LIFE IS BETTER WHEN YOU LET GOD LEAD

By Danelle Carvell

                                                    

Are you navigating a difficult life without God's power?

I have often felt like I don't fit in. The things that people value in this world, I couldn't care less about. I don't value material things. Most people see high education, important titles, and a high income as the best measurements for success. I measure success by God's standards, not by the world's standards. I don't need to accumulate a bunch of stuff in order to feel worthy and successful. And I don't try to impress others with the stuff that I accumulate.  

To some people, I am probably seen as someone who hasn't made much of herself. I came close to an associate's degree, but didn't finish college. I have never had what people consider a high income, and I have never held what the world considers an impressive title or position. 

One of the signs that you are being led by the Holy Spirit is that you are willing to follow a path that is different from what the world says you should pursue. My goals, my values, and my measurements for success are not of this world. Those things are instilled in me by God through the Holy Spirit. 

That is why I don't value people based on income or the work that they do or don't do.  I don't see educated people as more valuable than uneducated people. Education and accomplishment is not what makes a person valuable to God. God values our kindness toward others and our willingness to put Him first. 

Being Holy Spirit led means that you are being guided by the Spirit of God, the third person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is the navigator that abides within every born-again believer. This divine guidance is what allows me to stand strong and survive in a messed-up world. 

What is messed-up about the world? Everything that's wrong in this world is the result of people lacking guidance from the Holy Spirit. When we don't live by biblical values, we hurt ourselves and we hurt other people. 

Those who are not Spirit-led, don't have that inner voice that helps them make right decisions. So they are easily swayed by their own pride, their own judgement of right and wrong, and their own ideas about how they should live and how they should treat others. 

People who lack the Holy Spirit make bad decisions for themselves and others. Their priorities are not in order. They are often fearful and anxious. They don't go to God when they have a decision to make. They feel guilt, shame and condemnation because they don't let holy, spiritual comfort into their lives.  

Do you stay quiet when a conversation leans toward wrong thinking?  Do you say nothing when someone displays an ungodly attitude or a wrong action? Another sign that you are being led by the Holy Spirit is having the strength and courage to speak your mind on moral issues instead of going along with popular opinion. You will stand up for biblical truth no matter who disagrees or how badly you are outnumbered. 

A Holy Spirit led person sees as God sees. She feels as God feels. I can instantly detect a wrong attitude in someone. I can sense the state of a person's heart. I know when someone is envious or prideful. I know when someone is angry, confused, upset or uncomfortable. God gives me an inner knowing about people and situations through the Holy Spirit. And this is how I navigate life. 

Living by the power of the Holy Spirit allows me to live in a way that pleases God and to have integrity in all my relationships, both personal and professional. The Spirit of God helps me to be more than I am, helps me to say more than I know, and helps me to do more than I possibly could without Him. I am fueled by God's power, so I have a strength and wisdom that can only come from Him. 

I believe the Holy Spirit even helps me to write. He puts ideas into my head and helps me say things in an understandable way. I am learning to hear the voice of God more and more, and His leading is becoming more evident in my life. I have confidence that God's power within me is greater than anything I will ever face in this life. 

"Being led by the Spirit isn't something we do passively. It's a conscious decision we make to be different from a world that thinks those who live according to the Bible are backward and out of step. It's a choice to trust God's word and stand against a woke culture that rejects what scripture says about marriage, sexuality, and even gender." says Stephen Strang in his book, "Spirit-Led Living in an Upside Down World."

What is the main responsibility of a Spirit-led believer? Reaching others for Christ is the answer. The most important question I could ever ask someone is this: Where will you spend eternity? 

This life is temporary. Nothing that happens here matters in comparison to your eternal destination and the life you will have forever after you leave this earth. Considering that death can come for anyone at any moment, eternal life is by far the most important subject that people tend to ignore. 

Forever is a long time to spend in a place you are not certain about. Not knowing where I'm going would scare the Hell out of me because once I'm there.... I am there forever, and I can't change it. That is some scary truth, and I want my bases covered. Spirit-led living means having peace and confidence about both my life on earth and my life for eternity. 

When God is in charge of your thoughts, your actions and your decisions, you are living your best life possible. You are the happiest that you could possibly be. You overcome every obstacle because God shows you the way out. You become a powerful influence on your family, friends and community. And God will lead you to fulfill all your dreams. Your purpose in life will be crystal clear, and it will lead you to prosperity and deep satisfaction. 

