refuse to settle

Before I even started my bible study this morning, I began to think about what has brought me to this very moment of where I am in my walk on this journey towards wholeness with HIM.  In looking back just over the past few months my family has been dealt some pretty harsh blows.  Thinking about it all now, I am so incredibly grateful for HIS Daily Teachings that have been creating in me a powerful mindset of,  I, Heather refuse to settle for anything less than HIS absolute best for my life!

It is absolutely NO surprise to me that HIS Daily Teachings would be about how I must remember to refuse to settle for anything less that HIS absolute best for my life.  HE is showing me how through each trial, test, and storm HE has been, is, and will continue to strengthen and grow my FAITH in HIM so that I will be more than able to stand firm when the storms rage in my life.  HE is wanting me to know that this is why I must surrender my life to HIM, and dedicate my life daily to HIM, to teach, lead, and guide me every single moment of my life.

HE is telling me that I must not let my fear of suffering and being uncomfortable  keep me from pressing on and pressing through the hard stuff in my life.  HE is showing me that in my past I have let my fears completely throw me off track, and in turn I have made a HUGE mess out of the circumstances of my life, and have wrecked many of my relationships with others.  HE is wanting me to know that it was NEVER HIS intention for me to stay in this mindset, and this is why HE has captured my heart once again to show me that without HIM I truly can't do anything.  HE is letting me know that this is why I must align my heart and mind to HIS will by saying, "I, Heather, refuse absolutely REFUSE to settle for anything less than GOD's absolute best for my life!"

HE is wanting me to know that HE doesn't want me to just give up and settle half-way through the blessings that HE is wanting to pour over my life.  HE is telling me that it has always been HIS intention for me to receive HIS full blessings in my life.  HE is teaching me that I must refrain from saying, "this is too hard, I've been through too much, when will it end?"  Rather, I must begin to say, "this situation is hard, however GOD's got this, HE has it all worked out for my best already, I must remember to stand firm in my FAITH and speak HIS words about WHO HE IS, WHAT HE's DONE, and WHAT HE WILL DO for me, as my life is a living testament to HIS FAITHFULNESS and GOODNESS!"

HE is telling me that HIS plan for my life has, been, and will always be for me to go all the way through my journey with HIM.  HE is wanting me to know that HE will always be with me, and HE will NEVER forsake me.  HE will always carry me through the storms of my life, and HE will always take my burdens off of me when I seek HIM.  HE is telling me that HE will always be there, and HE delights in me when I say that I refuse to settle for anything than HIS absolute best for my life!  

Once again HE is wanting me to know that it has always been HIS plan that I would write HIS Daily Teachings, as HIS vessel of encouragement to reach the lost, broken, lonely, and hopeless.  I am learning daily that I am able to write HIS Daily Teachings, because I have made up my mind that I refuse to settle for anything less than HIS absolute best for my life.  HE is wanting me to know that  anything means no matter how hard, humiliating, stressful, absolutely anything less than HIS best for my life is ALL part of HIS beautiful message of hope that HE is using me to reach the masses of hopeless, broken, lost and lonely souls.

For this reason I will continue to seek HIM daily and wait patiently for HIM to teach, lead, and guide me, so that I will know what it is that I am needing to know in order to live my life according to HIS will.  NOT only will I seek HIS words, but I will meditate on HIS Daily Teachings, and I will put them into play into my life.  It has been through HIS amazing grace that I have been able to wake each morning feeling blessed to be living this life that has been written specifically, perfectly, on purpose for HIS purpose for me.

HE is wanting me to know that when I refuse to settle for anything less, I must understand that HIS growing and strengthening of my FAITH in HIM won't happen over night.  Rather it is a daily process a slow process, as well I've mentioned before I am a slow learner.  HE is telling me that this is why that in my daily walk I encounter trail after trial, test after test, and storm after storm.  HE is wanting me to know that each and every trial, test, and storm isn't so that I will break and crumble, but rather so that I will be able to put to use HIS words, and be able to stand firm with unwavering FAITH in HIM, to know that no matter what is happening in my life, HE's got it all, in HIS hands, and HE will work it all out for my own good.

HE is reminding me once again that HE paid the ultimate price for my life.  Therefore, HE is now asking me to pay the price in fully surrendering to HIM by seeking HIM daily to set a fire down in my soul  that craves and desires more of HIM.  HE is telling me that the purpose of this fire is so that a great desire will grow deep within my heart to seek HIM daily, and ask HIM to teach, lead, and guide me, and putting to use HIS Daily Teachings, by refusing to settle for anything than HIS absolute best for my life.

