All

Friends,

This morning in my prayer time...I was praying for so many of my friends that are going through difficult times in their marriages. My heart is so heavy to hear so many couples saying the same thing....."we are just Not Happy anymore...." Really??? And let me first say....Been there, done that... I dont have a perfect marriage, but who does??? We are Not Perfect People and why In the world would we expect two Unperfect People to have a Perfect Marriage. In the midst of a conversation with a friend who told me her husband said He wasnt Happy Anymore....I felt the Holy Spirit Rise Up Inside of Me...... WHERE IN YOUR VOWS DID YOU SAY.... IN SICKNESS IN HEALTH.....ALWAYS TO BE HAPPY??? Happy.... is a duedad people! (ITS NOT JOY!) Im sorry... I dont know about you....but I am tired of the devil getting in and making people think that marriage is about Emotions. (once again...been there...done that!)
I read a comment about 6 months ago and sent it to my husband that said..... When I stood at the alter the day of my wedding....I could have done it without my spouse.... (what??? stay with me here ).....
Because My Vows Were to God .... Now sit back and think about this......
I Michelle....take thee Shane....to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold....is sickness and in health....for richer or poorer....in good times and in bad....to love, honor, and protect....foresaking all others..... This is my vow.... (or something like that)

Thinking about that day....and thinking about who I was making that vow to..... well....makes you think. When you got married.....you went to the alter for a reason....you went there together for a reason... You both made a vow...not only to each other....(and when your mad and want to stab that person with a fork....okay...maybe thats just me....LOL) you may not care about the vow you made to them.... (or when they break your heart so deeply...you dont think you could ever trust them again....) you may not care...and think they broke that vow...so why should you care??? But...If you think of the Vow you made to GOD.... it may seem a little different....You know God....the one that laid his life down for you....the one that saved you from eternity in Hell...........The one that FORGIVES you for the MESS you are!!! Are you really going to break that vow to HIM????

I think here is where we lose sight friends... In the book The Love Dare....(I highly suggest all couples read....and not just when your going through trials...read it when things are going good...) Kendrick makes this statement....Placing all aspects of your marriage under the authority of God's Word and prayer is the greatest decision for ultimate success in your marriage. - Kendrick, Dare to Love

You know what really stuck out to me???? One word....One Lil Word....That is so IMPORTANT! The Word....ALL.  And my mind went to racing......ALL aspects of marriage.....
Lets think about the aspects of marriage for a minute....

Prayerfully - Praying for your spouse
Emotional - Committed in your heart to this person to Love and Cherish - Loving them
Mentally - Encouraging, Friend, wanting whats best for that person, Being there for them
Physically - Your love life
Financially - Do you work together to provide and make decisions for you household

and the list goes on and on....Aspects of marriage.....Im sure you could name many more.....

But Do We as Married Couples Place ALL Aspects under God's authority???? Gulp... Look at the list.....

Emotional.... When your so mad.....do you give it to GOD????
Mentally...... When you dont agree with their decisions... do you place it under God's authority???
Physically??? Lets just say it....your sex life....have you placed that under God's Authority???
Financially - Placing it under God's Authority, Meaning doing what HIS WORD SAYS. (YES... Tithing)

Now here is the key... (one WE all get lost at times)....
ALL............
When  you look at this list....can you check 2 items you feel you have put under God's Authority??
Maybe 3???Maybe 4????
Thats not what This says.... It says ALL... Thats what God wants....ALL OF OUR MARRIAGE!

I cant express enough what God is telling me today... and maybe its just for me.... but I hope you hear HIM today in what he is saying..... ALL!

We are not perfect people....but just imagine the marriages that may not have ended up in divorce court...and the children that may not have carried around hurt.... if Somewhere...Someone...would have stopped and said.....ALL. I know this isnt rocket science....and Im not saying anything you dont already know.... but I think its good to remind each other and for us to open our ears to hear what God is saying..... Yesterday or two weeks ago this might not have meant anything to you.... and today maybe it does.... maybe it doesnt....but the next time (you want to stab your spouse with a fork....sorry...just me again)..... think of this statement....All aspects of your marriage under the authority of God's Word.....