If all that sounds like something that is lacking in your life, start getting to know the Holy Spirit by spending time with Him and talking with Him. Sit quietly and wait for Him to talk to you in your spirit. God wants to lead you and guide you in this challenging life of yours. But He will not show up without an invitation. 

Open your heart and mind to the Holy Spirit's leading and watch everything about your life be transformed. Nothing compares to the glorious life that awaits you as a Spirit-led believer who knows how to navigate every challenge, every problem and every person who comes against you. With God on your side, you will be blessed with every good and perfect gift. You will walk in confidence because Jesus walks with you. 

You have a power available that can give you joy and peace. It's a power that will make you victorious over every difficulty. No matter how crazy this world gets, you will see God at work in your life when you welcome the Holy Spirit. 

I don't fit in to this world because there's something in me that is not of this world. God leads me to think, speak and act according to His rules and expectations. And that is why I find myself to be the odd- man-out at times. But that's okay. I would rather be right with God than to be right with this crazy, immoral, upside-down world. 

STEP INTO YOUR OWN LIFE

By Danelle Carvell

                                                    

Social media was not a thing in the seventies, and I wouldn't change a thing.

Why do I always feel better when I take a break from social media? There was a time when social media didn't exist, but today, many people can't get through a day without it. But is it really good for us? Are there better things we could be doing with our time?

Growing evidence is being presented about the negative impact of social media on mental health. The US Surgeon General, Dr Vivek Murthy recently issued an advisory about the harmful effects of social media use among children and teens, including depression, anxiety, and sleep problems. 

"Children are exposed to harmful content on social media, ranging from violent and sexual content, to bullying and harassment. And for far too many children, social media use is compromising their sleep and valuable in-person time with family and friends." said Murthy. 

I was just saying to my husband yesterday that I would not want to be growing up in today's world. We were eating ice cream while sitting across from the place where Jim spent much of his childhood. It is now a fenced-in patch of grass, but when he was a kid, it was the Elizabethville swimming pool. 

He told me that my childhood, growing up in Pillow, must have been boring because our town didn't have a pool. I argued that I wasn't bored ever. I had a sand box. We had horses at one time. I created board games. I pested my dad until he bought us a good-sized above ground swimming pool. Then the neighbor kids really showed up. 

Our town friends, my siblings and I played games in the back yard. Some of them were original games we made up. I recall a game we called "Koogle," but I don't remember exactly how it was played, other than the wooden markers we placed around the yard, which we ran to when our turn came up. It was a weird form of baseball.

We did mischievous things like soap the windows of houses and cars around Halloween. We would sneak into the corn field and swipe a bunch of cobs, then bring them into our barn where we would sit around a big tub and shell the kernels off until our fingers were sore. 

The neighbor kids were there to help because they, too, would use that supply of hard, dried kernels to throw against the doors and windows of our neighbor's homes during Trick-or-Treat week.  A handful of corn forcefully propelled against a window makes quite a racket, and probably made people jump as they relaxed toward evening. Sometimes people would yell at us from their front doors and we would hide in a bush, holding back the laughter. The smart neighbors ignored us and we eventually left them alone. 

We also did things like kicking out the street lights when they came on. We spent a lot of time in a certain mulberry bush when the berries were ripe. We had creeks to play in, a basketball court that also served as a tennis court, a playground with a dangerously-high sliding board, and lots of critters to collect such as tadpoles, frogs and lightning bugs. 

We had bikes, scooters, hoola hoops, wagons, pogo-sticks, jump ropes, sidewalk chalk, jacks, and trees to climb. When it rained hard, we had huge puddles in our yard big enough to float a raft on. During winter the ponds would freeze at the end of town and ice skates were on every kid's Christmas list. The highlight of each year was the Pillow Carnival and we never missed watching the ferris wheel go up. 

I'm glad I didn't have a phone back then. I'm grateful that I got through high school without the distraction of social media. We had real conversations with people who paid attention instead of scrolling. We spent our time being creative, being physically active and forming friendships in-person. I truly believe that my childhood would have been completely different if social media were a thing back then. My growing-up years would not have been better.

Social media has transformed the social lives of girls especially. They have put themselves onto platforms that prioritize social comparison and performance. Ninety-five percent of teens use social media for at least two hours a day. Mental health problems are worse among teen girls since the start of social media. There has been a marked rise in female high school students contemplating suicide.

