Faith of a Few Close Friends

 While driving in the car my children and I listen to the daily Pursue Journal bible App, the other day’s verses were from Mark 2:1-12 and it just made me think about what kind of friends are we and what kind of friends do we have?

Another thought came to mind about friends and who we surround ourselves with and that is they say “you are the average of the 5 people you surround yourself with”. I’m not sure if that is a good thing or bad thing, so I made it my focus these past few days to really ask myself whom do I want to surround myself with and whom do I want to be the average of? Well my answer was I don’t want to be average at all.

I have also been singing the song from Steve and Annie Chapman “Faith of a Few Close Friends”  

“They took that man to Jesus, he had to faith of his own but when Jesus saw the faith of a few close friends He said take of your bed and go home”

This man in the parable was paralyzed he had no hope, but he had friends and I not sure these “friends” were even friends at all according to our definition, but they had FAITH in Jesus and that is all they needed to befriend this man. They were so determined to get this man to the feet of Jesus that they first got the man to the rooftop then they bore a hole in the root and lowered this man down into the house where Jesus was. It was nothing the man did but their act of faith that Jesus saw and he says in verse  5 “When Jesus saw their faith” (emphasis mine) the faith of a few close friends doing what their heart’s told them to do changed this man’s life forever. The physical healing was an outward sign of the power of Jesus but the internal healing is was what truly changed this man’s life.

This has caused me to ask myself am I a friend that has the faith to have someone’s life changed forever or am I the one that needs to be healed? I think there are moments in our lives where we have been in both positions but my mission is to be the friend that has the faith from here on out why? Because that Faith will and can change lives. I have had my life changed by accepting the Grace so freely offered from Jesus that I would be selfish not to share that with others to make it a priority to look for the person(s)in need and take them to Jesus and sit down at His feet.  

The story behind the song I mention above is when we see a need from our close friends or a stranger we stop and we need to be Kingdom minded and take them to Jesus through prayer, stop and carry that person’s bed and place them at the feet of Jesus. At times the hurt and pain is so much that we need someone to do the actions for us and for that Jesus told this man because of Their faith your sins are forgiven take of your bed and go home. Verse 5 and 11. Take your friends to Jesus and share your faith for it is truly all we have and the only mission we are given that matters.

This week I encourage you to reevaluate the people in your life and surround yourself with individuals that are lifting you up in faith and allowing you to lift them up as well, for this world will soon fade and the things that matter are so much greater than today will ever have. Increase your sense of Wonder of How Great Our God Really is and with that surrender your faith and your friends to Him. 

Blessings,

Joy For Fitness – Glorifying God in Faith, Family, Fitness & Food.

A Well-Watered Garden

I know I post a lot and blog about fitness and food but to me. It’s my way and my calling to reach others where the world has hurt them and told them they are not worthy or maybe you have said that to yourself a time or two. I’m here to say it's so much more than an exercise program or the right food to eat. You are more than a number on a scale, the person in the picture or the one on the couch at night that doesn't know who to turn to for help, for support and for honest encouragement.  

I know that girl I’ve met her several times in my own head and heart why? Because we live in a sad society where we are told we cannot be happy or filled with something as simple and yet so amazing as God’s love and protection. 

The Lord will guide you always;
   he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
    and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
    like a spring whose waters never fail.  Isaiah 58:11

 

To feel your best to live the life you were made to live you've got to stop filling yourself up with empty promises the world offers of happiness of fulfillment, the pleasure of food, a certain lifestyle or body type.

 

You can do the right things, say the right words be the “perfect picture” on the outside. But until you sit near that stream everyday and drink the water until your roots are soaked in His grace, in His love and His mercy you will not be complete. You will be searching for the next thing to “fill” you up to complete your desires at this moment.

Picture a flower  or a small tree when the roots are emerged in water the stem is transporting that water to every part of that plant to help it live, to stand tall and strengthen its frame so it can reach high into the direction of the sunlight.

 

 I pray for you today that you allow the living water the ever flowing Spring of Jesus Christ to fill you to transport the love in you that you may be strengthened and stand tall so that you too can reach high in the direction of the Sun’s light. He is there and wants you come and sit allow your life to be filled with the only thing that can and will complete you, His love, grace and forgiveness.   

Joy for fitness – Glorifying God through Faith, Family, Fitness and Food.

