Day 8 – Pray and Seek
Good morning!
Wonderfully Day 8! Happy Mother’s Day – for those who have given birth and those who have fed and continue to fed into another’s life! For some this day will be immense joy, for some a day of sadness and still others a day of emptiness. Pray and Seek ! Psalm 119: 130 – ‘The unfolding of your words gives light; Reach out to God today and accept His presence and His peace. Rejoice, Rejoice!
Rev. Jacki
Day 7 – On Your SpiritWoman Journey
Sisters,
Whew it is Day 7 and how are you doing? This is Your SpiritWoman journey and this first week was either very vigilant or just ho-hum.
Something to think on: People who aren’t in transition are numb. If you are alive in Christ Jesus, you are in transition. If you are growing, you are in transition. If you are freaked out by thinking about your triggers, you are in transition. If this has gotten on your nerves, you are in transition. We are moving from the known to the unknown. We are expanding our possibilities.
As we end this week, please give yourself some love, be reminded of hope and most importantly practice forgiveness for yourself and others.
Although the second picture says “become something beautiful” – MY SISTERS YOU ARE ALREADY BEAUTIFUL and if you don’t believe me – post I AM BEAUTIFUL ON YOUR MIRROR AND SAY IT UNTIL IT BECOMES REAL IN YOUR MIND, because I believe God for your beauty. Happy Saturday!
Rev. Jacki
Day 6 – Keep Your Peace
Dear Sisters,
How to rid of triggers is a question you may be asking from Saturday’s session- Start by not writing the end of the story! Only God knows the end – live in today only and for some, it will be second by second.
Drop your need for outcomes (writing the end of the story). Drop agendas. Drop your definitions. Drop SELF-CRITICISM. And Drop to your knees (physically or symbolically) with gratitude for the possibilities before you, already present and as sleek as panthers. Enter this given, holy moment and emerge into a God inspired future.
Reference for the panther – they are elusive animals, not caught up in the daily behavior of any other cat – they behave in a manner of grace and daily release from the past and live only in the day.
Rev. Jacki
Day 5 – Remain In Love, Joy & Peace
Good Day Beautiful,
I hope you are well. Today, just today make an active decision to remain in love, joy and peace and to “fast” from old patterns of criticism, judgements, fear and doubt. You will hear and feel the Holy Spirit lighten your load.
You, O Lord, remain our refuge & our strength; the One who protects & sustains us thru the best of times as well as the worst of times. For You are a God of Peace & I Am so grateful You left Your Peace to abide with us as Your commanding words echo in my heart, mind & soul: “Peace be still. Peace be still. Peace be still. Peace . . . .”
Day 4 – Listen to the Voice Of God
Sisters,
Let us today attend to the voice of God. This journey has been chosen as the time when we will seek and hear and learn and gain understanding. Remember God’s healing voice protects all things.
Rev. Jacki
Day 2 – A Fresh Start Monday
Hello Sisters,
Try to make the time during your devotions and if you don’t have a devotional period, perhaps this is a time to begin. Our commitment in this 40 days is to shift from a certain way of being that we considered normal, [triggers] into a whole new way of being, leaning and depending on Jesus Christ as our guide.
For the remainder of the 39 days, we are going to be paying very close attention to the thoughts that we are having, the words that we are using, the stories that we are telling. As we do this, we will start to notice the voice in your head, and there’s actually two voices. You’re going to be able to distinguish between the two of them.
So I ask that you think about the beliefs that you hold about yourself – beliefs that have been unconsciously running the show. I suggest that you write them down and then take another piece of paper and remember that old things have passed away; you are a new creation in Christ and take the card that you were given and declare those beliefs – and here are few others: I am forgiving myself and others; I am NOW willing to let go of past beliefs about myself because those are my past and I take the next steps toward a better future. I begin every day with forgiveness, gratitude and live every day with love. I clear my grief with cleansing tears; My heart beats to the rhythm of love; This is one statement that for me is life changing: I easily let go of ALL disempowering beliefs. TRUST GOD for guidance and watch THINGS CHANGE.
Rev. Jacki
Day One – Spirit Transformation
Good Morning Women of MPC and the world!
This is day one of our 40 day Spiritwoman transformation. Please know that the Light has come, this is your declaration of release! This journey is not about perfection, it is about transformation and reconciliation with yourself and Christ Jesus.
I am excited for the changes that we may see within and those as well with our sisters. Remember, when one of your triggers comes at you, you will WHAT – Speak not, Hear not, See not.
Love you – Rev Jacki.
He Is Risen! Now what?
Matthew 28:6 (NIV) He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
It’s Resurrection Sunday evening and I’m a little tired from all of my celebrating. I went to Maundy Thursday service, Good Friday service and Easter service at two different churches. After I went to the early service at my church, I was inspired to visit another in the afternoon. It makes sense that I tired feeling , I have spent a ton of time worshipping and praising the Lord. I’ve been to four services over this long weekend and have heard a total of 10 different messages. Each individual message definitely spoke to me. This includes pastors who shared on the each of the seven last words.
