You got this!

You got this! Yes you do. Yes, the wording is not necessarily the Queen's English but it's appropriate for making an effective point (smile).   Whatever the this is that is standing before you right now that seems larger than life, larger than what you can handle and is attempting to limit you in ways that God has not permitted, you need to remind yourself that you got this! He has placed within you through Christ, all the spiritual, mental and physical power you need to take it on. Did you read that correctly? He has placed within you...that means the strength is not our own it's His.  Isn't that reassuring?!  Whatever the this is it can't hinder, distract or defeat you from doing whatever God has purposed you to do or from being all that God has purposed you to be...unless you allow it.

Yes, there will be some moments of fear, concerns, even some doubt or questions. There may be nay-sayers who will tell you that "this" is not what God has called you to do or that you should be something other than what you know in your spirit that you should be. At times your own thoughts will rise up and cause you to question if you are hearing God for your life.

Are you enjoying or enduring your life? That's an important question as we are into the beginning weeks of 2012. Yes, you know that you are blessed by the Best but are you living out that blessing to His glory and for the edification of others He places in your life?  The Bible tells us that our gifts will make room for us. If we are using our gifts to His glory then it makes room for us. Sadly, we are often too afraid to move out on the gifting. We want validation and acceptance from people.  We want to know for certain that we are moving in the right direction.  We want signs, wonders, confirmation and then more confirmations before we make up our minds to say, Yes Lord. Nothing wrong with confirmations but there comes a time when we just have to say Yes Lord to what He is leading and stop making excuses for not doing it. Whether it is losing weight, writing a book, starting a business, homeschooling children, getting involved in your child's school, beginning or finishing your education, improving yourself in God to impact your marriage, being a great caregiver, doing volunteer work in your community, starting up a ministry, serving in a particular area of ministry, going on missions trips, opening ourselves to new friendships or having to say goodbye to relationships that are toxic.  Time to say, Yes Lord.

Why do we so often need validation from people? Because often times regardless of how spiritually mature one is, we get scared. We don't want to fail God, our loves ones or ourselves.  As women we are often defined by who loves us and by the roles that we walk in and whether or not we walk those roles perfectly.  The world and even at times, the church world will define you by how well you do something or how good you look rather than just by who you are in Christ. That's why I love 1 Samuel 16:7 in the Amplified. Go check it out and then come on back and finish reading. I'll wait for you...

Wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, caregiver, minister, leader, business woman, homeschooler, PTA mom, soccer mom, student, retired, volunteer, etc. Whatever the role or the hat we so lovingly wear we want to know that we are doing a good job in that area. We want to please God and the people whom we care about and that's awesome but often times we beat up on ourselves when we don't feel we are making the mark or meeting the expectation. However, woman of God, daughter of the King-- you got this! With Abba Father's love, grace and covering, Jesus' love and help and the Holy Spirit's leading, you got this!

I'm not entirely certain where this message is coming from but it's live and in color today because it's coming out of my spirit.  I want to share this with you,  I ran into the new year with excitement and then a nasty stomach virus hit and set off some of the other internal issues I had from last year that still had not healed. I felt lousy for the last 9 days. I have been busting with excitement over the beautiful group of 28 women I've had the pleasure of teaching my Book and Companion Study Guide to on Wednesday nights. I've had the pleasure of other doors God is opening BUT in my mind I was feeling a bit discouraged. My body has lacked energy etc. and the enemy began to tell me, you'll have another sick year like last year and you'll be laid up for your birthday in February just like you were last year and don't even think about doing the things you say your God has purposed for you and your family so go sit down and stop getting excited! Oh yes he did! BUT, I had to cast down those negative thoughts and remind myself in Whom I believe and that GOD'S plan for me is great! I don't have the time to allow anything or anyone to set limits on me and neither do YOU dear one! In God we are limitless. Our boundaries are established by HIM for our life not by negative thoughts, worries, fears or circumstances.

I pray this encourages the person who needs it--you can do this because in Christ you got this! God has placed something awesome down inside of you that only you are in possession of! You are His workmanship -- His masterpiece! No one else has your DNA. Two thousand people on the earth could have the same gifting as you do and none of them will use the gift exactly the same way as you. Why? Because God made us all uniquely different and uniquely beautiful so it's time to get moving ladies! I love both the New Living Translation and Amplified version of Ephesians 2:10.

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.


Ephesians 2:10 (AMP) For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].

We are 17 days into 2012. What is it that you know you are supposed to be doing differently? What amazing thing has God purposed to do in and through you His amazing Daughter, to touch the world around you for the sake of Christ? And, what feelings of inadequacy is going on inside? What words are being rehearsed in your thoughts? Do those words align with God's plan for you?

Remember this, no person or no situation should define for you or for me who we can be or what we can do if God has purposed it for us. There will be earthly or what I call natural limits but we can overcome them in Christ to do whatever GOD has purposed for us to do and to be the best that we can be without beating ourselves up about it. We may experience some failures but we are NOT a failure! There's a difference! How can anyone who has been handcrafted by God be a failure! As they might say in the Military - "move out!" and as my Grandma used to say, "Go forth with courage and serve the Lord"!

Philippians 4:13 (AMP) I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].

I am not certain who this is to minister to or perhaps it is just to speak back to myself a word of encouragement but if it is also for you then grab it and run into prayer. Talk with Abba Father about what is on your mind and heart. Review the questions I gave you above.  He cares. He has called and equipped you in ways you have yet to comprehend or realize. I pray this will be your year! Remember, you got this! He put everything within you that you need. Trust and rely on Him and let us all give Him the glory!!!

Praying for you right now. Thank you for praying for me.