Ahh, Decisions

The next day Moses entered the Tent of the Testimony and saw that Aaron’s staff, which represented the house of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds. Numbers 17:8

I admire decisive people--people who can walk into the department store, look at the racks of shoes and immediately know which pair is for them. I, on the other hand, could spend hours thoroughly perusing every shoe, building pie charts and bar graphs writing full on analytical reports on the probability of usage, durability, cuteness and practicality while also considering weather, number of color coordinating outfits and so on. THANKFULLY I have six children and am seldom allotted such time in ANY store, thus I have perfected the art of “stick-to-list-grab-n-go” (a much more financially sound approach, too, I might add). However, left to my own destruction I would be quick to revert to my tragic natural ability to over-analyze everything.

So when I came across this passage in Scripture I was intrigued.

The Israelites were trying to determine who God’s chosen leader would be. God told Moses to put 12 staffs, one from the leader of each ancestral tribe, inside the Tent of Meeting. Numbers 17:5 says, “The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout.”  

The next day Moses went in to check the staffs for God’s direction and not only had God made His chosen leader's staff sprout but it had budded, blossomed, AND produced almonds! There was no doubt, God had made His direction for chosen leadership VERY clear.

God always has a plan. 

Am I seeking Him for HIS plan or am I so diluted by self that I’m not even asking the right questions for clarity? 

Have I fully surrendered to Him my will and my desires so that when I ask Him for His way, or to hear His voice, I’m really ready to receive it? 

Or, am I already looking sub-consciously for what I want to hear and thus am blinded to all the buds, blossoms and almonds God is trying to show me?

Dear Jesus search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24). 

Amen.

Janette Kieffer
loveSTRONG Ministries

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Catch the Breeze

Feel like you’ve been in a rowboat paddling like a crazy woman?

Or, in a battleship that you can’t get to turn around?

Or, a cruise ship surrounded by people who won’t go away?

Or, a fishing boat that is smelly and messy?

Or, a speed boat that is going full throttle?

Today it is time to take a breath and catch the breeze in your sails.  Breathe.  Deep breaths.  Close your eyes and breathe.

You are not alone.  Jesus has been with you when you were aboard the crazy rowboat or in any of those other boats. The problem is you have been trying to do it all yourself and it has worn you out. 

Try something different.  Imagine life as a sailboat where you are dependent on the breezes to move you.  Instead of puckering up and blowing into the sail trying to move the boat yourself, take a deep breath and say, “Jesus.”  When you do, open your hands as a gesture of showing Jesus you are done trying to right the ship.  

“My beloved ones, don’t ever limit your joy or fail to rejoice in the wonderful experience of knowing our Lord Jesus!” Philippians 3:1

Your experience is designed to give God praise.  Then, and only then, can you realize Jesus has been beside you in every port, ship and boat these past few weeks.

Hands open!  Breathe deeply!  Say His name – Jesus!  

You will catch that breeze.

 

Sherree Fischer
loveSTRONG Ministries

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Chatter That Doesn’t Matter

We see social media posts all the time mentioning that “life is short.”  (And it truly is.)  So, why do we waste our time with chatter that doesn’t matter?  Why don’t we say something nice instead of talking negatively?

I know so many times I should have said something nice but it got pushed down in my throat because I hovered over the negative to complain.  Chances are you have done that also.  “That’s good but it should be this way ____.”  “I like what they did but I would have done it this way _____.”

We would feel much better to slide to the positive rather than sit in the negative.

To help us both, here are the beginning of sentences we can keep in our head to stay on the positive and regain a friendship and/or heal a hurt, and correct our attitudes:

I may have never said this, but….
I was so impressed when you…
I have always admired you because…
I never said I’m sorry when…
You inspired me when you…
I would love to know more about…
Thank you so much for the time you…
I love you because…

Recognizing that negative tendency is not healthy, both of us can let Jesus be the guide in showing grace and love.  Starting today.

Lord, you’re so kind and tenderhearted to those who don’t deserve it and so patient with people who fail you! Your love is like a flooding river overflowing its banks with kindness.  Psalm 103:8 TPT

 

Sherree Fischer
loveSTRONG Ministries

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Full Access

My husband and I attended a concert and as we sat in our seats in the large venue, we noticed a line of people standing near the front of the stage.  These were the people who paid extra money to get a backstage pass to meet the entertainer.  A lot of extra money.

I wondered what it was like to meet her and have a possible 5 second conversation with her.  I would remember it but would she remember me?  How meaningful an experience could that be and would it be worth the cost?

The thoughts of having that backstage pass made me think of what it may be like when we leave this life to meet our Creator.  Will there be a band playing?  Will there be a spread of snacks and drinks?  Will someone welcome us with a sign with our name on it?

Of course, we don’t know the answers to any of those questions.  We can’t know beforehand because no one on earth has had the experience and returned to tell us.