I Love You Friends........

blessed to be stressed.............

Michelle Sullivan

My Prayer Today...

Friends,

So today I’m reading Luke 17. And I read….Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. - Luke 17:15,16

Scripture tells us Ten were standing in the distance, all asking him to "cleanse" heal them. But only one turns back to say Thank You. Now immediately most of you will say….yea…I know the story. Well, today as soon as I read it, I began to think not about their healing….but about what Christ did for each one of us on Calvary….and God showed me a picture of Jesus hanging on the cross……For Us….and a crowd turning and walking away from Him….and just one…not me…but someone else….turning and falling at His feet Thanking Him for what He had done. Oh God, my heart cries out today…..how often have I been the other nine? I pray, cry, fast, and ask you God for cleansing, not just in my body, but relationships, finances, things of this world….and as soon as You do them…….have I been the other nine? Do I not carry that praise and thanksgiving on my lips forever? Thanking you for what you have Already Done. Oh God, have I told you lately Thank You for what you did on the cross for me that day?

I want to be a thankful woman, Lord. I want to wake up each day with a Thankful Heart….for what You have already done...You deserve more Lord. I want to be the thankful one, for everything He has already done, I want to turn back and fall at his feet. Have you done this? Today? Not asked God for your need today….but Thanked God for what he has already done?

The next part of this scripture shows us that Jesus noticed….he noticed that only one turned back…..and it affected him. This is where my Heart Broke....I Felt Shameful. He asked "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?" People will argue that it didn’t affect him….but why is it mentioned? Why did he ask the one about the others? He Healed them! How long had some of them had this disease? How long had they suffered? What more did He do for us?

Lord, this morning I’m standing here today waiving my arms in the crowd…..I was one of the nine…..but Lord..I do Thank You! For every prayer that has been answered….for dying for me on the Cross…..for your Word…for your Grace and Mercy, oh God. Thank You for loving ME!.

Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases- Psalm 103:2 Have we forgotten? That he forgave our sins…and healed our diseases….for no other reason then He Loves Us! Have we become a people that expect Gods Love and forget to Praise Him for it? Scripture shows us over and over how we are to Praise Him, not for what we want…but for what He has Already done.
Let us be reminded today to "forget not his benefits"…when we are looking at all that is wrong in this world, and everything we would pray to be different….."Forget not his benefits…" Psalm 107 says: "He sent forth his Word and healed them: he rescued them from the grave". Its already been done friends. He has already rescued us by dying on the cross for us. He Loves Us! His Love….So Great…So Wide. Bask In It! Enjoy It! Love It! And Friends…..Praise Him for It! No Greater Love….Nothing else that he could do for you today would be greater than what He has already done. What are you waiting for????

Today this is my prayer, (maybe yours too), I want to Be Thankful Lord, Thankful for what You have already done. Help me to see the good and not focus on the bad. Guard my ears from the things of this world and let me be set apart, Help Me TO BE THE ONE!

I Love You!

Francesca Battistelli - This Is The Stuff (Live)

Go to YouTubePlay video © 2011 WMG This Is The Stuff (Live) [video] 00:03:05 Added on 5/02/11 50,919 views

 

