Faith Can Move Mountains

Welcome to day 87 devotional reading and reflection as we continue our journey through our discussion of  Joyce Meyer's book, " 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life." We are slowly approaching to a New Year and making our way down this mountain. We have worked through a lot of things. This last stretch is important and we are going to make it. Day 87~ Beware of Distractions~ Our scripture reading comes from Mark 4:19, " Then the cares and anxieties of the world and distractions of the age. and the pleasure and delight and false glamour and deceitfulness of riches, and the craving and passionate desire for other things creep in and choke and suffocate the Word, and it becomes fruitless." Many reasons why our lives seem complicated is that we are too often distracted. This is Satan's tool to keep us from achieving our God-given purpose in life. How often are we looking into our past and we become distracted of those past memories that we aren't focu

Welcome to day 86 devotional reading and reflection as we finish up our discussion of Joyce Meyer's book, " 100 Ways to Simplfy Your Life." Day 86~ Be Wise~ Our scripture reading comes from Proverbs 8:33, " Hear instruction and be wise, and do not refuse of neglect it." To have a more simplified life, we have to be mindful about our decisions that we make today that will affect our future. Maybe the best advice is that wisdom does not gamble but it invests. We have to take into consideration things that we should do now that we will be happy about in our later years. For an example, I made a serious decision about getting healthy. After hard work it will eventually pay off. In order to make these changes, I had to do the action of making the right decision to be healthy. "Wisdom cannot be a procrastinator because wisdom takes action" ( Meyer, 2007). The decisions we make are important to God and he wants us to seek him in those decisions. He ne

Welcome to day 85 devotional reading and reflection as we are making our way through Joyce Meyer's book, " 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life." Through the holidays it is difficult for many people to be apart of the holidays. I am one who is having an issue getting through them because I expected something different than I originally had in mind. Day 85~ The Gift of Generosity Through Inconvenience~ Our scripture reading comes from Proverbs 11:24-25, " There are those who [ generously] scatter abroad, and yet increase more; there are those who withhold more than is fitting or what is justly due, but it results only in want. The liberal person be enriched, and he who waters shall himself be watered." Have you ever considered inconveniences to be a gift of generosity? Around this Christmas season, many find themselves stressed or not in the mood for the holiday itself. Many reflect how inconvenient this holiday is for them. Some people are out of work, stru

Welcome to day 84 as we continue with our devotional reading and reflection! God is amazing and so loving! His story is what we need to be sharing instead of things about people. Day 84~ Avoid Gossip~ Our scripture comes from Proverbs 20:19, " He who goes about as a table bearer reveals secrets; therefore associate not with him who talks too freely." I have in the past didn't understand the difference between gossiping and just talking to people. Then the Last few years I have experienced Where people would use asking for prayer and would want more details of the situation. This is an awful trap to get into. I have to remember to back off when giving prayer requests and keep it simple. Before I go share something, I have to ask if it's true and would that person want me to share it with somebody else. I have to admit that Facebook is bad because I will put something out there. I need not to do that. You just want people to get the clue but in reality they kn

Welcome to Day 83 devotional reading and reflection as we make our way down this mountain! God has given us major insights in our to simply our lives. Day 83~ Avoid Temptation  Our scripture reading comes from Romans 1313-14,  " Put on the Lord Jesus Christ,  and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lists." Today we are exposed to so many things that we don't always pay attention to something that seems so innocent can eventually lead us to destruction to our lives. I have seen many who were addicted to drugs and alcohol that it ended up killing them. I love my pasta and bread,  that if I eat too much of it,  my system slows down!  It eventually makes me sick and groggy!  If we continue to take pleasures of this world and less of Jesus,  we are setting us up for failure!  Reflection ~ Turn Around  We tend to act like the Children of Israel  grumbling and complaining that we often don't pay attention to dangers! In Duet. 2:3, " Turn a

Welcome to Day 82 devotional reading and reflection as we are summing up our journey through Joyce Meyer's book, "100 Ways to simplify Your life." Day 82~ The Battle Belongs to the Lord~ We often cause more complications in our lives when we go fighting our battles because we don't trust God. The events or situations in our lives are not what makes life complicated, but it is merely our actions in how we approach them. When we approach events fearful or doubting,  we are putting ourselves into turmoil which is another tool for Satan to keep us under his foot. I tend to always over think a situation and cause so much anxiety that I cannot sleep. I have to learn to trust God. He will always be there in my defense.  Reflection ~ Give God Praise~ Throughout the Bible, God has instructed us not to be afraid because he has overcome the world! Paul tells us to be content in every situation. Is it easy?  No! In Psalm,  23:1,  " The Lord is my shepherd. I shall