An epidemic of mental illness began among American teens and teens around the world in the early 2010s'. That is the same year that the first smartphone with a front-facing camera came out. So within the following years, teen girls spent hours each day posting photos of themselves on Facebook and Instagram. They also spent time scrolling through the carefully-edited photos of other girls. 

This constant comparison of ourselves with the appearances, performances and accomplishments of others is not a healthy thing to focus on daily. Unless you are grounded in the Lord and know who you are in Christ, you can easily be negatively affected by all that, especially if you are a child. 

We waited longer than most people do to give our daughter a phone. We knew that once she had one, there would be no going back. But it's hard to explain to a child the things you are trying to protect her from. She sees only that you are depriving her of contact with her friends, not realizing how that could actually be a good thing. We really don't need to be in constant contact with anyone, except God. 

And that is why I often put my phone in a drawer and don't pay much attention to it. There have been many days when I spent way too much time on Facebook. And I felt myself being affected by it in negative ways. I couldn't get the work done that I should have been accomplishing in a day, and I found myself comparing my life to the lives of other people, often feeling cheated or living a boring life in comparison. 

I was allowing the enemy to distract me by the success of other people. I was focusing too much on their lives. Social media pulls my mind into unhealthy directions, and I need to get away from it at times to get my focus back on what truly matters in life. 

So if you've been feeling blue lately or feeling like you need a change or you need something more exciting...If you feel unsatisfied with your life in any way, maybe what you need is a break from social media. Go outside and enjoy the beauty of God's creation. Plan to meet a friend for coffee and let your phone in your handbag. 

Make it more of a habit to put your phone away and pay attention to the people and the things happening around you. When your face is in your phone, you miss what God wanted you to notice...things that would have refreshed your mind and brought peace to your soul. All those special moments in life that inspire us, have meaning, make us laugh, bring us joy and feed our souls can be easily missed if we let ourselves be distracted by screen time. 

The good stuff in life happens off-screen, so step back into your own life and feed your soul. 

FORGIVENESS AND TRUST: TWO DIFFERENT THINGS

 

By Danelle Carvell

                                            

Trust and forgiveness are important in our relationships. But confusing their meanings puts unhealthy expectations on people.

People often get confused about the meaning of words. I do it myself. And then I go to my big red dictionary and figure it out. An example of this is how people think that forgiveness and trust have the same meaning. 

I've learned a thing or two about forgiveness, and I've learned a lot about trust. According to the Bible, forgiveness is mandatory, but trust is not. Forgiveness should be generously extended to everyone, but trust is something we can keep on reserve. It's something that not everyone deserves. And we should be very careful about trusting people.  

When I forgive someone, that doesn't mean I automatically trust that person. Trust is something that must be earned over time. I can forgive someone without a reconciliation, because forgiveness does not require inviting that person back into my life. Forgiveness is an act of my will that releases the offender from my resentment for their words or actions. 

It's actually me that benefits most when I forgive because it releases me from thinking about it and replaying the situation over and over. When I forgive, I have more peace and my emotions can become calm again. I don't have to make myself sick thinking about the hurtful thing that was done to me. It's been forgiven. 

This does not mean that I now pretend that I wasn't hurt. It doesn't mean that I condone what took place. It doesn't mean that I relieve people of responsibility for their actions. And it doesn't mean that I must welcome them back into my life and force myself to trust again.

Trust requires wisdom. And only the person who was offended can decide if and when they want to trust again. We should never put an unhealthy expectation on someone who is having trust issues. When you hurt someone, you can't expect everything to go back the way it was in an instant. 

If the offender refuses to recognize that what took place was wrong, and they refuse to admit it was wrong, then wouldn't I be foolish to hand my trust back over to them?  When someone makes excuses for their actions or lies to get themselves off the hook, what is trustworthy about that? 

Forgiveness is something that we should always do. The Bible says that if we don't forgive others, then God will not forgive us of our mistakes. Lord knows I've made my share of mistakes. 

But trust has a completely different meaning. Trust is not something that God commands us to do.  I do have to forgive people who hurt me, but I do not have to trust them. 

So if you are dealing with a situation that hurt you deeply, pray for guidance and direction in how to handle it. And remember that sometimes we must forgive even when we don't feel like it. Forgiveness is not a feeling that comes over you and suddenly you feel the desire to forgive. I've often extended forgiveness when it was the last thing I felt like doing. 

Forgiveness is on God's terms. But trust is on my terms... I decide who and I decide when. And the Bible offers much wisdom to help me decide. 

