by Kathy Owen-Gifford

Quarantine 2020 has been lifted, almost… How are you doing? We’re out and about, headed to the beach, to the lake, to the water, to the mountains… why? Long weekend, Memorial Day! I’m so grateful to our service men and women!

And, I’m ready to go! Let’s go! Let’s go with a renewed sense of wonder, wander, and purpose. A rest with purpose. Be the light, be a reflection of the Father. Join the happy wanderers. Enjoy the blessing of a new day and let it show. Share your faith. Be present and open to the feelings of excitement and wariness. Do we stand closer than 6 feet now? Do we still wear masks? Yes, do what is comfortable and respectful of others. Be yourself, but be aware that there are those who don’t feel like themselves yet.

Today the world is opening; reflect on what these past two months have looked like for you.

It feels like we’ve all been getting ready for a new chapter, doesn’t it? What will this new chapter hold? Fortunately we know who holds the future! Do you know the song, “Because He Lives”? I love that song! You can listen to it here:

Beautiful!

How’s it Going? Are You Ready to Battle the Mind?

It is good to remember that the Biggest Battlefield we face is in our own minds.

The Battlefield of the Mind! Let’s begin at the conclusion… from two versions of the Bible.

The Amplified Bible – Ephesians 6: 10-12 The Armor of God:

“10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. 11 Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.”

The Message Bible – Ephesians 6: 10-12 A Fight to the Finish:

“10-12 And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.”

The biggest battlefield and ever present battlefield is the mind. What we believe, what we think without verification. Have you ever worried that you’ve broken a relationship beyond repair only to find out it was all in your head? What if we approached our thoughts as a battlefield? Daily putting on the whole armor of God to protect us. Daily conquering our thoughts?! If we decide not to be conformed to the world but renew our minds, daily, we will be transformed.

How’s it Going? Do You Have a Daily Quiet Time?

How has a daily quiet time transformed your mind? How have your thoughts become out of control? How do you take thoughts captive during a time when the world says, “be afraid”? We’ve learned how by renewing our minds! We can find our strength in the only One who can truly shepherd us – Jesus. The only One who can truly comfort us – The Holy Spirit. And, the only One who loved us so much even at our worst He sent His Son to die for us – Almighty God.

Listen to The God of Angel Armies!

WHOM SHALL I FEAR by Chris Tomlin

How’s it Going? How are you Missioning?

I’ve thought about my NACWE sisters a lot lately with regard to thoughts taken captive. How are we missioning/ministering to those around us? Are we helping them not fear? I hope so. Are we reminding ourselves and others that we must renew our minds to conquer our thoughts?

I need to be reminded, don’t you? I need to remind myself daily…

Let’s set a reminder alarm! The BE STILL AND KNOW alarm!!!

How would that change our days if we took a few minutes to LET GO AND KNOW!?

Have we let go in His presence? I recently read this meme from www.5MINUTESWITHJESUS.COM – a great website and they love it when you share.

How’s it Going? Are You Ready to Let Go?

Psalm 46:10 – Review in multiple translations!

King James Version:  10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible: “Stop your fighting—and know that I am God,

exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.”

The New Living Translation: “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”

The New King James Version: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

The Amplified Bible, Classic Edition: “Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!”

The Message Bible: “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.”

The Passion Translation Bible: “Surrender your anxiety![a] Be silent and stop your striving and you will see that I am God. I am the God above all the nations, and I will be exalted throughout the whole earth.”

The Voice Translation: “Be still, be calm, see, and understand I am the True God. I am honored among all the nations.  I am honored over all the earth.”

The Easy-To-Read Version: “God says, “Stop fighting and know that I am God! I am the one who defeats the nations; I am the one who controls the world.”

How’s it Going?
Are You Ready to Do Something New, Anything?
Are You Ready to Battle the Mind?
Do You Have a Daily Quiet Time?
How are you Missioning/Ministering?
Are You Ready to Let Go?

 
Love, 

Kathy