Welcome to day 81 devotional reading and reflection as we continue our journey through Joyce Meyer's book,  " 100 was to simplify your life." Day 81~ Watch your Tongue ~ Our scripture comes from Psalm 34:13, " Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit." We are in the generation of speaking our mind whenever we feel we need to voice our opinion. We were instructed to teach our children to express their feelings. We allow them to make those decisions on what they think they need to do! There is a time to say something or when to keep our thoughts to ourselves. There are times I just want to tell people what they need to do! Sometimes they need to learn on their own. The problem is that the words we speak often does not edify the person or situation. We don't realize how much power we have in our tongue. Refer to Proverbs 18:21. Reflection ~ You will Eat Your Words   In James 3:2,  "We all stumble in many ways. Anyone

Welcome to day 80 as we are continuing with our devotional reading and reflection.God is amazing and so loving! We don't deserve anything and so often take it for granted. Day 80~ A bit of Grace for Today~ Our scripture reading comes from James 4:6, "But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Today as I was working,  I realized how undeserving I am of God's blessings in my life. We are looking at God's grace. God loves us so much that he sent His son to die for our sins. As I struggle with learning new schedules and children,  I mess up a lot. People have been patient with me learning children and routines from all classrooms. It has made this transition to a new place easier!  Reflections ~ God's Grace is Sufficient  In Romans 5: 20, The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more." No matter how much we mess up,

Day 79 welcome to our devotional reading and reflection as we are finishing up our discussion on Joyce Meyer's book,  " 100 Was to Simplify Your Life." Day 79~ Don't have an Overactive Conscience ~ Our scripture reading comes from Psalm 97:6, " The heavens declare His righteousness,  and all the people see His glory." Do you have an overactive conscience!? What does that mean? When we tend to apologize for everything because we don't want to offend anybody. I felt over anxious at times and I felt I did something wrong so I would always say " I'm sorry." I always think someone is mad at me but in reality they are having a bad day. I always seem like something is wrong. One day my friend said that I over react with my thinking. Sometimes they are just tired, not feeling well,  overly bad day or just chilling. Reflections ~ understanding God's Righteousness  It is better to be in good standing with God first. Simply living

Welcome to day 78 devotional reading and reflection as we continue our journey through Joyce Meyer's book, " 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life." After a few days to spend time with family through Thanksgiving, I had a bad spell. You know that spell where, it wasn't what you thought it should be like spell. I kinda hopped onto the pity train and derailed a few times. There is something that God reminded me in a few ways and we are going to talk about a clear conscience. Day 78~ Having a Clear Conscience~  Our scripture reading comes from Matthew 6:23, " But if your eye is unsound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the very light in you [ your conscience ] is darkened, how dense is that darkness." Nothing worse to have is a guilty conscience that eventually complicates our lives. With a guilty conscience, it prevents us from enjoying anything that God has for us. We get all caught up in what that person did or how that situation unfolded

Welcome to day 77 devotional reading and reflection as we continue on with our discussion through Joyce Meyer book,  " 100 Ways to Simplify your life. " God is so good! We often take things forgranted! We are approaching Thanksgiving and how often do we say thank you to our Heavenly Father! Day 77~ Pray Ahead of Time~ Our scripture reading comes from Psalm. 88:2, " Let my prayer come before you and really enter into Your presence; incline Your ear to my cry! " When I was growing up,  I had Italian Christian neighbors who were a huge blessing to me and my family!  I was always eating with their family and nobody could make her baked ziti. This contributed to my weight issues because Italian food is my weakness. During the summer she would have a small VBS  in her home for all the neighborhood kids until we reached our teenage years.  After each VBS,  we were going to their church to receive our certificate. God provided them during the time my grandma passe

Welcome to day 76 with our devotional reading and reflection as we continue through Joyce Meyer's book, " 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life." Every day is a new beginning. Things come and go! But the one thing that remains is God. Day 76 ~ Don't Give up~ Our scripture reading comes from Romans 8:37, " Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us." It is so easy to develop a " give up" attitude with situations that happen throughout our life time. Problem with giving up, we start buying into all these "lies" that Satan starts repeating and then our thinking starts to react to those lies. The cycle begins when it starts to affect our emotions and attitudes. I am the most miserable when I am hanging around those that are always negative or want to make you feel less important because it's all about them. I am sure many of you have heard many things that people have s

Welcome to day 75 devotional reading and reflection as we continue with our discussion of Joyce Meyer's book, " 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life." What happens when we loose our focus is that we forget who is in our corner all the time. We are making our way down this mountain to be prepared to start living the way God has intended us to live and to remember He is on our side. Day 75~ God is For Us~ Our scripture comes for Romans 8:31, " What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us."  We have to admit that everyone we encounter with will not like us nor some of our beliefs. Then we get wrapped up in getting people to like us by trying to please them more than God. Has anybody else fallen into that trap? I have numerous times. We have to realize the ones who loves us and accept us for who we are, are the ones that matter. Walk away from ones that bring you no purpose! Its' ok! When ever you face disapp