WHAT GETS ME THROUGH THE NIGHT

By Danelle Carvell

                                                

For me, going to sleep is like going into battle. But I make it through every time. 

I'm sitting here on a Monday morning, the day after my birthday, wanting to share something from the heart. At this point I don't know where I'm going with this or what I'm going to talk about. I only know I want my words to be an encouragement. The world needs more of that. 

I spent my birthday in bed because I've been dealing with severe sleep struggles. I've talked about this before, but for those who don't know, I've dealt with chronic insomnia since 2006. It's a neurological issue, not caused by any kind of anxiety. My brain just can't go into sleep mode. It's like a broken light switch that won't turn off. 

I would not be able to deal with it if not for my faith. That is what keeps me calm when I'm ready to jump out of my skin because I'm so exhausted and I desperately need my mind to shut down and rest. Sleep is very important, and a lack of it can be debilitating. 

Many people are dealing with health issues right now, both physically and mentally. This seems to be a difficult time for almost everyone I know. But the good thing about adversity is the way it can draw you closer to God if you let it. Some people are stubborn and refuse to seek help from Him, and they are the ones who suffer most through the trials of life. 

Why do I believe in God? Because I have seen evidence of His existence. There have been times in my life when I reached a point of desperation and I fell on my face and cried out for help. I saw an answer to those prayers almost immediately. I saw an answer to my prayer after praying for a boy when I was pregnant the first time. And again when I prayed for a girl before my daughter was born. 

Speaking of my daughter, she also saw an immediate answer to prayer just before she met her husband. God moves when we reach a point of total frustration and exhaustion. He rescues us when we are at our wits end. And when we learn to surrender every aspect of our lives to Him, we are set free from fear, anxiety and all types of worry. 

This is the way He meant for us to live. He wants us to take every problem to Him in prayer and trust that He will get us through it. Life is far too difficult to navigate solo. But many choose to deal with their problems on their own. That must be a lonely feeling. Deep down they have to feel an emptiness because God created us to need Him. 

He put into every human being a desire to connect with the creator. When people refuse to make that connection, they will seek fulfillment in other areas in order to fill that void. Maybe they are adventure seekers or they become workaholics. Some people turn to material things, alcohol, sex, drugs, or food to fill the void. Something else will always take the place of God when we shove Him out of our lives. Because that empty hole in the heart that was meant for God needs to be filled.

Someone recently called me "religious" because I believe in God. I could have told him that he's religious too. There's something in his life that he is doing to replace God. And that has become his religion. I suspect it might be drinking because he was sitting in a bar at the time and I saw signs that he spends quite a lot of time there.

Now please don't hear what I'm not saying. I'm not saying that if you go to a bar, you are trying to fill a void. I was obviously in a bar when I saw this guy, so I would have to include myself if I was suggesting all people who drink are lacking God. What I'm saying is that we all have an empty hole in the heart that was meant for God, and if we don't fill that empty space with Him, we will find something else to comfort us. 

Comfort is exactly what He gives me when I'm having a hard time. I don't know where I would be or what state of mind I would be in if I had ignored God's comfort over the years. I've been through some very difficult things. If someone had told me ahead of time the things I would go through, I would have been disturbed by that prediction. 

But I have to say that some of that pain was caused by my own decisions and my being distant from God when I was younger. My life wouldn't have been so messed up if I had put Him in my heart sooner and made Him number one. We bring things on ourselves and then blame God for not helping us. But He was there all along just waiting for me to invite Him to be my guiding light.

So the encouragement I want to give you today is asking yourself who or what you are being comforted by. And how is that working out for you? When I can't sleep, I have a favorite verse that I repeat over and over:

"Do not fear for I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold onto you with my righteous hand."

That is what gets me through the night. I completely trust that Bible verse and I believe God cannot lie. He must fulfill His promise to me every time I cry out to Him. 

What mountain in your life could be moved by spending time with God and filling that empty space in your heart with the only thing that really fits there? Faith has more power than anything you try to replace it with. But you will never experience the power unless you give in to it and give God the time and attention He deserves. 

4 Doors You May Have Opened to Demons

This video explains something I have said in past posts about opening doors to demonic activity in your life. Some things that people do will make them vulnerable to demonic attack. Yes, even born-again believers can be influenced by the deception, torment, temptation and harassment of evil spirits.