What I want you to know is Jesus waits to welcome you to your new eternal home when you leave here.  He loves you and has never once wanted you to be anyplace else except in heaven.  You can make choices to be a woman who is walking in the light of Jesus.  If a wrong decision is made, forgiveness is freely given and you can step up to a new level of life.

He always remembers you.  Your life can be a meaningful experience with a decision to get full access.

It is not temporary.  It is permanent.  God’s love is never-ending.  Not even for a little while.

Then, to top it off, the entire cost has already been paid for you.

For this is how much God loved the world – he gave his one and only, unique Son as a gift.  So now everyone who believes in him will never perish but experience everlasting life.  John 3:16

Sherree Fischer
loveSTRONG Ministries

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Glitches

Faithfulness shines at its brightest in the middle of troubles.

 

 

 

God already knows what’s going on.

He knows you are hurting and afraid.

 

 

Thank Him.

As hard as it is to do, thank Him for the problem.

Then sit quietly.

And wait.

 

 

Some of us have been waiting for days.

Some of us have been waiting for years.

 

 

Thank Him and give the troubles to Him.

And wait because the wait gives hope.

 

 

You’ll be stronger.

You’ll be more confident.

You’ll be quieter.

 

 

Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for he always tenderly cares for you.  1 Peter 5:7

 

Sherree Fischer
loveSTRONG Ministries

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I Praise

I praise you in the sunshine.

I praise you under the clouds.

I praise you when I’m running fast.

I praise you when things slow down.

I praise you in the middle of the messes.

I praise you when things are going smoothly.

I praise you when the decision is easy.

I praise you when the decision has wrecked me.

I praise you while I laugh.

I praise you when I cry.

I praise you at the beginning, in the middle and at the end.

I praise you for when you give.

I praise you when you take away.

I praise you for changes that upset my world.

I praise you for consistency.

I praise you because you always love me.

I praise you because you see me.

I praise you because you won’t turn your back on me or give up on me.

I praise you as best as I can as often as I remember.

I should not forget to praise.

I will proclaim the name of the Lord.
Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
Deuteronomy 32:3

Sherree Fischer
loveSTRONG Ministries

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Game. Set. Match.

Game.  Set.  Match.

Stupid.

Why was I so stupid?

I was not laser focused.

My mind was not laser focused on the right thing.

I didn’t think of Jesus first.  I did not react with love.

That punk, satan, tempted and I reacted.

Stupid beyond stupid.

What happens now?

Crawl into a hole and cry?

(Cry, yes.)

(Crawl into a hole, no.)

Ask for forgiveness and bow my head?

Yes.  I get back the laser focus.  I ask for forgiveness.  I ask for help.  I crawl to God.

God knew what I was about to do and without knowing why, He prompted my friend to be praying for me.

I had no idea that my safety net was already in place.

The safety net was ready for my fall.  God wants me to be a better person.

He wants me to throw my arms in the air and cry out to hear Him say He still loves me.

Stupid decisions and all.

He loves me.

No excuses.  I take responsibility and know the warning signs so I can be prepared next time.

One day it won’t be so difficult.

Until then, I trust in His word.  I trust in His love.  I trust in His promise.  I trust.

The desire of my heart is to be like Jesus.

As a human, I can strive to be better.

As a woman, I can recognize the strength He gives me.

As a child of God, I can know the Father loves me even when I’m stupid.

This life is not for the faint of heart.  I will not buckle my knees except to pray.

My focus will be clearer and I will immerse myself in the Bible.

I remember,

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)

So, I will pray for that desire over and over.  And then again and again.

It will be God’s game, set, match.

Not satan’s.

Sherree Fischer
loveSTRONG Ministries

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Slam The Brakes

You do it.  I do it. We notice what other people have. Or what they accomplish.  Or how they live.  And we don’t think we have enough.

Slam the brakes!

To stop comparing would give us more time to be happier.  If we stop wishing for the next cool thing, we may just appreciate what we have right now.

I remember in our first year of marriage there were times when we had $2.00 to last from Wednesday to payday on Friday.  And you know what?  We were just as happy then as we are now.  When I get caught up in the mindset of comparing and wanting more, with a quick jolt I remind myself things are things but a peaceful life centered on Jesus is what I should crave more.

And when I experience time with a homeless person that quick jolt becomes a kick realizing I have a home to sleep in at night.

For who do you know that really knows you, knows your heart? And even if they did, is there anything they would discover in you that you could take credit for? Isn’t everything you have and everything you are sheer gifts from God? So what’s the point of all this comparing and competing? You already have all you need. You already have more access to God than you can handle.”  I Corinthians 4:7-8 MSG

Enjoy life...just the way it is.  Stomp on the brakes.  Stop with the comparing.  Settle in. Thank Jesus for what you have.

Your gratefulness will spill into someone else’s life, you will be happier and it will show.

Sherree Fischer
loveSTRONG Ministries

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