sure were! So all of a sudden we found ourself car-less.  Now...in the Winn household we drive old, paid for, only carry liability insurance on, cars.  Our family motto, as the rain is coming thru the roof because the sunroof leaks, is "hey, it's paid for!"  We don't mind this...we like living debt free!  But as we took stock of our situation....we were in a pickle.  So we began to pray.  We knew God was not surprised by our predicament...He wasn't up in Heaven saying "gee, didn't see that one coming..hmmm."  No, we knew He had a plan, so we began to wait and trust.  

God didn't move quite as fast as I thought He would...or should.  Each day got tougher to "rejoice" as we were driving around a borrowed car and wondering where the money for, not just one car, but two cars was going to come from. There were some very "doubt filled" moments where I wanted to take things into my own hands and just go "do the norm"...get a car payment.  But we both knew God was wanting us to trust Him.  He was speaking everyday to us through His Word.  He was not silent...He just wasn't moving as fast as we wanted Him to.

 After waiting and praying for over three weeks,  someone blessed us with some money to go towards the purchase of a car.  Halleluia!  God was moving.  We continued to pray and cling to Him, trusting His plan was better than our plan. One week later another blessing came.  A week later, another.  One week later... another.  In a matter of 3 weeks, God provided enough money for us to not only buy two GREAT (better than we had) used vehicles, but also pay for our son's Spring tuition at college. Suffering produced in us perseverance which produced character which produced HOPE!

I grew through this experience.  It was hard.  It was not fun.  It tested me.  But...I was so close to Him.  I didn't go through it alone.  Next time...yes, I am confident there will be a "next time"...I will remember His faithfulness and it will breathe into me hope and faith and the fight to persevere for His best.  

So...rejoice.

In Him,

Elizabeth