Each and every service I went to was extremely powerful. The words were so on point. I know that I know that I know Jesus died and he rose again for me. He certainly died for you too. Redemption has been granted. The resurrection is real. Jesus is alive for us all and in us all who believe, accept and know.
For a moment, I’m going to focus on me. I’m not really taking this as a selfish moment. I am, however, putting myself on blast – a sort of public accountability session. Can I spend this much time with the Lord and in the company of believers, live through so many spiritual and emotional experiences and still be the same ‘Joy” I was? This is not just limited to the services. I’m also counting all of the effort of the Lenten Challenge. It is possible that all of it is just temporary. Should it be? Of course not! There should be some lasting change. Will there be?
Just as I prepared to type these words, I took a moment to check my twitter account. Unwiittingly, my friend Aqua Copeland gave me the answer.
@Favored1Aqua We can’t stay trapped in the same condition, issues, and situations year after year. We have #Resurrection Power!
Clearly, I took on the #LentenChallenge to be transformed. I’m looking for self-improvement and a greater spiritual connection. I’ve created some positive momentum. Will it stick? Or will I simply go back to my old ways? When I had the opportunity to add old stuff back in to my diet after the stroke of midnight, I didn’t miss a beat. Chocolate was popped into my moth. Fish was on plate. Cheesy carbs were also added. While I don’t plan to gorge myself as I have done in the past or eat some of these things all the time, I really have yet to commit myself to plan. I could slip into a new bad habit without focus and effort. I am working and praying on a better path. The evidence will be when I act on it.
How I take care of my body temple is only one aspect of making sure that I’m GospelFit and drawing closer to the Lord and connecting to “Resurrection Power!” Even though, I’m feeling a little tired, I’m also feeling on fire for the Lord. Continually working to build my relationship with the Lord needs to bear some tangible fruit. I’ll be praying, meditating and focusing on translating that feeling into action. What about you?
@GospelFit #LentenChallenge Day 40 ~ Standing in His Presence
Mark 15:37-39 (NIV) 37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. 38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”
Imagine standing in front of Jesus and finally recognizing that He is the Son of God. It must have been such an awesome experience. I think of the blessing that the centurion had for actually being in the presence of Jesus. It also brings to mind the opportunity that he may have lost. Jesus walked in his midst before while He was alive. Did the centurion know Jesus before the end? Was he changed by that experience? Was he drawn closer to God?
Surely, we know that Sunday is coming! Jesus is near. During this lenten season, we may have taken steps to get ourselves closer to the Lord. We may have faltered. Today ends our Lenten Challenge. However, it does not end our journey. We are standing in the presence of Jesus and we can be transformed.
There are so many levels of transformation during this season. Some of this transformation occurs because we want it to and we are willing to put in the work to be a better disciple for Christ. We are putting time in the Word and with God in Prayer. We also work on taking care of our body temples in a manner that is pleasing to God. For we know that we are to honor God with our temples.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
The ultimate transformation and gift from the Lord is that Jesus died and rose again for you and me. He has cleansed us for now and eternal life. Knowing that we are free from the condemnation of sin is powerful and should help us to lead lives in the abundance that God promised and plans for us. Ultimately, our goal should be to stand in His presence and hear the words, “Well done.”
Joy
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@Gospelfit #LentenChallenge Day 39 ~ Where’s God?
Luke 23:46 46 Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last.
When we are troubled and going through issues or we have a plethora of circumstances that are consuming our time, money, emotions, or attention, it can become difficult to feel like God has EVERYTHING under control. We may become so consumed with what we are GROWING through that we forget to pray. We neglect the power of crying out to our God, Who, yes has everything under control. Can We Talk?!
During this Lenten season we are reminded of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection. Jesus, being fully man felt some of the same emotions that we experience. He experienced rejection, anger, pain, doubt, and fear. In His final minutes on earth, His question to God was, why have You forsaken me. Rest assured that just like with Jesus, God has not forgotten you. He was in control then and He is still in control now. The Word promises that He will never leave or forsake us.
As we press through this last week of the Lenten Challenge, take comfort in knowing that whatever you are GROWING through God is with you. He knew that you would have these challenges before you today. He is not caught off guard or surprised by your circumstances. God didn’t get busy and when He turned His attention back again, there was Jesus on the cross. His plan for Jesus and His plan for reconciling our hearts back to His was predestined. Your life in Him is predestined. God knows that you are able through Him to handle all the challenges you face. Trust Him to heal and handle the issues, situations, and circumstances in your world. He is still in control. He is as close as your next whispered prayer.
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