Friends, I read a blog today of a Spin instructor that was talking about encouraging her ladies in her Spin class. And in what she was saying about the climb of the spin class....God began to speak to me about The Climb of my Life and Where I have been lately.     This Spin instructor had a list of quotes she said to the ladies on the bikes to encourage them.... * Go! Get after it! * Whoo! * You're not tired. * Get on it! Don't let it get on top of you! And when I read the last line....God said.....this is for you.....You've let the world get on top of You! I never meant for you to be here..... What is "It" you ask???? Stuff...just a bunch of stuff of this world...that honestly was too much for me to handle all at once....(Thank God I dont have to handle it by myself..) But Friends.....I gave the Stuff to Him.....but do you know what I did (and I dont give too much credit to the Enemy...because this was me) I Let IT effect Me.....Effect My Emotions. Ive been sprinting for so long....pedaling as hard as I good.....and then...I slowed down...... It wasnt HIM, and it wasnt even the enemy....It was Me! Friends, we can blame it on the enemy all we want......but sometimes.....Its Just Us! Flesh, Tired....Emotional....bitter.....Tired...oh, did I already say....Tired.....US! And today God is telling Me.... "Get back on it, Michelle! Don't let it get on top of you!" Theres been conflict everywhere for me.   Work, Ugh! Home.... I have been in pain for weeks.  People I thought were my friends....well...... and on and on.....(Im sure all of you could fill in your list of stuff) Have I walked 100% in the power of The Holy Spirit recently??? No. I allowed my circumstances to climb on top of me. And weigh me down. I've cried. I've yelled at my kids, Snapped at coworkers...and my husband, and even said a few not so nice words....(that my son happened to notice)   But today God is saying.....This is not where I meant for you to be....."Get back on top of it." So....my song for the day has been Francesca Battistelli - This Is The Stuff .....See the Link above ...Have you ever had days, weeks or times that you just feel this way????   This is the stuff That drives me crazy This is the stuff That's getting to me lately In the middle of my little mess I forget how big I'm blessed This is the stuff That gets under my skin But I've gotta trust You know exactly what Your doing Might not be what I would choose But this is the stuff You use   So break me of impatience Conquer my frustrations I've got a new appreciation It's not the end of the world... AHHHHH! doesnt that feel good to say......ITS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD! And when she says....Might not be what I would choose....hmmmm. Wouldnt it be great if we could tell God what he could use to conquer our frustrations???? But we cant. He is the author and finisher....He is writing this thing...not Us...and you know what else??? sometimes...(Im ashamed to say it) I forget How BIG IM BLESSED! Blessed in every area of my life....Blessed regardless what this world throws at me....thats the meaning of real Blessings......Im so Thankful today for My Blessings. And Im Getting Back on Top of IT!   Sometimes....situations dont have to turn around for you to see the Good around you......You've just got to SEE THE GOOD....Its there! People (ME) get focused on the situation at hand...or lets be honest, the emotions at hand, the hurt feelings, being let down, and they (me) forget all about the Good before or after for that matter. Does that make sense???? There are going to be difficult situations....but dont let those make you get off the bike.....keep pedaling...actually....Pedal HARDER! Can I apply that to prayer....Me talking to myself here........In the midst of my Mess....about the time I dont think I can pray anymore.......KEEP PRAYING.... Actually PRAY HARDER!!!!!!!!   The Word of God tells us... In all things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. 1 John 5:4 Therefore be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Romans 15:58 I must remember...and this goes for you too my friends........Say it! "I know who I am In Christ!  I am Steadfast, I am immovable, I am a Conqueror.....IN HIM! (not of my myself) I have the Victory today over THIS STUFF!" Amen!   Be encouraged today....whatever it is that is The Stuff in your life today.......Its Not The End Of The World.....You are Blessed.....Think of something Good (You can find Something) and Think God for That!   Smile! Love ya! too blessed to be stressed............. Michelle Sullivan

Live A Life Of Love

Friends,

I read a story today of a woman that came home one day to find her kids had drawn her pictures. She looked at the pictures with Love and Appreciation...then she realized the first picture was of her sitting at her computer...the second was her sitting by the pool...Is this what her kids thought of her?? This is what Mom does?  So, in reading this I thought to myself...what would my kids draw me doing? And you know what the first thought came to my mind...They would probably draw me: on my cell phone driving down the road,  working out,  doing laundry,  scrapbooking...and then... I cried.

What do my kids think I'm doing? What am I showing them? In my heart, I would hope they draw me:  Dancing for Jesus, Hugging and Loving Them and their Daddy, Ministering to other Women...Reading to them from the Bible. Are my kids going to look back and say,"Yea, I remember we were always in the car...going somewhere....doing something..." So, today Lord, I come to you, asking You Lord, for lots of Grace and a whole lot of Balance.   Because this what I am afraid my kids are seeing in me...

