From Anger to Righteousness

Anger is one of those areas that the Lord instantly healed when I surrendered my life to Him. He truly replaced anger for unspeakable joy. 

I recognize that the joy of the Lord is my strength. That’s not to say that there are times where I allow His joy to be rocked by anger and frustration. I’m a long ways away from saying I don’t struggle with anger. But it doesn’t overtake me like it used to. 

If you struggle with anger, I’d love to pray for you. I’ve been there (many times) where I can’t kick off the anger, and I replay specific conversations or scenarios over and over, and the anger just festers and eats away at me. If that anger isn’t dealt with, you’re in danger of it becoming bitterneness, and bitterness is a death to the soul. 

So, let’s deal with it today so that the righteousness God desires can be produced in our lives. . 

Closing 2018

If I could only choose one name to describe God this year, it would have to be Redeemer. He has redeemed my life in so many ways. He has been liberator, deliverer, rescuer, and preserver. This year He opened my eyes to see that despite spiritual ups and downs, He has preserved my calling and my dream. What once seemed hopeless and forgotten, was redeemed in a new and unexpected way. 

It will be five years in May 2019, that I endured an almost crippling spiritual divorce (there is no other way to describe it than by calling it as such). Depression and bitterness settled in my heart, BUT God plowed through every so gently and with great patience. I suffered spiritually in seasons of dessert living while my Bible remained closed, BUT God continued to satisfy my hunger and thirst through the faithful teaching of the Word and worship at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale. It was and will always be my oasis, my place of refuge and relief. 

My image of the church had been shattered, BUT God painted a beautiful picture of what the church truly is through the Bible study group He has called Josie and I to lead. We were broken women who needed to study the Word together with other broken women, and God has used each life as a paintbrush to paint community, love, and truth in our hearts. 

And just when I was satisfied with how He had redeemed what was broken, He redeemed what was forgotten. In November of 2017, I filled a card to serve at Christ Fellowship. Though I was extremely apprehensive about doing so, I did it out of obedience. Five months later I received a call. And in that conversation, what had been tucked and sealed away in the hidden chambers of my heart was brought to surface. And the verse the Lord gave me in January 2018 made complete sense to me in that moment: “But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you...” 1 John 2:27. The anointing still abides in me! I set no expectations other than to wait on Him and walk in full obedience. 

Oh, sweet Jesus, you truly redeem what is broken, hopeless, and forgotten. 

My encouragement to You: 

He can do the same for you. 

Hope, believe, and persevere in hardships. 

Don’t give in and don’t give up! 

Walk in obedience and He will make all things new. 

The Ugly Twins: Fear & Failure

Christmas is almost here and I am so excited. Gift giving/recieving is my numero uno love language. I love shopping and selecting gifts for those I love. You are not the exception! I have a Christmas gift for you too. Today's post was written by my lovely friend Stephanie for you. She's no stranger to Living As A Lily, here is the link to her Thanksgiving post from 2012 that'll give you a little history: click HERE. Go make yourself a cup of hot chocolate, with lots of marshmallows, and unwrap what Stephanie and Jesus have prepared for you!

The Ugly Twins: Fear & Failure, by Stephanie Landa

I am so honored Raquel invited me to write on her blog! When she first asked, I quickly responded, “YES!” Not having any idea what to write about, I took a leap of faith and trusted God would reveal exactly what He wanted me to share on this blog. After a couple of days, I knew exactly what to write about, and so here it goes…

“You can make many plans, but the LORD's purpose will prevail.” –Proverbs 19:21

Summer of 2013 was when I first found out I was going to start my career as a 1st grade teacher. I was filled with excitement but so much more with FEAR. Fear of the unknown! And so, I began my career where I almost immediately fell in love with those 1st graders. Not only were they amazing, but so was the administration and my coworkers. After a very short time (1 month and a half), I quit! Yup, I quit! (If you know me, you know I’m not a quitter)

I could only imagine what you are thinking. “This girl is crazy! What in the world happened?”

Well, within that short amount of time of teaching, I struggled so much with fear and anxiety. Endless nights of not sleeping because my mind would not shut up. I felt like I needed everything to be perfect and so rather than allowing myself to plan, do the best that I can, and “let it go” (yes, I totally quoted Frozen), I drove myself insane. (I seemed to have forecasted the rest of my life based off of one moment) I lost a great amount of weight, I disconnected myself from almost everyone, my faith in God was lost, etc. which led me all to a deep depression. My family, fiancé, and friends were all extremely concerned about me.

I remember the day that I quit. I felt like a complete failure. I felt like I lost my identity. Even now as I write this, my eyes fill up with tears because the way I felt that day and even months after, was THE hardest time of my life. Now please don’t judge me. I understand God has blessed me with SO MUCH, but at that time, I did NOT have the right perspective and was completely lost. I felt like my identity was in my career (I now know my identity is found in Christ and Christ alone; He defines me) and once I lost that, I felt a great amount of anguish.

Almost my entire life, I thought I was created to be a teacher. I had all these plans set for my life. You would think that I had already learned my lesson about FULLY trusting God and letting Him do as He pleases (you can read more about thise HERE).

Almost 6 months later, I figured it all out. I had all these plans, but God had His ultimate plan and I could not be happier. His purpose did prevail (as it always does) and I found my niche in life and that is to be a Middle School teacher. (I know, I’m crazy, but there is something so special about the middle school students) I won’t bore you with the details as to how I got to this point in my life, but its crazy how all along God had been molding me.

