"JOURNEY WITH SPIRIT"
     -Joyce (JOY) Be Lynda Russaw



Working through challenging times-

When you want good things to come into your life, you will freely send good into the world. The quickest way to block blessings that are in God’s plan for you_ is to spend time begrudging others who appear blessed. A golden rule to abide by is that you ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ 

 The world has established certain standards that are outside of the divine laws of the universe. The world has made sin look religious. The world has made mad behavior and bullying_ appear as godly and manly. Why is the world full of male criminals vs. female? What is in the nature of humankind that changes having enough- into wanting it all?

Universal law, law of the universe, are God’s law. The world was created by God, with commandments, laws, events, healing, and feeding the hungry. All acts by an individual are expected to reflect a willing spirit of obedience to God’s law. Being on the outside and looking into someone else’s life of trial or blessings, is not your purpose in this world.

 Your purpose is to be your best, do your best, follow the guidelines of behavior set by God. When you do, you reach a point in your life where you demonstrate your FAITH that no matter what you have, there is more than enough to go around.

When Fearful

Fear can infect us early in life until eventually it cuts a deep groove of apprehension in all our thinking.  To counteract it, let faith, hope and courage enter your thinking.  Fear is strong, but faith is stronger yet.

      -Norman Vincent Peale

When we are fearful, it's difficult to remind ourselves that there are forces in this world that are stronger than fear.  Fear tends to take control of us, to overwhelm us, to put us in a state in which we can notice only the fear.  And in those circumstances, the fear tends to build on itself like a fire, growing as it catches hold of other parts of ourselves.

If we can keep our minds open to the idea that there are forces stronger than fear, we can provide ourselves with a way out of the fear.  As I grow older, I find that I have ways to counteract fear when it appears, and most of them have to do with reminding myself of the reality of the "big picture" rather than focusing on the particular situation that's causing me fear.

Fear depends on our attention if it's to survive.  If we don't give it the attention that it needs, if we're able to focus our thoughts elsewhere and maintain our peace of mind, we're making sure that fear doesn't have the conditions that it needs in order to thrive.  If I can focus on my faith in the bad things in life, then my fear will not rise past a healthy level-- and yes, a certain level of fear can be very healthy.

Faith does not mean a particular set of beliefs in God as defined by some religious groups.  Faith is our knowledge that life and God-- whatever we perceive God to be-- are positive, loving forces that will take care of us, and have been doing so since we arrived on this planet.  Faith is the knowledge that the truths in life are stronger than the lies that many people spread in an attempt to gain whatever they need or want for themselves. 

Fear is as strong as we let it be.  Faith is the same way.  Which do you choose to be the stronger force in your life?

 

MORNING PRAYER

Father, I don’t have what it takes to face today on my own. My energy is low, my spirit is weary, and the weight of what’s ahead feels heavy. But You are the God who gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. I’m leaning into You this morning. Fill me with Your strength—not just enough to survive, but enough to walk in victory. I trust that Your power is made perfect in my weakness. Carry me today, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Hard Times are not new

Just as the early Christians lived through trying times, so too have we. These experiences will not stop.  From the beginning of time, people used distortions of facts as control, while others searched for truth. The world learned early the value of fake information to control others.- But many true believers relied on their faith.

 Generations have been confused at the persecution of the church. Why?  Instead of representing the goodness of God, it reflects greed and spiritual abuse. This is one reason the church is persecuted_ what it produces into humanity. The Christian church is not at fault. It is the people in the house of worship that accept or excuse non-Christian behavior. Most people blame it on the ministerial leadership; others blame the lifestyle of those who blaspheme and sin while holding the Bible in one hand and quoting scripture. Some blame laws, the manipulation of religion in government, as the laws do not reflect the teachings of Jesus Christ. Time to repent.

 As we move into the season of lent, repentance, and renewal_ it is our time to examine our soul.  Just because Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of God_ and we may be living as true believers while being excluded from humanity; does not mean that God has forsaken you. We must take ownership of our actions_ as well as trust God to keep his promise.

 Be persistent in Prayer, use this period to reflect. God has done so much for you, me, and the world.. But what have we done for Him!!

 Spiritual warfare

Take care of yourself. It may sound cliche, but too many young souls are leaving this earth. Leaving under unnatural circumstances. While most of us believe that you die when it is your time_ statistically, there are far too many ‘preventable deaths.’ 

We are beings that will always need protection. Not with guns, bombs, and other earthly weapons designed to kill or injure, although- the world may demand that we have armies and military power,  every weapon available to our nation, is available to other nations. How can you survive a war when everyone is fighting with the same fire power? As a citizen, you have 'no say' in the relationships our nation forms; you will however, experience the consequences.

 What we now face is a spiritual war. A fight between good and evil, and must be fought on a spiritual level. It will take a spiritual revolution to break the cycle of evil in this earth, and you hold the power. Most humans say they are christians- but not every person is in  a close relationship with the Father. The darken spirits in power, CAN NOT know the God I serve. These dark spirits do not live or reflect the principles of Jesus Christ.

 

Keep living, praying, and trusting. God is not asleep. He is watching.. and as we prepare to pay homage to the crucifixion and resurrection.. God holds our fate in His hands.

 

I believe in miracles_ and they happen everyday.