"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." (James 3: 17 NKJV)

God is not in a hurry. If you fill pressured to make a quick decision, it's probably not God. His presence brings peace to our circumstances. Even a tough decision that requires a timely response can be made in peace when we slow down and receive instruction. Sometimes God speaks to our hearts. Other times we receive wise counsel from a trusted mentor, pastor, counselor, or friend.

Prayer: God, I have important decisions to make. I lay my desires at Your feet. I will wait on Your instruction. If I am to seek wise counsel, please prompt me to seek, and trust You to send the best person to advise me. If You want to speak to my heart directly, help me to take time to listen quietly for further instruction. However the answer comes, I will remember that godly answers contain godly characteristicss. The wisdom I need to make my decision is:

1. pure
2. peaceable
3. gentle
4. willing to yield
5. full of mercy
6. without partiality
7. without hypocrisy

In Jesus' name, Amen.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. (Psalm 32:8 NKJV)

Today, I find great comfort in this scripture. But I remember when it frustrated me. My life was a desperate haze of pain and confusion. I wanted freedom, but I didn't know where to begin. I needed the words in my Bible (which are alive and active) to be alive and active in my life. 

If you can relate, don't give up. Highlight a few verses in the Bible that speak to your circumstances. Next, hold fast to the promises of God. If what you've highlighted is a prayer, pray it daily. Memorize the Word of God. Speak it aloud everyday. When you can't sleep, meditate on the Word of God.

Psalm 32:8 is a great place to start. Write it down and carry it with you. Pray it everyday. Make time to LISTEN for His response, write down what you hear, and then follow His lead.

Lord, instruct me and teach me in the way I should go. Counsel me and watch over me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Overtime, you will become increasingly aware of when He is instructing, teaching, counseling, and watching over you. In those moments, thank Him and record the date in your journal.

"Lord, thank You for instructing me and watching over me. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Powerful. Practical.

Are you willing to give it a try?

"For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there." (James 3:16 NKJV)

Confusion is a by-product of envy and self-seeking. If you're up to your chin in confusion; self reflect. Is your faith wavering? Are the motives behind your decision making based on self-preservation and/or self-protection? If the answer is yes, confess. Christ delights in our humble confessions--the conduit with which His strength flows.

When we attempt to control our own fate, we will not hear clearly from God. We will suffer from confusion.

Lately, I've been confused about a few things. So, this morning, I will humbly ask the Lord to reveal where I self-seek and self-preserve.

How about you? Are you confused?  

Prayer: Thank You, Lord for speaking to me today. When I hit road-blocks and confusion, reveal to me the areas where I push You away and attempt to control my own fate. It is my heart's desire to hear You clearly and then act on Your instruction. I ask to walk humbly before You all the days of my life. In Jesus' name, Amen

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye. Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, which must be harnessed with a bit and bridle, else they will not come near you." (Psalm 32: 8-9 NKJV)

To receive instruction from God, we must seek instruction from God. We ask in prayer, read His word, and yield to what He teaches us. He will not fight us for control. If we're stubborn about doing things our way, we will walk through the natural consequences of our actions. The good news is, God is merciful. We are free to confess, "Lord, I messed up. Forgive me. Teach me Your ways."

Where do you see yourself today? Are you stubborn about controlling outcomes, or are you willing to yield to God's ideas. He sees the other side of your disappointments, and delights in restoring your joy.

Prayer: God, You see my circumstances. You know what it will take for me to experience lasting change in my life. Teach me how to seek You and yield to You. Heal the places in my heart that compel me to control outcomes. I invite Your transforming love into my fears. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Yesterday, I had two appointments that I rejoice to know will not be necessary in heaven: Dental and well-woman exams. As I waited for the good doctor who will aid me through peri-menopause, I thought to myself: That-a-girl! This is what responsible women--who care about their health, do.

I have a friend who faithfully schedules these appointments. It doesn't come as easy for me. As a child, I didn't have regular check-ups, and its carried over into adulthood. Yesterday's appointments kicked off the breaking of the generational neglect of annual and semi-annual check-ups.

Today's daily dose ties in with my blog, so I encourage you to read it, too. Together, they show the progression of healing. For several years now, I've taken good care of myself. I eat healthy foods, drink water, exercise regularly, get plenty of rest, and love God with all my heart. But I neglected well exams.

God, who draws us with cords of loving-kindness, will always lead us to places where that loving-kindness can be expressed. In other words, as the depth of His love continually pours into us, it must also pour over and out; expressed in the way we treat ourselves and others.

When is the last time you went to the dentist for a check-up? Are you overdue for a well-woman exam? These things are important to Jesus because YOU are important to Jesus.

Saturday I took my son to see Soul Surfer, the movie based on the true story of Bethany Hamilton, a young surfer who lost her arm in a shark attack. It's an amazing story of triumph against all odds. A testament to what is possible when we determine to trust God in the midst of horrific circumstances. Please see it, though I would caution you to leave younger children at home. The scene when she is attacked would probably be too traumatic for them.

There's a scene in the movie when Bethany tells her father that she wants to surf again. "It won't be easy." He says.

"I don't need easy. I just need possible."

April is National Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. If you're a survivor. You CAN heal. It won't be easy, but it is possible. If you're feeling defeated by painful memories, remember, you are not defeated. Christ died and rose again to overcome the world. In His strength, we can overcome. His work on the cross secured hope for us in a world full of unexplainable tragedies.

Google Bethany Hamilton if you get a chance. God is using her to inspire people around the world. When asked if she had it to do over again, would she have gone into the water that day, she responded, "I've already embraced more people with one arm than I ever could have with two."

Wow--Just look what God can do!

"It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man." (Psalm 118: 8 NKJV)

A wise woman once said: God is the source, and the channels frequently change.

My husband and I were separated due to his drug addiction. He gave me a check to help cover our baby's expenses, but it bounced. I called my friend and that's when she said, "God remains the source of your provision. The channel has simply changed. You thought is was coming through a child support check. Go to your heavenly Father and ask for what you need."

And that's what I did. My Source provided. He always provided. It often came in unusual ways, but it came. And by the end of that first year, I trusted Him. He has done exceedingly more for me and my family than I ever could have imagined. My husband and I have been together now for fifteen years. Christ is the source of our miracle.

Have the channels recently changed for you? I pray you will come to know God as your Source in the deepest recesses of your heart.

Prayer: God, You are the source. The channels change, but You are my source. My fate rests in Your hands, not fallible man's. Make a way for me today as I walk in faith. In Jesus' name, Amen.