P.S if you have no idea where to start or where to sit and be filled but it sounds like something you want and need please comment here or find me on Facebook JoyforFitness.  I want to talk to you to show you how to sit and be filled with the Spring that never runs dry.

Taking Action!

If I had a penny for every time I heard “I wish” or “It’s not fair”, “if finances where different”,  you don’t know my background”  I think there are more sayings but those are my top 3 for now  I know I’d be rolling in the dough. Why? Because making excuses is what we do best.  We are constantly passing the blame onto our situations or our circumstances. But as I look at the above excuses and so many more it’s hard not to think that those are just words that need to be turned into actions. And I ask the questions, do you want something different? Do you want change in your life?  are you happy and comfortable in your daily excuses?  

From personal experience I’m usually the one that wakes up with the next idea in her head but I’m also the girl that spends a lot of my day in conversations with myself about why it is not going to work or It’s a great idea but…Why?  I don’t want it bad enough? No! Maybe it cost too much money? No, that’s not it, perhaps it seems out of my field and I have to learn more about it? No, the issue is it takes some work, some creativity and some time. Too often we want things to just happen and that isn’t reality anything worth having usually takes time, a marriage, a job, a home, your children. The time you put into something is directly related to the outcome you receive, both positive and negative. 

How do you spend your time? Is the focus on the things you most want to achieve and nurture or are you sitting on the corner “dreaming” of the next move the next big idea, but afraid to step up and take that first step to walk out of your comfort zone and look head on into your goals and your future.  Stepping up is nothing new in the research no big scientific data out there telling us how to accomplish things, it come down to 3 simple steps: 

1.       ASK – Pray and ask God to lead you to the place He has planned for you. Then ask yourself are you willing to go to the place or situation God has planned for you in a month, a year and in 5 years?

2.       ACTIONS - What steps are you going to take to get there (pay your bills on time? Complete that class you keep dropping out of? Stop the yo-yo diets and get a plan that works, stop the blame game and take responsibility for your own actions (you’re not 5 anymore) write your prayers & thoughts out, write out the bible verses that will hold you up when you’re ready to fall or the ones that assure you that you are on that path He has chosen, then write out your steps and your actions to reach that place. 

3.       ACTIVITY - Start moving in that direction – yes, you have to actually move from where you are and I know this is the hardest part, the physical action to take your steps out of your head and move your feet to get it done.

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives u

s power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

It doesn’t happen overnight but if you continue to actively take those steps you will look back over time to see how far you’ve come and the goals you have placed before you are coming into your reach and your life is changing you will have no need for those excuses because you have stepped outside of yourself and allowed God to direct, guide and be your comforter through the entire process.  

Start taking action for your future,

Joyforfitness   “Glorifying God in Faith, Health and Fitness”

Hearing God's Voice Amongst The Noise

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve gotten time to sit and blog, why? Because too often I let the “Noise of life” overtake me. Last night God called out loud and clear to me as He often does when I’m distracted and focused on the external issues in my life, I’m glad I listened. 

This morning as I read my devotional book “Made to Crave”.  I knew He already went before me and had prepared this verse, not last night, but when he formed me long ago, he knew that this morning I would read this verse and my spirit would be lifted to Him. 

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself against the knowledge of God, we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 

Are you often quick to argue for the sake of arguing? Are you baffled at the things others say?  I used to be a spitfire with an Irish temper to boot! I would argue for fun but now I feel I often get tongue tied these days, why? I don’t know but maybe because I’m afraid that I’m not strong enough or know enough to stand up for my thoughts and actions anymore or I’ve lost credibility along the way. This is the devil putting that noise in my head, because He doesn’t want me to follow the calling God has placed on my heart or the success and freedom that God has planned for me and my family.”I am fearfully and wonderfully made” and I need to say that every time I think I’m not worth my own thoughts but in that I must also remember 2 Cor. 10:5 and ask myself:

• -          Are my thoughts obedient to God?

• -          Am I doing this for His glory or my own?

• -          Where do I place my value, on the external or internal? 

God has a plan for each of us, so today I urge you to let the ‘Noise of life” go and be prepared to listen to the voice of God. He is waiting patiently for you to turn to Him and say here I am Lord.

Be yourself and trust that He doesn’t make mistakes

Joy

Joyforfitness  “Glorifying God in Faith, Health and Fitness”