Welcome to day 74 devotional reading and reflection as we continue our study through Joyce Meyer's book, " 100 Ways to simplify Your Life." Each new day God gives us a chance to do better. It takes a lot of hard work to improve things for the better. The best thing to do is to take one day at a time. Day 74 ~ Tackle Each Day~ Our scripture reading comes from Acts 24:16, " Therefore I always exercise and discipline myself [ mortifying my body, deadening my carnal affections, bodily appetites, and worldly desires, endeavoring in all respects] to have a clear (unshaken, blameless) conscience, void of offense toward God and toward men." This is so difficult at times to be reminded that I have to discipline myself to do better. I get sidetracked easily because I start a project and move on to the next because I get so far to realize I have to figure out another step before it is finished. If I ignore daily tasks for just a day, it seems that a week as come

Welcome to day 73 devotional reading and reflection as we continue our discussion on Joyce Meyer's book, " 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life." We have embarked on this journey not knowing what God was revealing. Some things were obvious while others were something to work on. Yesterday we discussed how important it is to be in solitude with God. We are going to discuss what it means to be eternally minded. Day 73 ~ Be Eternally Minded~ Our scripture comes from Colossians 3:2, " And set your minds and keep them set on what is above ( the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth." I have to admit that I have a problem with reasoning. I have seen others are having the same issue with the results of the election. This has opened up my eyes. I am a planner to detail with certain things. It is hard just to go with the flow at times because it makes me nervous. The " What ifs", conquer my mind and then find myself aggravated. Recently,

Welcome to day 72 as we continue with our devotional reading and reflection based on our discussion of Joyce Meyer's book, " 100 ways to Simplify Your Life." Throughout these 72 days of devotions, I have been telling you how important it is to have a personal relationship with God daily. I am going to express the importance even more. Day 72 ~ Solitude~ Our scripture is from Isaiah 32:18, " My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, in safe dwellings, and in quiet resting-places." The reason why so many times we are overwhelmed or stressed out is that we aren't taking the time for ourselves. It is important to spend some quiet time just to sit and breathe. This allows you mind to shut down and emotions to level out. This is where you will find everlasting peace. I love the water. I grew up in Upstate New York. Every summer we went camping to the 1000 Islands and Clayton NY just off of the St. Lawrence River. My great Aunt and Uncle lived r

Welcome to day 71 with our devotional reading and reflection. The last few days we have been discussing changes rather them being positive or negative. When it comes to changes we have to be realistic and be wise as we make our way down the path that God is leading us. Let's talk more! Day 71~ Wisdom is What Keeps You From Burn Out~ Our scripture reading comes from Proverbs 3:13, " Happy ( blessed, fortunate, enviable) is the man who finds skillful and godly Wisdom, and the man who gets understanding [ drawing it forth from God's Word and life's experiences]." After many studies on wisdom, I have to admit that I don't always acknowledge my limitations and I keep going until I'm done. I was doing things just to do things to keep people happy. I thought I was serving God but in reality I was caught in pleasing people. Burn out is something that we all have faced in our lifetime. It isn't something that happens overnight and it is done the next

" Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish." ~ John Quincy Adams~ Welcome to day 70 devotional reading and reflection as we continue through our discussion bases on Joyce Meyer's book, " 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life." The last few days we have focused on making changes to better our lives. We have a few more topics to bring it into full circle as to why changes are important. Day 70 ~ Progress Done One Step at a Time~ Our scripture reading comes from James 1:4, " But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [ with no defects], lacking in nothing." Write this verse down on a note card and place it where you will see it everyday. If you have made notes on changes that God has brought to your attention within the last few days or weeks, this verse will keep your focus. God loves

Welcome day 69 devotional reading and reflection as we continue our discussion through Joyce Meyer's book, " 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life." God is amazing if we just take the time to develop our personal relationship with him. That's all he desires from us! We are embarking on changes and understanding how God is in control. Today we are learning to be realistic. Day 69~ Be Realistic in Your Expectations~ Our scripture comes from Psalm 39:7, " And now, Lord, what do I wait for and expect? My hope and expectation are in you." Where does your expectations come from? Are you depending on that job security, family, best friend, girl/boy friend, or even your spouse? Are you depending on your church, community or your education? All these things are temporary! They can disappear anytime. I don't know about you, ever had someone disappoint you when you needed them the most. That job you thought was great and then lost it. Many of us are having issu

