Are you feeling burnt out?

Before I became a christian, I was what you would consider a "perfectionist". 

I felt like I had to achieve excellence in every single thing that I did. I would work harder than needed, wake up earlier than needed, serve in more ministries than needed and ultimately it led to complete total burn out.

People who live like this are destined to crash and burn.

When we actually live by the word of God, then we should feel the complete opposite of burn out because His "yoke is easy and burden is light" - Matthew 11:28

Are you resting in God’s strength? Or are you taking on more responsibilities than you’re meant to carry and are burning out because of it?

 

Symptoms of burn out:

• chronic fatigue

• feeling angry at those making demands

• loss of joy in serving Christ

• increased irritability

• depression

• can't focus as well or finish things

• feeling like you're always giving but not receiving

• other people having concerns about you

 

They're so many reasons why people burn out. It could be because of wrong priorities, wrong motives or wrong ways of serving God. 

For instance, I was burnt out because I had the wrong motives. I wanted to work work work and took on more tasks that I could have handled. I would be on 4 hours of sleep and the next day working at 5 am. I would take on too many responsibilities at church because I wanted to please my leaders and do everything required of me. I did this for a whole year to the point where I was barely sleeping, not taking care of myself and losing my fire for God. I was just unmotivated and always irritable.

I know so many people can relate to this or have been in this place before and that's why I want to be so real about this topic because It really is so dangerous to ourselves and will affect our relationship with God and everyone close to us.

Yes, work is important and in fact- it was established since the beginning. We see this in Genesis 2:15 "The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it".
Work has always been apart of Gods plan for humanity. However, He never said to work so hard where you completely burn out.
He actually rested Himself on the seventh day of creation.

Here are tools to avoid burn out:

• We must be yield our lives to God in everything that we do. We can't do it on our own strength or take all the load on our own. The word "yoke" in Matt. 11:28 refers to a wooden bar or frame that joins two animals such as ovens, so that the animals can share the work load. So in other words, Jesus wants us to share our work load with Him and do it with Him by our side.

• Accept help from others because God has called us to community.

• Get adequate rest! There are seasons of labor and seasons of rest. God is more interested in our hearts and our relationship with Him vs all the work we do.

• Separate your tasks by what's necessary and voluntary. For example, if you're a mother- you know you have to protect, nurture and feed your child. That is just automatically required. However, if your friends calls you to grab a bite with her and you know you have to teach a bible study that day and need time to focus and study, then that is not a necessity for you to go. It's only going to affect the responsibilities you already have for that day.

• Learn to say no unless God is telling you to say "yes". Every time you say yes to someone else, you're saying no to yourself. Be okay with saying no sometimes if you know it is not what you should be doing.

• Take time for self care by getting proper exercise, sleep or even engaging in hobbies or taking time to be with friends.

All in all, we must always be in tune with what God wants us to do. We can't do it on our own strength or we will empty.
We should consult Him about our time and schedules and also learn to take care of ourselves.
When we find ourselves overwhelmed, just cling onto Him because He promises relief, comfort and rest for our souls.

Prayer for today:

Heavenly Father,

Thank you that you give strength to the weary and increase the power of the weak. Thank you for your yoke that is easy and burden that is light. Your word says that if I acknowledge you in all of my ways , you will make my paths straight. Thank you for your clarity and direction in this season I am in. I pray that you always keep my heart and steps aligned with your will. I don't want to be led by self ambition or self desires. Help me to always be in tuned with what You want me to do.

In Jesus Name,

Amen!

Have you ever felt like God doesn't hear your prayers?

Are you frustrated with God? Maybe you feel like He is taking too long to answer your prayer. Maybe you haven't gotten the healing you needed. Maybe you're still waiting for Him to change your spouse's heart. Maybe you're still waiting for a job opportunity to arrive.

I am not sure what your current situation is, but I want to remind you and affirm you that God is good and He knows what is best for you. We only see what's right in front of us, but He sees the bigger picture. No matter what, we have to understand all of Gods promises are "Yes" and "amen". He makes it clear in His word that whatever we ask for in His name, He will give. (John 14:13). We know that as children of God, we have the confidence to trust that He hears the desires of our heart and grants us whatever we want according to His will.