Here are the four major areas of vulnerability that will make you more susceptible to demonic attack:

Your Connections- 

Bad company corrupts good character. Sometimes we must engage with unbelievers, but we don't have to be influenced by them. A Christian should always be a positive influence on a non-believer and not the other way around. Is someone you spend time with leading you to do and say things that are not godly? Listening to worldly people will program the way you think.

Your eyes and ears-

What you look at and listen to affects your mind and emotions. Some music has evil lyrics. Violent or sexual and disturbing images will affect your mind in a negative way. Be careful what you set before your eyes and ears. 

Your Mouth-

The way you speak affects the way you think and feel. Let no unwholesome speech come out of your mouth is what the Bible tells us. What comes out of your mouth matters and so does what you put into your mouth. Drunkedness, gluttony, drugs and other substances can invite demonic activity. What you consume can affect the way you think and feel and make you vulnerable. 

States of Being-

Fear, anger, exhaustion, hunger and confusion are examples of states of being that can also make you vulnerable. When you find yourself in a negative state of being, you should go to a place of worship to escape from it. That place could be your own bedroom, not necessarily a church. 

David stresses in the video that anger is not a sin. The Bible says, be angry and sin not. There is a distinction between sin and anger. It is possible to be angry without sinning. But what you do in that anger can become sin. So be careful when you are feeling angry. 

Unforgiveness is also a state of being that you must watch out for. It is possible to forgive someone yet choose to break contact with the person because your trust has been broken. Our culture has a liberal mind-set that teaches we must be tolerant of everyone and we should never step away from a relationship or cut off contact with anyone. That is not what the Bible teaches. Jesus walked away from people all the time. You do have the right to do the same without feeling guilty. 

Stay away from these four doors and do not open them even a crack. Life is hard enough without inviting the darkness in. Stay in the light of God's word, watch your speech and behavior, and pray away any dark influence on your life and the lives of others. 

How to Respond to Toxic People (God's Way) + LIVE Q&A

Toxic people are all around us-- at work, at church, in the places we go to relax, and among our friends and families. No one gets through life without saying, "Something is seriously off with her." 

Toxic people have a way of bringing out the worst in us, and eventually you will reach a point where you can't take anymore. 

Lies, manipulation, hostility, and gaslighting are the tactics of toxic people. They will always deflect any responsibility for their bad behavior onto you, in order to make you look like the problem. Toxic people are self-centered, insecure, and spiritually immature. They are hurting people who relieve their hurt by putting it on you. 

This excellent video offers biblical ways to manage your reactions to toxic people. The truth is that they don't care about you in any way. They don't care what you think or if you get hurt. If something about you does not line up with their motive or narrative, then a toxic person sees you as the enemy. And nothing you say or do can change their attitude. 

When someone has a proven track record of being hostile, self-centered, unreliable, manipulative, vindictive, controlling and defensive, you would be wise to consider the source when dealing with a toxic person. They will never see your side of any situation or care about your perspective. Their own wants and needs are the only thing that matters to them. 

When dealing with a toxic person, the battle does not belong to you. You are actually fighting against a demonic stronghold that has taken root within a person's heart. So let God deal with them. Know your triggers ahead of time, because a toxic person is a master at pushing your buttons. They will influence something that is already inside of you--a past hurt, a fear or an insecurity. 

Ask God to help you deal with any toxic person that you are forced to associate with. Allow moments of silence when you must talk to this person. Jesus said nothing to toxic people many times in the Bible. You might need to disconnect with a toxic person because they are negatively affecting you and infecting you. 

I have dealt with toxic people many times in my life. I wish that I had listened to this video forty years ago, but such things were not available then. Take the time to watch this. It greatly helped me. I feel better equipped to handle the next toxic person that walks into my path. I know more are coming.

How to Make Tough Decisions | Live Changed Podcast 009

I recently said that knowing which direction God wants me to take is confusing at times. Then today I came across this video.

How do we make tough decisions in life? How do we navigate 
God's guidance in those decisions? This video offers valuable advice on a topic that we all deal with. 

Life brings tough decisions in our relationships, finances, job, and location. Do you seek advice from people you trust--people who have had similar experiences and learned from it? 

Do you take the decision to God in prayer and wait for an answer. It's very easy to confuse God's will with your own will. God doesn't verbally speak to us, so how do we know what He is telling us? 

First we should look in the scriptures for any advice that speaks to our particular situation. Then we can seek godly council from other Christians who've had to make similar decisions. Holy Spirit speaks through community, through his body, the church. He also speaks through a prompting in your spirit. Do you have a personal conviction about this?

