Faith Can Move Mountains

  (Psalm 18: 1-2) " I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salavation, my stronghold." Learning how to let go of strongholds that aren't of God. A stronghold of the mind starts quickly with one lie at a time. We may have someone say something that makes us feel unworthy of anything. We take that thought and double it. Satan can control that lie, and it warps our thinking that we count as truth, but it is a false belief. Some strongholds are habitual patterns of thoughts we build into our lives. Strongholds are rooted in pride, and they rely on the self. A teacher told me I would never become anything and was mentally retarded. Those words haunted me throughout my life. Another teacher gave me words that turned that lie around with the truth that I would change the world one day. I am a successful preschool teacher with a master's degree. I work wit...

  (1 Corinthians 6:12) " You say," I am allowed to do anything" - but not everything is good for you. and even though " I am allowed to do anything, " I must not become a slave to anything."  Weight is a complicated subject for anyone to discuss. Our body image is often altered just by one thought. We can be very critical of everything in our lives that we forget our health. Between the years of 2009 through 2010, I gained a lot of weight. I was in a rough emotional place in my life. My mom was battling cancer while I was trying to figure out what I was supposed to be doing with my life. I wasn't paying attention to what or how much I was eating. It got to the point I couldn't walk without any pain. I realized that I would need to step up to take care of the house and my parents. At that moment, I realized it was also to help me. I started to lose that weight by walking and building flowerbeds. Food can be my addictive behavior and even my emotiona...

            I felt that God was showing me the word freedom for 2023. I started to think about the word freedom. The definition of freedom is the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. What does freedom mean to you? Freedom is one of my favorite words representing different meanings in my life. I remember in my early 20s, I was significantly overweight and hated my life. I just graduated from high school with no particular thought of who I was. By this time, I weighed over 350 pounds and started my first job as a substitute teacher at a preschool. I got so depressed with myself that I decided to make a huge decision and called LA Weight Loss. It was a decision to face myself and learn how to love myself. I dropped 125 pounds through the program and was learning to live my life. I was out on my own and working two jobs. Freedom was learning to love me. Years after years, the meaning of freedom has changed. I have ...

  The meaning of almond tree is a symbol of hope, light, and resilience. The almond tree is an inspiring story of hope that beauty will return even out of the harshest times. In Jeremiah 1: 11-12, " The word of the LORD came to me:" What do you see, Jeremiah?" " I see the branch of an almond tree, " I replied. The LORD said to me, " You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled."   Due to unforeseen circumstances, I chose a camper to dwell in my brother's backyard. Every effort of trying to maintain a three-bedroom house independently was impossible. I could only take what I would need in the camper. I purchased a small storage unit to hold a couch and a few items. I experienced many storms and seasons naturally and personally. Through these experiences, I had to learn how to reserve energy and water usage. I had to learn how to store and pack a camper. I even learned how to empty my sewage tanks. The time allowed me ...

      I love you are the three most powerful words that shouldn't be lightly said or taken. We often use these words with our family and friends. Sometimes it is easy for some to say " I love you,"  while others struggle to speak these words. People do not truly understand what love is. The definition of love can be used either as a noun or a verb. Love, defined as a noun, is an intense feeling of deep affection. For example, I love the taste of coffee. It helps get me going in the morning or an evening cup warms my soul. Love, defined as a verb, is a deep affection for someone. Love becomes an action. According to Psalm 18:1-2, David pens his love for God in these words, " I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."     This love for God is a verb because God showed David His love through His greatness in David'...

  While I sit here with my mind running over things that have happened this week, situations I could have done or handled differently. So my mind is idling, which isn't always good because it can easily give Satan a foothold in my mind. Psalm 19:14 reads, " May the words of my mouth and meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock, and my Redeemer." I can breathe and put these thoughts into my savior's hands. I can meditate on his goodness and give him praise with my mouth. Give Him the glory that he was with me in my classroom this week. He provided help when I needed it. Understand that no matter what, Jesus is my Rock and my Redeemer. Jesus loves you and me. Think about Jesus.  

Welcome to day 95 with our devotional reading and reflection as we are finishing up our discussion through Joyce Meyer's book, " 100 ways to Simplify Your Life." We must realize that Satan is real and he has no power in the name of Jesus. Day 95~ Resist the Devil~ Our scripture reading comes from James 4:7, " So be subject to God. Resist the devil [ stand firm against him], and he will flee from you." Let's expose the true enemy behind things in our lives, Satan! Satan wants our lives to be miserable and wants chaos! This allows him to steal our joy, peace and keeps us in bondage with negative thinking that we are missing our blessings from God. It is so important to build a strong relationship with God by spending time in the word. The last few weeks I have gone through some serious changes and more is on the way. I few weeks ago I found myself in position as a lead teacher. I knew God had me there for a reason but I wanted to avoid it. But I am ...