Welcome to day 68 devotional reading and reflection as we continue our discussion through Joyce Meyer's book, " 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life." God has been lighting up our journey path that are connecting to what he has been telling people generation after generations to do. Sometimes what is obvious is the most difficult to admit. Day 68~ Change is a Good Thing~ Our scripture reading comes from Job 36:24, " Remember that [by submission] you magnify God's work, of which men have sung." I personally know that a lot of people fear change. I have to be the first to admit that I don't like change either. Sometimes we have to make changes for positive reasons to get us to the next step in life. I don't like to exercise. Matter fact, gym class was my least favorite subject in school. I hated to sweat because my hair would go flat and my make up would run. Vanity is pride! I didn't want to join a gym, but the last year it has been beneficia

Welcome to day 67 as we make our way down this mountain. Each step is important to help throw off some baggage that we don't need to keep carrying it. We are continuing our discussion based on Joyce Meyer's book, " 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life." It is so amazing how our God is! Let's get started. Day 67~ Don't Change what You cannot Change~ Our scripture is found in Job 37 : 15-16, " Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash...how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who is perfect in knowledge?" This is a difficult one to fully understand for many. We think we have to change everyone around us to make our lives simple. We take matters into our own hands to hurry up what God is telling us to wait. This just adds more frustration and conflict. We say we trust God but in reality, we trust ourselves more so we go ahead and try to solve it ourselves leaving us empty. Am I the only one talking to the choir?

Welcome to day 66 as we continue our devotional reading and reflection as we focus our discussion on Joyce Meyer's book, " 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life." Learning a huge lesson about humbling ourselves can actually release a lot of stress. Let's dig deeper! Day 66 ~ Have it Your Way Mentality~ Our scripture is from Mark 4:8, " And other seed [ of the same kind] fell into good (well-adapted) soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing, and yielded up to thirty times as much, and sixty times as much, and even a hundred times as much as had been sown." Life is not like Burger King, " Have it your way." Many of us fall into that trap and we put ourselves into difficult times. There are two sides to this coin, where some people would rather go along with you just to keep peace and some won't. If we don't learn to take turns ti adapt, we often find ourselves angry or people around us are always angry with us.  When we

Welcome to day 65 devotional reading and reflection as we continue through Joyce Meyer's book, " 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life." We are making our way down this mountain slowly because we have to understand these treasures that God is laying out for us to help our lives. Day 65~ Give Up Control~ Our scripture comes from Romans 8:9, " But you are not living the life of the flesh, you are living the life of the Spirit, if the [ Holy] Spirit of God [really] dwells within you [directs and controls you]. But if anyone does not possess the [Holy] Spirit of Christ, he is none of His [ he does not belong to Christ, is not truly a child of God]." Recently, I have asked God to help me see what I need to work on in order to move through to the promise land that he has for me. God will open up your eyes. I have decided I needed to be honest with God and not hold things. I have issues that will trigger my anxiety. I have become aware of them and I will address each

Welcome to day 64 with our devotional reading and reflection as we continue our discussion through Joyce Meyer's book, " 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life." This one is particularly important to discuss as we look at our responsibilities that we sometimes take on too much without taking care of ourselves first. Day 64~ Don't Try to Take Care of Everybody~ Our scripture reading comes from Galatians 6:4, " But let every person carefully scrutinize and examine and test his own conduct and his own work."  The past 10 years I have been the caretaker of my family in different ways. The responsibility at times were overbearing. It was not something I was hiding myself into but rather stepping up to the plate because I was capable to do it. Many times I have been accused of being childish because I live with my parents and not out dating people. That was not God's will for my life at that particular time. It was learning how to be dependent on God more

Day 63 Welcome to our devotional reading and reflection as we continue through Joyce Meyer's book, " 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life." Today's devotional is going to be a difficult topic but it has to be discussed because it is something we all do or fall into trap doing. Day 63~ False Sense of Responsibility~ Our scripture comes from Psalm 7:10, " My defense and shield depend on God, Who saves the upright in heart."  I grew up fast in my life and to have responsibility for myself was the biggest issue I developed. Problem is that if nobody does it, I will do it myself. It is difficult to let other people help me or allow them their own time to complete it. This has become apparent in college when I did team assignments, I literally tore it apart from scratch to make sure it was correct. We make plans on who wants to do the parts. Problem is, that it has to be like a one person wrote it and follows exactly what the assignment called for. It has to be

Day 62 is here and we have so much to learn from past devotionals and reflections that this should highlight what God truly wants for his children. Let's get ready to dig deeper........... Day 62~ Living within A Margin~ Our scripture reading comes from 1 Chronicles 23:25, " For David said, The Lord, the God of Israel has given peace and rest to his people." Many past devotionals have been hitting on this topic in so many different ways. It is important to start living within a margin in our daily lives. The definition of margin as a noun is to edge or border something like flower beds. Margin as a verb is providing with an edge or border. The definition changes in our actions. It takes discipline and self-control to learn how to be effective with our time so we won't be overwhelmed or frustrated. I'm either way too early or flying in at the last minute. Like skidding into my grave. My best friend Liz would always tell me to be some place 15 minutes ea