Having a Purpose

We all have a passion, a calling, a purpose in our lives. Some of us choose to pursue it and some of us don't. For the past few months I was confused and my vision was blurred for a season. I was too concentrated on my own self and my own desires that took the focus off of what I was called to do. I became lazy and apathetic in all that I did, I definitely wasn't living EXCELLENCE IN ALL I DO! During the past 21 days of fasting and prayer, I was encouraged to set aside all that I desire and truly seek God for my purpose in life. The first week I didn't, I was being lazy as I said earlier, didn't really care. Then the second week I started to pray a little bit for direction but still not full heartily just kinda doing it because I felt that I had to. The third week which we're still in it, God spoke through TJ to get my attention which kept me up the other night. TJ stated that I did well with children's ministry. I was like yes, I do well and enjoy it when I'm there but I'm tired of it in a sense. But God revealed the other night that it was my flesh in the way telling me that I am burnt out and lazy. I chose to not allow the enemy to have a hold of my life like he had. Now knowing and being completely confident in my calling to be in children's ministry has now taken me to the next step in the process of getting there. I have set up an appointment with our children's pastor to share my heart and hear his insight of more responsibility, more involvement, the prepping for a weekend service, you name it. I am now ready to quit being comfortable and take a risk in learning how be a children's pastor. An extra plus is I'm learning under one of the greatest children's pastors ever!

Chase after your purpose and calling in life! Be passionate and excited about it! Get out there and make a difference for His Kingdom!!!! God will never leave us nor forsake us.

Running...

This morning we were running up Lakewood Ranch Blvd., I was in the groove of running where I could run for hours. I was in my own little world thinking about how much I really love running. The weather was awesome with a cool breeze, I just felt good! As I was thinking God asked me what are you running after in the spiritual realm? I didn't think too much about it, I just continued running. Then a few minutes later he asked me again. As I ran I began to think about it and question what am I running for? Am I running after God full heartily? Am I running to seek His counsel? Am I running to do His will for my life? Just a few of the things that popped into my head.
So the question is what are YOU running after?

What is your Giant in life?

I was at Books A Million this afternoon with my team, we chose a book, read about it and shared what it meant to us. So I went over to the Christian section looking at books trying to see what I wanted to read. I came across "Facing Your Giant" by Max Lucado. I grabbed it and didn't want to put it down. As I read about David and his story which most of us has heard a million times! But something stuck out more than normal. I started to think about the giants in my life that are keeping me from being fully saturated in Christ. I started asking myself questions of what I can do to take down the giants!
This is what I came up with:
Live with Faith
Trust in God
Think more of others not all the crazyness I'm dealing with
Giving up control
To not be as lazy

Whats keeping you from beating your Giant?

What Legacy are you leaving?

Today I have pondered alot on what type of legacy I was leaving. What do I want to be remembered as?
I was asked this question a week or two ago by TJ and I didn't have much to say during the conversation, but it has been on my heart all day long.

I don't have it all together yet but these were the thoughts that came to mind today:
as a woman of God who served and loved the Lord
cared for the hurting
left a positive impact on the people I met and invested time into
that people loved being around me
encouraging others to grow in their relationship with the Lord

These are just a few thoughts that came to my mind today!
What do you want others to remember you as? Keep this in mind as you walk throughout your day, it might change your outlook and mindset on things!

A Night of Worship

You know when you push snooze like 10 times and end up waking up 15 minutes before you need to leave! This is how my day started this morning!! It started off on the wrong foot and was a long day. But being able to end my night with a little worship was amazing!

Worship is defined as:
reverent honor and homage paid to God

My definition of worship is pretty much the same just giving thanks to God!

As I worshiped tonight all I could do was give God thanks! I don't always think about where he's taken me from and brought me to, it amazes me! I was in awe of who He is in my life tonight more than ever. Getting out of self and seeking God and others makes a world of difference in ones life!

When I enter worship and prayer I sometimes just ask and want but now I'm working on changing my mindset of worship into giving God the Praise and Honor that He deserves. Next time yall are worshipping God, take a moment and give Him thanks for what He's done in your life and what He's going to do!

Lets take worship to a HNL (hole new level) this last week of fasting and prayer! God is going to do amazing things if you just allow Him too!!!

Learning to be Thankful

I feel as if I'm not always thankful for the things I need to be. I walk throughout my days sometimes just seeing the negative in things and never stop and think wow God, I'm still here! Alive and well! God has done so many amazing things in my life that I need to stop and say THANK YOU GOD!
I'm learning to Praise and Thank God during the roughest seasons of life and the greatest seasons of life! WE go through suffering in order to strengthen our faith! So no matter how things are going just take a minute and thank God for what he's done in your life! I know God will show up in each of our lives more and more when we decide to be thankful for all the great things he's done in our lives!!!
Be Blessed Friends!

Change of Mindset

This morning I woke up exhausted! I was nice,warm, and cozy in my bed and didn't want to get up!  I was like its going to be cold when I walk outside and my car is going to be cold.  And right then God reminded me of how many people are on the streets freezing right now,who didn't get a good night sleep because they were cold and sleeping on the hard ground. They may not even have long pants or a jacket on.  It really moved me to get right out of bed and be THANKFUL for all that I have!  Materialistic things keep me from fully seeking the Lord because I get caught up in needing to be comfortable!  The reality of this is that God doesn't always want us to be comfortable, he allows us to be uncomfortable that we may grow in areas of our life!  So the next time you get caught up in the things of the world be thankful for where has you! 

I read a verse last night about being able to give him praise in all circumstances!!

Psalm 143:6

I lift my hands to you in prayer. I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain. 

David knew to give the Lord praise no matter how he felt!  That he was thirsty for him. Whatever it is thats keeping you from fully seeking Him, give Him praise in the hard times!  Be thirsty for Him!  Go to a whole new level with God today!!  

God will move your mountain

Yesterday was a rough day!  I was getting caught up in my emotions, looking into situations more than I should have been, believing the lie's of the enemy, you name it I was believing it.  I was not able to fully get into the presence of God during prayer, I was frustrated about it.  So after all that said I went outside and just sat, cried a little and just really pressed into what God wanted me to see and hear!  As I sat there confessing all my frustrations and saw all my sin and a HUGE mountain.  God reminded me of my quiet time I had that morning, I was reading about faith and having faith to move the mountains in my own life.  God said wake up Whitney and have the faith that with my strength this will be removed!  As I sat there, I was like in order to see true freedom I have to do it!  

"Don't be discouraged, all good leaders have there struggle days and this too will pass.  Keep your head held high and keep reaching for the sky." -TJ Mccormick

That quote also put things into perspective for where I was at that moment.  Continuously pressing on no matter the circumstance!  And the second I fully trusted God with everything, everything came all together!  WE serve a mighty God!  

So when your down, upset, discouraged keep your head held high towards Jesus!  He's the one we're here to impress not people!  

No Looking Back

Why is it that so many times in our lives we look back at the negative things and don't rejoice in the victories?
I find myself in this situation almost daily. I'm always looking back at the things I did wrong and wonder why did I do that. But the reality of it is that we are victorious through Jesus who has brought us out of darkness. The devil will do all that he can to keep you dwelling on the past but guys we are called to stand firm with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, the breastplate of righteousness, and with your feet fitted for the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Also take the shield of faith, helmet of salvations, and the sword of the spirit. This all comes from Ephesians 6:10-19. We have been given these tools from God so lets become courageous and use them!

1 Peter 5:10
10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
We may suffer for a bit and go through a tough season but hes going to make us stronger in our faith. He Grace abounds in each of us! WE just have to press on and allow God to do his work in each of us!