The decisions we make in life can bring prosperity. But a bad decision can be devastating to ourselves and our families. But God has a perfect will for our lives. And when we seek Him in prayer, He will let us know when we are stepping out of His will. And He will give us confirmation that we are aligned with His will.  

Come in at 4 minutes to skip the chit-chat intro.

THE DANGER WE IGNORE AS WE OPEN THE DOOR

Spiritual warfare is the fight to believe God's truths over the enemies lies. When you experience a cycle of negative thinking that plays over and over again in your mind, you are in spiritual bondage, which is also known as a demonic stronghold. And when you are spiritually bound, you are not living the Christian life. 

Many people believe that Christians cannot be attacked by evil spirits. Although the Bible is filled with examples of how evil spirits can affect people, many refuse to believe that these demonic powers operate today, and they refuse to believe that a Christian can be affected by them. 

The truth is that the demonic realm can and does attack Christians, and this is done through deception. You will not find a single scripture in the Bible that disproves what I am saying. You will actually find much scripture that supports what I'm saying. Christians have not been taught the truth during all those years they sat in church. 

An evil spirit will look for ways that you are most vulnerable to deception. Once you start to believe a lie from the enemy, then you are hooked. The enemy will use your negative circumstances to endorse his lies. 

Ninety-nine percent of demonic strongholds can be broken by knowing and believing the word of God. When you know God's word,  then the lies you are believing will be exposed. Then you can break the stronghold by transforming your mind. 

In this video, David Hernandez offers part one of a seminar on spiritual warfare. He defines what a demonic stronghold is. He talks about the ways that we open doors to the enemy and how these open doors wreak havoc in our lives. 

"When you participate in wicked things, you are doing things to your mind that you do not realize," Hernandez says. 

Is there a person in your life that has become a bad influence on you? 

1 Corinthians 15:33 tells us that bad company corrupts good character. When we conform to the bad habits of those we associate  with, we give the enemy an open door to operate in our lives. 

Are you allowing the things you look at to affect your mind?  Visualization is one of the most powerful forms of thought. The images you allow before your eyes can be imprinted on your mind.  Then the enemy takes sinful or distracting visuals and brings them to your memory when you are at a weak point. 

I have experienced demonic strongholds in my own life. This is why I am so passionate about sharing any good teaching on the subject. The chances are very good that you or someone you know will at some point be affected by a demonic stronghold. 

You would be very wise to learn all you can about this subject so you know how to recognize it and deal with it victoriously. You do have the spiritual authority to overcome any demonic attack. That authority was given to you by Jesus. 

"I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy." 

-Luke 10:19

That is Jesus talking. He said this before He ascended into Heaven. Why would Jesus tell us this if the demonic realm was of no threat to us?

Snakes and scorpions are representative of the dark demonic powers that seek to destroy you. If you don't know what you are dealing with, you cannot fight back. And that's the way the devil likes it. 

SILENCE DOESN'T FIX ANYTHING

By Danelle Carvell

                                      

Sometimes we need isolation and silence. And sometimes we don't 

 Sometimes it's very difficult to know what God wants you to do. We can pray for guidance, but figuring out which way he wants us to go is confusing at times. I have found myself confused lately by the direction God wants me to take. 

Yesterday was the first I posted anything since April. I believed that God was leading me into a time of rest in preparation for something bigger. I kept hearing confirmation that I should just rest from my blog posts and focus on prayer and reading His word.

Then yesterday I looked at my blog stats and saw that 10,000 people had viewed my posts within this month alone. That amount of page views in a couple weeks has never happened. I was shocked and didn't know what to do with this new turnaround.

My last attempt to post something on this blog back in April was stopped by a complete disappearance of all my hard work on the topic of people who claim that they've been to Heaven. I was fascinated by the similarities in their stories and I had spent hours on the piece before it disappeared from my screen. I took that as a final confirmation that I was supposed to step away from my keyboard. 

Today in my prayer devotional I read an entry titled, "The Power of Voice." It was today's reading in the  monthly devotional, Our Daily Bread. 

"We all possess the capacity to use our voice to inspire and help others," is what I read today. I was encouraged to trust God by saying and doing whatever He commands. And when I ask God how He wants to use me, He will equip me to carry out His purpose. And with His help, I can boldly use my voice to make a positive impact on those around me. 