Moreover, that means what we ask for has to be according to His will. If it's not - then we will not receive it. If you're wondering how to know if it's His will, ask yourself this- Is His will for you to suffer? No. He loves you and has wonderful plans for you. (Jeremiah 29:11) Also, He will never contradict His word because Jesus is the Word made flesh. (John 1:14). God discerns the heart behind our motives; don’t expect Him to grant you something that your motives are against who He is.

Moreover, now that we're clarified on How to pray - maybe you feel you have been praying that way for so long and still haven't seen your prayer come to past. I want you to remind you that God answers every prayer in His own way and His own timing. For instance, the Bible says that Elizabeth and Zachariah were very old and she wasn't able to conceive. (Luke 1). Can you imagine how difficult that must have been for their marriage? I can only imagine the grief she must have carried with her daily. Like most of us, she probably tried to find happiness in her relationship with God, but still had disappointment and frustration deep inside her.

However, one day an angel approached Zachariah and told him his wife would give birth to a son named John who would prepare the way for the Messiah. God worked an IMPOSSIBLE situation to bring about the fulfillment of all the prophecies regarding the Messiah. He needed the waiting season to prepare Elizabeth to raise and guide her son who would eventually launch our Savior into ministry.

Moreover, John Is the fruit of a woman who never stopped praying and patiently waiting for Gods perfect timing. You see, God is full of surprises. Sometimes we expect Him to answer our prayer right away and it feels like it's taking forever. Other times, we expect to wait a long time then He works a miracle right away. All in all, God's delays are not Him saying no. It just means "not right now". God loves to intervene in situations that we can't handle on our own nor overcome on our own because what seems impossible for us is totally possible for God. (Luke 1:37)

So if you're waiting for a specific prayer to be answered, trust that God hears your prayer and He has a responsibility to fulfill His promise to you. (Ezekiel 12:28). Every waiting season is not a wasted season. Our waiting – for a miracle, a healing, a promise – is the place where we see God perform His best. Our waiting is our preparation. In Ephesians 2:10- Apostle Paul says "we’re created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." We are created both in our mothers womb and in thewaiting. There are things to be learned and growth to take place during this waiting season. When God intervenes, His surprises will always be for His glory and for your good.

I hope this encourages you to be patient and have faith during your waiting season. He sees your heart and knows what you are waiting for. He births miracles from the barren. He will do it for you, in His perfect timing.

 

Prayer for today:

 

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for all that you've done for me and everything you are going to continue doing. Thank you that you will answer all of my prayers in your perfect timing. Thank you for never forsaking me or leaving me. You know all the desires of my heart and you hear all my cries. You know every thought before I even think them. You know exactly what is happening in my life and what will happen next. You are sovereign and everything is in your control. Forgive me if I have been doubtful or frustrated in this season of waiting. Forgive me for being impatient. Help me to always rejoice in hope, be patient in trouble and be persistent in prayer. Help me to see the good in every season. I choose to trust you even when I can't see the bigger picture. I choose to walk by faith and not by feelings. Take me into a deeper understanding of what you are doing in my life. I thank You that You have all the wisdom and will answer my prayers in your perfect way.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Are you building a foundation on rock or sand?

Luke 6:47-49 “As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like.  They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.  But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”
 

Lets start off by here: A mechanic is required to perform repairs and maintenance which often means dismantling and rebuilding. A wise mechanic has to have the right parts and pieces in order to repair a functioning vehicle. Now if he fails to do this the right way, the vehicle can become even worse than its original condition. 

I remember two years ago when I had just got my car and I had installed a device into it. I had a smart car so it operated entirely on a computer. I went to a mechanic, but ultimately he didn’t have the proper equipment or expertise to fix my type of car. So in conclusion, I couldn’t even drive my car of how bad the damage was. So what I want you to get from this is, you CAN’T build without the right foundation.

You cant build a strong house on a defective foundation either right? This is true for everything in our life. We can’t become who God has called to be without the right foundation in our lives. Many people build upon on money, material possessions, emotions, or even based on the opinions of man. But God has called us to build upon His word because it is never changing and the very constitution of the church. Anything else is sand and is easily shifting. 

The parable above describes someone who hears Gods’ word and builds a foundation upon rock. When a torrent which represents a trial in our life comes their way, their house remains secure and stable. 
 