I absolutely love HIS word that has been HIS gift to me this morning through The Message Bible ~ 

"But the seed planted in the good earth represents those who hear the Word, embrace it, and produce a harvest beyond their wildest dreams.” Mark 4:20  The Message Bible

Through HIS word this morning HE is teaching me that  HE won't give me anything  more than what I am mature enough to handle.  This for me includes, HIS blessings, and HIS favor.  This is hard for me, as it is making me really examine and admit to where I am falling completely short of HIS GLORY.  Through my tears HE is replaying the events of yesterday in my mind, and showing me how I have failed to mature in my walk with HIM in regards to my health.

Yesterday I was just laying around with my children watching movies, eating junk food, and really just completely ignoring HIS HOLY SPIRIT's promptings that I needed to stop eating junk food, and drinking iced coffee and soda.  However, in my selfishness, and my desire to do what I wanted to do, not only did I refuse to hear HIS whispers, I refused to heed HIS whispers.  Not long after I heard the final whisper I fell asleep, and was awoken within minutes of a horrible burning pain.  I felt like I was on fire, and my chest was expanding, and it was then that I knew this was the warning HE was talking about.  For 45 min, I cried out in pain, and begged HIM for relief.  I pleaded that I would listen, that I would take better care of myself, and my health, and through each prayer the pain deepened.  My children ended up calling D and he came home from work.  This for me was awful, as I had caused this, and now D was missing work.  By the time D got home the pain had finally diminished, and I was left in its dust.  Completely and utterly spent, cried, out, and embarrassed.  

"Mature Christians are the ones who hear the Word and receive and accept and welcome it and.... who bear fruit" Joyce Meyer "Change Your Words, Change Your Life"

HE is wanting me to know that without even realizing it I am able to bear fruit through my children.  HE is showing me that yesterday when I had my painful acid reflux  attack for 45 min my youngest daughter and oldest son held each of my hands, and rubbed my back.  It was with tears in their eyes that they both boldly with HIS true confidence prayed out loud for their Mama.  They both chose to stand firm in their FAITH in HIM that HE would heal their Mama.  For 45 min my little prayer warriors stormed the gates of HEAVEN on my behalf, and HE is wanting me to know that they didn't just learn that from nothing, they were modeled that, and it has been through me that they have learned that their HEAVENLY FATHER loves them, and cares for them, and that HE truly does hear each and everyone one of our cries, and HE does answer every single prayer.  They also got to see that our prayers are answered in HIS timing, and NOT our own.

If that wasn't enough to make my Mama heart burst, later that night our youngest son fell and hit his head.  Immediately he was placed in my arms, and I placed my hand on his head and began to pray.  It was then that my other son came up to his brother and placed his little hand on his head, and with tears in his eyes he prayed to our HEAVENLY FATHER to please heal his little brother.  Thinking about yesterday's events brings tears of JOY and HAPPINESS to my eyes and heart, in knowing that it is all because I model a prayer warrior for my children, and show them daily that HE really does love us, and HE cares for us, that we must seek HIM, and I know that it is all because I have held onto the mindset that I refuse to settle for anything than HIS absolute best for my life!

HE is wanting me to know that HIS Daily Teachings is another way that I am bearing fruit, and that is by my seeking HIM to create in  me a heart and mindset daily that says, "I, Heather  REFUSE, ABSOLUTELY REFUSE TO SETTLE!!!!!"  HE is teaching me that this is why HE has me write about my struggles and share my story by choosing to speak HIS words about HIS truth as to what has happened in my life, how HE has, is, and will continue to redeem me from my hurt and pain.  HE is letting me know that when I seek HIM He will continue to give me the strength to be used as HIS vessel of encouragement to reach the masses to tell them how my life was saved by HIS amazing grace, and how HIS love is truly unending, unfailing, and totally relentless.  It is because of HIS grace and HIS love, I know that I am called to be relentless in my FAITH.  I must choose to stand firm and live my life refusing to settle!

Dear Friends, I pray today that you will feel HIS presence, and know that HE is there.  I pray that you will seek HIM, and that you will have the courage to speak HIS words so that you too will overcome the hurt and pain in your life.  I pray today that you will seek HIM to mature your FAITH in HIM, and that you too will ask HIM to create in you the mindset that you refuse to settle for anything than HIS absolute best for your life.  I pray that when you start living with this mindset that HIS favor and HIS blessings will be poured over your life.

Blessings,
Heather