So I guess I'm back from my time of rest. And from now on, I will be asking God what He wants me to say instead of deciding for myself what the next topic will be. I am constantly learning how I am supposed to follow Him. Maybe my time away from blogging was set aside for me as a time of learning. 

I have been learning about controlling my tongue. I have been learning to pray before confronting a situation. I have been learning about how wrong it is to make a judgment about a person or situation before knowing all the details. I have been learning about allowing people to have emotions and how sometimes people react to things because of a past hurt that resurfaced in that moment. 

I have been learning about the importance of communication, because if I don't communicate, then people don't understand my thinking in a situation. They don't understand why I responded that way. They don't understand why I was confused about something. They don't understand why a certain comment hit me so hard. They don't understand why a certain situation shook me to my core. 

Every experience I have ever had in life is walking around with me every day because I have memories. You have those same memories that influence the way you respond to people and situations. This is why we need to share what we are thinking when a problem arises. 

People who don't share their thinking during a conflict run the risk of being misunderstood. They run the risk of appearing cold and uncaring. They run the risk of a damaged relationship that could have easily been restored by communication. 

Words have so much power. And sometimes we fail to use our words to influence those around us for the better. We need to rely on God's strength and wisdom to speak up. Ask Him to put the right words into your mouth. Ask Him what to say in order to defuse a situation that has become stressful. 

God reminded me today that He wants me to use my voice to bring about positive change. What can you say today that could bring about a positive change in a broken relationship? What words could you say that would remove the tension from a stressful situation? 

The power of voice is the power of encouragement, inspiration, and restoration. The Bible tells us that death and life are in the power of our words. So speak life. Silence doesn't fix anything. 

LIFE MOVES BY YOUR THOUGHTS

Our lives always move in the direction of our strongest thoughts. This short video will help you to identify the negative thought patterns that play over and over in your head. We all have these negative thought loops of cynicism, negativity, absolute-ism, or victimhood. 

Our thoughts determine how we see ourselves and how we navigate our daily lives. A negative thought pattern can cause much damage if we don't learn how to move past it. God can change our thinking, but first we must make an effort to identify the problem and  then train ourselves to think differently. 

LCBC is our new church. We attended for the first time today in Elizabethville, PA. The church is located across the parking lot from McDonald's. I have never received such a warm welcome from any church, ever. People don't just say, Hello and walk away. They spend time getting to know you. 

Today's sermon was not the topic above, but it was equally as good. And if you miss any sermons, you can catch up on what you missed via You Tube. The sermons at LCBC give you tools to live successfully in your everyday life by teaching scripture you can apply to your daily challenges. This is what people are craving. It's what we desperately need from a church, because the world is becoming so stressful, and we really need help today. 

What are your negative recurring thoughts that replay in your head every day? Mine right now are trust issues. I'm keeping people at a distance because I don't trust them. But I'm learning to change my thought patterns so that I can focus on more positive things. And part of the process for me has been explaining to the people I love why I have been struggling so much lately. 

I want a clean slate. And sometimes you can't have a fresh start until you address the past hurts that you stuffed deep down within yourself. I found the courage to tell my children what I've been through in the past year, because I've learned that when I suffer emotionally, it will eventually affect them. We see each other often and I can't hide my mental and physical stress for long. 

For months, I've been wanting to write about the power of our thought life and how we don't have to be helpless victims of our negative thought loops. This video is better than anything I could have written. We have the power to change the things we think about and in the process we can change the way we see ourselves and the way we see other people and situations. 

Watch the video because we all have negative recurring thoughts and they are affecting your life in a negative way. God wants you to be set free so your joy can be complete. 

SOMEONE I CAN TRUST

By Danelle Carvell

                                                                                               

                                                    

There's a freedom in knowing who you can trust.

                                                                                                        

Trust is a big word. It's so big that only one big person can live up to it. The reason that trust is such a big word is because it has so many requirements. 

In order to trust someone, that person must display a proven and consistent track record of caring for you, protecting you, standing up for you, showing up for you, looking out for you, never betraying you, and always being honest.

Who do you know that has done that for you on a consistent basis? Without intending to offend anyone, I can't think of a single person who has done that for me. And I have not done that consistently for anyone either. 

Trust allows people in your life based on their character and reliability. Trust is having faith in another person and having the confidence in their ability to protect and care for you. We normally do not want to associate with people we do not trust.

So what is it about God that makes Him trustworthy? We only need to look as far as His promises to us in the Bible.