* Mommy on her cell phone every time we get into the car
* Mommy leaving us to go workout
* Mommy always asking us to "hurry up" because were late

Ugh!

I know God put me in their lives to be an example to them.  In 1.Corinthians 11.1 Paul tells the church to follow him as He follows Christ. My children trust me, they observe me, every move I make, they are watching. Looking for me to be that example....and If I don't....trust me....The World will! I want to be that example. But on my own.....I'm not. On my own, in my flesh, I fail. This is why friends, we as wives, mothers, caregivers, must surrender all of ourselves to Christ. If we hold back anything...we take the chance of that being the one thing our children follow. (Dont get me wrong....none of us our perfect) But scripture calls us to be imitators of Him...
"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us." Ephesians 5:1,2.
Live a Life Of Love - now there's an order. A Life of Love. That is my prayer today....I Pray that the life I live my kids will see... first and foremost my love for Christ, my love for their daddy, my love for them, my Love for my family, my church, and my friends. I want the picture my kids draw of me to be that of me at the altar, with my hands raised, praising God and giving him All of me.  Because the only way I can be All to Them....is to give All to Him.

Now friends...this started out me beating myself up for everything Im not.....BUT GOD! In the midst of my pity party God said "I have emptied myself of everything But Love....so You could be Filled!" Jesus....made me jump in the air right there and Praise Him! He is Right! (Of Course), Everything He did....Everything He does....Its All About Love! The wonderful, awesome, never ending....Love He has for US! Oh, How I Love Him! And here I am reminded....Love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sin.

1 Peter 4:8b. Sin, my failures....got me to thinking.....His Love Covers My Sin, My Failures. Thank You Lord. It Covers Me.  I don't have to try and be All things to my kids...I have to Love God and let him do the rest. But the key is.....Love God 1st. Everything I do....I want my kids to see Love...not frustration..(Help Me Jesus).
God is encouraging me today...so I hope this encourages you.... "We Can Do All Things...Through Christ.." He will never give us more than we can take...and Because He has filled us with His Love....He knows that we can do what He has called us to do.......Love.

Friends.....

I was driving to work this morning in the pouring rain on the backroads of Crandal listening to the weather report on the radio. Listening to all the warnings, etc, when a woman on the radio said.....if the water looks to high...... "TURN AROUND..... DONT DROWN!" And all at once I heard God say.... "ITS THAT EASY! Turn around.... dont drown". Well, I listened as God reminded me.... with such a sense of urgency... that is exactly how sin is.  We see it up ahead.... we know what it is.... and we just keep going towards it.... sometimes.... just testing to see how far... how deep it is!
One foot in....one foot out... and we know that God has set us free from the bondage of that sin, (no matter how small we think it is... fear, anxiety, bitterness....drugs, alcohol, jealousy) we know that we shouldnt be anywhere near it! And we find ourselves.... once again...going towards it. Maybe its not too bad.... we convince ourselves.... its different.... were stronger now, were walking in victory, walking with God... and what we dont see is that the closer and closer we get to the puddle........ God is screaming to TURN AROUND! DONT DROWN! What didnt kill us before, could easily be the one thing that KILLS us this time! I got to my office and went straight to my computer to find the scripture about wages of sin....... Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is DEATH, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ".
We wonder and question why people can be set free from sin and go right back to it??? Its not because we dont see the warning signs.... its not because God Lets us go........ its because we choose to TEST THE WATERS!
Friends, God has sent a warning today.... (if its only for me!) TURN AROUND! DONT DROWN! I dont believe any of us are free from being targets of the devil.... if we are walking with Christ we have a bullseye on us for the devil. He is here to KILL, STILL, and destroy. Dont let him, TURN AROUND! DONT DROWN! God is telling us its that easy! All we have to do is turn around..... he will handle the rest.

Love you all.