God is able to do “exceedingly, abundantly above and beyond all that we could ask or think.” I believe this and because I do I will trust Him, take Him at His word, keep on moving forward. I will fight fear by declaring the promises found in God's word over my life. I have learned a lot and I've shared all of this to strengthen you. I encourage you to make plans in your heart, and get moving, but give God room to direct your steps. Make plans, but keep them fluid. Don’t make them concrete! Allow God to flexibility with those plans, to move them around if needed, to line up those desires to His Word and will. A lot of us sit around waiting for direction from God, but He is waiting for you to draw near to Him. Do step out in faith! Filled with the Holy Spirit you can take gutsy risks on the desires of your heart. Get those feet moving as He leads you.

God is the keeper of your heart and will protect it. He will inspire, encourage, nurture, and breathe new life when needed. Dream big! Make plans! Get moving! He's got you!

    * Stephanie has also contributed: Let's Talk About Sex, Baby!

the hope of the afflicted

The goodness of The Lord reflected in this single verse. May this fill you with hope as you endure your affliction. May the truth that God has not forgotten you, restore and renew a right spirit within you. 

I challenge you to do a word search on Hope. You will uncover much light in the midst of your darkness. 

Lyrical Friday - Bring the Rain

Hello Friends.

It has been said that we can be found in one of three places: 1) in a storm 2) walking out of one or 3) walking into one. Certain trials can absorb our life and consume our very being, much like a category 5 hurricane. While other trials seem like a simple breeze, a casual rain, shaking us for a moment. We are reminded in Matthew 5:45 that the rain falls on the just and the unjust alike.

For every storm, God has given us a promise:
But now, listen to the Lord who created you. The one who formed you says,"Do not be afraid,
For I have ransomed you.      
I have called you by name; 
You are mine. 
When you go through deep waters,      
I will be with you.   
When you go through rivers of difficulty,      
You will not drown.   
When you walk through the fire of oppression,      
You will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
Isaiah 43:1-3

As a dear friend and sister who has gone through all kinds of trials, I beg you to seek holiness in every storm. Seek holiness? Yes, seek all things holy: God, His Word, prayer, praise, serving others... It makes the passing through the storm a lot easier, even joyful. You'll see the spiritual growth in your life as you walk out of the storm. And it is the armor you wear walking into the storm.

Today's Lyrical Post is one of those songs that helps you get through the storm. That's one aspect of seeking holiness in a storm: through song! May these lyrics cause you to worship God. I am confident that as you worship God (with the little that you have), He will increase your faith and fill you with His peace. Praying for showers of love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, kindness, joy, peace and rest. Do not fear. You are His. He is with you . You will not drown. You will not be burned for for the flames will not consume you.
-
Bring the Rain, Mercy Me


*At times we only have the strength to mutter out "holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty" those are the greatest words we can cry out with during a storm.

Lyrical Friday - Inside

Happy Friday!
I was not planning on posting this song, but God lead me to it. Jared Anderson is an anointed worship leader. Today's song, Inside, has challenged me to 1) submit my life To God as clay in a potter's hands and 2) to be light and love to this World that is quickly pershing. See the connection: God and others.

Praying that God, our consuming fire, may burn away all that keeps us in sin till we are chaged and all that remains is one holy passion for Him. And when we are passionate for God, loving others becomes second nature. God less YOU!!!!

PS-- Be in prayer for the second HEAL group. Small group starts tomorrow Saturday.

Inside, Jared Anderson


No eye has seen, no ear has heard
How the glory of God's gonna cover the world
What will silence the tongues of men
Give our children freedom to dance again
They will dance again

Chorus
I will be clay in the Potter's hand,
I will be light in a darkened land
I will be love lit on fire,
Holy Spirit burn on the inside
I will be color to the black and grey,
I'll raise a banner up in Jesus' Name
And I will be love lit on fire
Holy Spirit, burn on the inside, on the inside

This old world keeps falling apart,
but Jesus comes to wherever you are
Breathing life on the desert floor
And resurrection on the faces of the poor
On the faces of the poor

Oh, oh, oh, oh

ordinary to extraordinary...

Hi Friends.

Today's post is coming to you from in the name of Love by Bianca Juarez. Her blog has been a huge source of encouragement in my walk since the day I first read it. It's like an everlasting, neverending Gobstopper, each post is like a layer of the candy, unique in its own way yet just as exciting and challenging as the last. May you be blessed and challenged in your walk today as you read Ordinary to Extraordinary.

David was a mere shepherd boy until the day he was anointed by Samuel. From the top of his head to the tip of his toes he was covered as a providential sign of his calling. From that pivotal point on, his life was rocked. An ordinary shepherd boy began to do extraordinary things. Oh, you know, like killing beast of the fields and slaying giants. Average stuff for a teenage boy called to greatness.

Deborah was part of the tribe of Israel until she was called to be a judge in the land. To painfully point out the obvious, she was a woman. But this ordinary wife was a leader, foreseer, and motivator to the masses. She lead Israel into a successful battle, when women of this time were non-entities of society. No matter the gender bifurcation or elevation, she did was God called her to do: Be extraordinary.

Peter was a fisherman. No, not like Long John Silver, but like one of the Jersey Shore kids. Leathered skin, horrible accents, unwarranted swagger. Fisherman were over-looked by society, but this ordinary fisherman was chosen to be a extraordinary fisher of man. He walked on water, participated in miracles, and gave one of the best apologetic defenses of the gospel even today.

How?

When God calls us, He equips us. Each of the people mentioned relied upon the work of the Holy Spirit to fill them... to do the extraordinary. And guess what? God is still calling people to do the impossible.

John 14:12, I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these...

The question is simply, are you willing to stop living an ordinary life?

So, what's your extraordinary life? How can we live spirit-lived lives?