5 easy steps to building the right foundation:

1. Know the word of God- Have the word of God embedded in your heart, so when situations come your way- you overcome them by speaking the word of God throughout the day. “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” - Joshua 1:8

2. Have a strong prayer life.  Prayer shouldn’t be a one time thing when you need something from God. Be intentional about making prayer a daily part of your lifestyle. ”And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” - Ephesians 6:18

3. Surround yourself with a solid christian community- God did not create    us to be alone, but to fellowship with one another. For this matter, we can encourage and edify each other or also rebuke one another when needed. The church all form one body but each of us represent a member of it. We must be united and be there for one another. “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” - Hebrews 10:24-25

4. Have a clear mindset- Your mindset can really impact the course of your life. Be intentional about what thought patterns you have throughout the week. When you focus on God and not on your current situations, you reap peace and life. “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”- Philippians 4:8 

5. Get planted and serve- God has called us to become good stewards of the gifts and talents He has placed within us. The church isn’t about a building but about the people in it. We each play an important role in building up and edifying the church. 

Ask yourself: Is your house strong enough to withstand any storm that comes against? 

Prayer for today: Father in the name of Jesus, Thank you for giving me your word that serves as a guide and light to my path. Thank you for your word that heals, delivers and restores me. I repent for all the times I’ve doubted and mistrusted your word. I ask that you would give me a deeper desire for it and that I would become rooted and grounded in it. Help me to build everything in my life on your word so that it would be secure and stable. May your word sink in my heart and fall fabric to every area of my life. In Jesus name, Amen.

How to spend time with God?

So you give your life to Christ and have no idea how to build a relationship with him.. I hear this all the time. I believe it's something that every new believer struggles with.. "where do I start?"

Before we go into spending time with God, lets start with knowing the foundation of our relationship with Him. The definition of marriage applies to the body of believers known as the church. The church are considered those who genuinely have recognized Christ as their personal Lord and Savior and have received eternal life. Christ is the bridegroom who has chosen the church to be His bride so that "he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish."(Ephesians 5:25-27) 

Lets further break down how a marriage represents the Kingdom of God. God has called you to be His wife meaning He is jealous for you and loves you like a husband cherishes his wife. “For your royal husband delights in your beauty; honor Him, for He is your Lord.” (Psalm 45:11). 

In every marriage, if there is no communication- there is no relationship. Imagine if you were the one doing all the talking in your relationship or marriage, and your significant other made no attempt to invest in you. It would feel like a one sided relationship. As a matter of fact, that's how most of our relationships are with our Heavenly Father. We are always praying to him and petitioning for our needs, but are we giving Him the chance to minister to our heart? If you are reading this and it is speaking to you, I encourage you today to get in your quiet time with God and let Him speak to you- He desires to pour into all His children. 

How to spend time with God?

1. Set a time that works for you and stay committed to it. I am a personal trainer so the way I see it is if I make appointments for my clients everyday, then I have to set an appointment for God also. I have my daily appointment with Him every morning and I never cancel on Him. Choose a time you know you can commit to and don't let anyone or anything come in between it. 
2. Choose a distraction free environment. Even Jesus would go to the mountains, apart from everyone, to spend time with His Father. Find a quiet place where you know you could really get in His presence without any distraction or noise. Sometimes I go to a park and just walk with God and talk with Him. There are days when I have date nights with God and I dedicate a whole night to just spending quality time with Him. Get creative! 
3. Set the atmosphere for His presence to flow. Before you come to God with your petitions, put on some worship music and adore Him. I always begin by inviting His Holy Spirit to enter the room. The Holy Spirit is a gentleman and sometimes He will just show up or sometimes He waits for us to invite Him. Open up your heart to Him and just tell Him how much you love Him. Tell him the things you love and adore about Him. Approach His Throne with a thanksgiving heart. After you worship Him, begin to tell Him the things you are thankful for. Then, pour your heart to Him. Pray in tongues, pray for yourself and pray for others. 
4. Stay quiet and wait patiently for him to speak.  Every time I hear him speak to me, I like always to write it down in my journal. Sometimes I'll use my journal to pour my heart to Him, but every time I hear him speak or give me directions- I always like to write it down to remember it. It's crazy when I look back at my older journal entries and am able to see all the things God has told me that has come to past. 
5. Study His word. If you are new in your walk with God- I always suggest starting with the first four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) so you really get to know and understand the person of Jesus Christ and everything he did when he was on Earth. I like to use writing utensils to highlights verses or words that speak to me. Don't be afraid to really dissect the Bible and write all over it. I like to write my own cross references if I'm reading a verse and I remember seeing the same word in another passage. I also like to write any other relevant notes that help me mediate on the word more. If you are confused about a certain context, use commentaries or other translations to help you better understand the meaning of the text. 

