Who's Your Daddy?

I started reading the story of Moses last night. I found that the very beginning of his life (before the basket in the Nile) carried a huge message. Exodus 2, "Now a man of the tribe of Levi married a Levite woman and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son." Who was Moses' father? Most stories in the Bible give you a little lineage or family history, which generally includes the names of the fathers; but this one was different. Neither of his parents' names were given.

 

Some of us feel like we'll never be able to reach our highest potential because of who our parents are or were. Alcoholics, drug-addicts, prostitutes, thieves, drop-outs, liars, unemployed, underemployed...the list goes on. We may have been embarrassed by or disappointed in our earthly parents, but who they are does not dictate who you are or can be.

 

In the very next chapter, (Exodus 3:10) God, our Heavenly Father, tells Moses, "So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” God can use us no matter where/who we came from! What's more important is that we make ourselves available to be used.

 

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!

Lisa B.

Pray For Yourself

We all need prayer. Period. Sometimes we go through things and our first instinct is to say, "pray for me." We call our Pastors, Elders, Deacons, friends and family members, for their powerful prayers. Our circumstances make us feel powerless, at times, like we are incapable of praying for ourselves. It's great to be able to call on people to pray for us, but we have to pray for ourselves, too.

We might say, well, I'm just a man. But James 5:17-18 says, "Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.  Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops."

Since we will probably still pick up the phone to ask for help, let's change our requests; let's say, "will you pray with me or in agreement with me...?" instead of just leaving the ball in their court. Because truth be told, they may forget to pray for you. Not because your request isn't important, but because they're human, too. Pray for yourself.

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!

Lisa B.

It's Simple

Simplicity: the quality or condition of being easy to understand or do.

Wouldn't it be great if we lived a life of simplicity? Nowadays, things seem so complicated; but are they really? Do we make things harder than they need to be?

Deuteronomy 5:33 says, "Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days...."

Once we understand the simple equation of Faith + Obedience = Prosperity, our lives will become more abundant in every area. God comes to multiply and add to us, but the enemy comes to divide and subtract.

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!!

Lisa B.

Let Your Dreams Live

Dreams are one of the best things we can have in this life. They encourage us to keep going. A reason to live and the motivation to succeed are rooted in our dreams. However, when we start to tell people our dreams (like Joseph with his family in Gensis 37), it seems like the world slowly begins to turn away from us. Some will support you from the beginning, but many, even with a smile, will doubt you and may go as far as to disown you.

So now what? We're all alone; just us and our dreams. Luke 17:37 says, "...He replied, 'Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.'" We should much rather keep our dreams alive and temporarily walk alone, than to kill something inside of us just to have people (vultures) around us for company.

Once our dream and/or vision has been fulfilled, we will be surrounded by the right people at the right time. So, let's hold on. Let's be okay when the wrong people drop off or don't support our dreams. Your dream needs to come to pass!

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!

Lisa B.

It's Not My Fault

From the beginning of time, we have been playing the "Blame Game."
Genesis 3:12-13 (NIV) The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

How often do we find ourselves searching for an excuse? When we find ourselves in unpleasant circumstances or make mistakes, we tend to try to turn the attention on someone else. Having the focus on us can be very uncomfortable.

Learning to take ownership for our faults is a huge sign of growth and maturity. If we aren't making mistakes somewhere along the line, that means we aren't learning or trying something new. From now on, we will admit when we're wrong or have fallen short and work towards making corrections. In the end, we will be better people for taking those actions.

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!

Lisa B.

You're So Childish

Take your mind back to when you were a child. Adorable, innocent, humble and free. You depended on your parents/caregivers to help you and you didn't have a problem asking for what you wanted/needed.

 

Now let's think about who we are today. We're always on the go. Some of us are super independent. Others walk around stone-faced. The rest of us are too proud to ask for anything. When did we become this person? This person who has it all and doesn't need anything from anybody? Maybe that doesn't quite pertain to you, but are you humble? Are you approachable?

 

It's wonderful to pat ourselves on the back and receive praise for our accomplishments! But let's not forget who helped us. We have to let down our guards every now and then and just smile. Offer a word of encouragement to people who may need it. Ask for help when you need it. Be real...be child-like, in a mature way.

 

Matthew 18:3, "And he said: 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'" This scripture is not telling us to just run around and disregard our responsibilities, but it is encouraging us to be humble and go to God the way a child would go to his parents.

 

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!

Lisa B.

I Hate My Job

Well, it's Monday and for many of us, the start of our work week. From the time I entered the building (for my 9-5) to the time I sat at my desk, I heard three people say, "I hate my job." Now, a lot of people actually mean it when they say those words, but what I've found is that when people say they hate their jobs, they're really saying, "I'm uncomfortable because I didn't follow my dreams;" or "I'm too talented to be here;" generally something along those lines.

If we would take a step back and look at the bigger picture, we would be really grateful. One, we have a job; two, there's a reason that we're there; and three, it could always be worse. We should be making as many connections as possible and learning as much as we can - you never know who knows who.

I'm not saying stay "stuck," but what I am saying is to work with a smile and keep working towards the place where you really want to be. Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,"

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!!

Lisa B.

Power

Sometimes I sit still and wonder where all of my energy went. By day's end, I'm drained; I feel exhausted and weak. Then I realize I never hit my "power" button. I went all day on yesterday's left-over energy.

We are more powerful than we may even realize. Even if we feel like we're done, there's still more left in us. We have to tap into our power source daily!! Begin your day with prayer and/or meditation to renew your power. Take time to understand Ephesians 1:19-20; the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the grave is the same power that lives in us!

Power is not just a thing, it's acutally alive in us!! Let's activate it and use it for  our good and God's glory!

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!

Lisa Butler

Use Your Gifts

Our Father loves us so much! How much you ask? Well we would be here all day if I tried to explain and list reasons supporting His unconditional love for us. What I do know is that He cares enough to give each one of us special gifts. None of us have a gift that is solely for us; they are meant to be shared.

I have three children (two girls and a boy) and what I've learned to do for birthdays is to give them gifts, of course, but I always slide something in that all of them are interested in and can benefit from. For instance, my son's birthday is in a few days. He wants action figures and a "real" football. All of them have been asking for a pet lately. So I'm going to get him what he wants, but I also plan on getting him (3) fish (to share). They never feel slighted, but enjoy being able to share their gifts with each other.

What good is it to hold on to something that God blessed you with? We can't put a lampshade over our light. (Matthew 5:15 - Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.)

Please, let your light shine! Be Encouraged! Don't stop! Stumble, but don't fall! Walk if you can't run! Just don't stop!!

1 Peter 4:10 New International Version (NIV)
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

 

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!

Lisa Butler

It's Time to Rest

Often times we are consumed with our day-to-day tasks and planning ahead. Heaven knows what happens when unpleasant situations and problems are added to our daily lives! We begin to talk about how vicious the storm is and how we feel like we're drowning in the rain that's being poured on us.

 

What I've come to realize is that I sleep best when it's raining outside; whether it's a gentle rain or a thunderstorm, it seems very soothing. That's the approach that we should take when we're in life's storms. We're busy enough trying to maintain our usual routines. We should seize the opportunity to rest and let God take full control.

 

None of us want to feel heavy or weighed down by our burdens. The Word of God even says,

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, it's time to rest!

 

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!

Lisa B.

 

I Appreciate You

It has been close to one year since my last blog entry. Within that timeframe, I've learned, grown and accomplished a lot. I'm so eager to share my thoughts, insights, encouragement and findings with all of you!!

I appreciate your Support and Patience!!

    

As always,
Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!