Spending time with God is amazing and you always grow closer to Him every time. There are days where He just wants to hear you speak or there are days when He just wants to pour into you. Make time for your Father- You can start off with 15 minutes a Day. Before you know it you’ll be spending an hour with Him, maybe even more. He will teach you how to worship Him and how to read His Word.

Prayer for today: 
Father in Jesus name, I come to your throne of Grace with a thanksgiving heart for all that you are. Thank you for all that you have done and all that you continue to do.  I ask that you would open up my heart and my spirit this morning to be one with your Holy Spirit. Make me sensitive to your presence. Fill me with revelation and wisdom as I read your word. Take me into a deeper understand of who you are. I declare your scriptures would come alive within me and minister to my heart. Speak to me today. Let your word change me and transform me from the inside out so that I could be more like you.
In Jesus name, Amen. 

God loves me.. no matter what?

"God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  - Romans 5:8

Sometimes we question if God can still love us after we mess up over and over again. "Can God still love me after what I did?" "Even after I grieved him?" Today I want to remind you that no matter where you find yourself in life right now, no matter what place you're in- God still loves you and His love is unfailing. 

I remember before I had fully surrendered to Christ, I was so ashamed of my past. There was one night in particular where I had really messed up and it was truly a life changing experience. I had gotten myself into a lot of trouble and I knew it was going to deeply upset and disappoint all those close to me. 

However, my mother was a strong woman of faith for years. While I expected her to punish me terribly and yell at me, instead she showed me so much mercy and grace that night and ministered the love of Jesus to me. I remember coming to her crying and asking her how she could still love me after I continuously messed up and disappointed her. I will never forget her words that day. "You are still my daughter and I will always love you. Just like God will always love you and forgive you when you turn to him." Her words freed me. That night I encountered the love of God and it healed me and delivered me. I knew at that moment, that no matter what I had done in the past- no sin could separate me from the love of God.

I believe this relates to so many of us. Sometimes we make such terrible decisions and question how God can still love us. I feel there are some women reading this right now that are in an imprisonment of shame and guilt. You feel far from God because of certain decisions you made that you knew were not right. Some of you have even felt like you keep repenting and making the same mistake over and over again- it has become a vicious cycle. You may even be wondering if God is tired of hearing your prayers. However, I want to remind you that Gods love for you will never change and He will never leave you. You are still His daughter and you are still a Jewel in His eyes. "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.- Lamentations 3:22-23 " 

His compassion for you extends past your struggles and weaknesses. He loves you so much and wants to encounter intimacy with you. When you are in doubt about His love for you, remember you are His daughter before you are anything to anyone else. Do not allow the enemy to tell you who you are or allow your sin to make you feel far from God. Instead of running from Him run towards Him; feeling confident in who you are and whose you ARE. Become so rooted in His Love that you become so obsessed with being close to Him. 

If you have never truly accepted Jesus in your heart, I encourage you to open up your heart to him. If you have, but you feel your sin has caused a distance between you and Him- then I urge you to get back to that place of intimacy with Him. 

Prayer for today: Father in the name of Jesus, Thank you for your love and compassion that never fails me. Thank you for dying on the cross for me.  I repent of all my sins and ask for your forgiveness. I acknowledge you as my Lord and my Savior. I recognize I can't do anything on my own strength.  I need you. I need your grace and your compassion. I surrender to you today with all of my heart. I break every pact that I've made with this world, with my sin and with the enemy. I ask that you would come into my heart and set me free from everything that has separated me from you. I desire intimacy with you. Show me your heart and your love for me. In Jesus name. Amen.