• God will never abandon you or betray you.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them. For the Lord, your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you."  Deuteronomy 31:6

God will never betray me. And He will never abandon me. He was always there, even when I didn't feel His presence. My distance from Him was always my own choice. When I felt lost or alone, it was not because God abandoned me, but because I rejected Him. 

The reason why I know that for sure is because I am no longer rejecting Him, and I see the huge difference it has made in my life. The concept of God always being there is not something you could truly understand unless you begin seeking Him daily.

Not a day goes by when I don't feel His presence. He's there each day because I open the door each day. Even God can't walk through a door you choose not to open. People who cry out to God only when they need something might have a hard time finding Him. 

Are you quick to run and help someone who rarely talks to you? Is it easy for you to find your way to a place where you have never been before? Why would you expect God to rescue you when you don't have time for Him until you are desperate and need help?

• God always empathizes with you and understands your pain.

"The righteous cry out and the Lord hears them. He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalms 34:17-18

How many times have you been disappointed because someone that you thought loved you did not care when you got hurt? Maybe they didn't respond to your hurt in the way that you expected. Or maybe they made excuses for the people who hurt you. Maybe they failed to validate your feelings. Maybe they responded in a way that suggested you were the one who was wrong. 

Human empathy has many flaws. But God's empathy is always perfect and always comforting. But in order to feel that comfort, you must spend time with Him. Read His word. Worship Him until the tears flow because you probably need that release. And pray for your heart and mind to be filled with His peace. 

• God always lifts you up and encourages you.

"God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."   1 Peter 5: 5-7

Do you find people to be naturally encouraging? Do you come home from a gathering with stories about how this person encouraged you and that person said such kind words to you? I don't. 

I could put together a list of times when I found people to be discouraging in the past year alone. People are not kind and encouraging by nature. Even those who attend church regularly can have a mean spirit that's obviously displayed in the things they say and do. 

But God will never treat you disrespectfully. Why would He? Do you treat the things that you create with disrespect? 

Before you were born, God knew your name. He knows exactly how many hairs are on your head at every moment. My hair has been thinning since Covid, and I'm sure God noticed that. 

He cares about every detail of your life and He wants to be your source of encouragement in a world that can crush your spirit with its cruelty. No one else can lift you up like God can, so don't depend on anyone else to cheer you on. 

• God never lies and he's always discreet.

"As for God, His way is perfect. The Lord's word is flawless. He shields all who take refuge in Him." Psalm 18:30

One of the fastest ways to destroy someone's trust is to lie. Honesty and trust are impossible to separate. God simply is not capable of lying because His flawless holiness makes any type of sin impossible. 

God also has perfect discretion. He repays everyone fairly. And he gets no pleasure from exposing your mistakes. God has divine discernment about everything you say and do, and He always makes the right call about your behavior. 

Unlike people, God is very good at maintaining silence when your conduct is of a delicate nature. He finds no satisfaction in gossip. You can tell Him anything and know that it will go no further. 

You don't have to worry about God hanging up all your dirty laundry for others to see if you have truly repented of your actions. But he has been known to expose the wrongs of those who refuse to turn from their wicked ways. His justice is always fair. 

• God always offers hope.

"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

I find it hard to understand where people get their hope if not from God. What keeps them going? What gives them hope for the future when everything is falling apart? How do they get through even a single day?

I am in the middle of a storm right now. I call it a storm because I choose not to share the details. But although this storm seems to have no resolution, I know that God is working on my behalf. I trust that I will see light break through the clouds at some point and I will again feel warmth in areas where I now feel pounded by hailstones. 

God's desire is that I will prosper, be in good health and be joyful. That does not mean I will not have to pass through some valleys along the way. But I know from experience that God walks with me, and all I need to do is stay close and He will lead me out of every one of life's storms. He has done this again and again. He has a proven track record of being someone I can trust. 

TROUBLING TIMES DESTROY RELATIONSHIPS

 By Danelle Carvell

                                                    

We are living in challenging times that are destroying relationships.

I have days when I feel consumed with troubling thoughts. The same concerns play over and over in my head until I want to take my head off and give myself a break. The real solution to this problem is not taking my head off, but taking my concerns to God in prayer. 

My latest book purchase has been such a blessing to me. I haven't seen anything like it when it comes to prayer books because of the way it is organized according to specific life problems. Today I was drawn to the chapter on relational conflicts. And after saying the prayers, I'm feeling that peace the Bible talks about that awaits those who seek God and spend time in prayer. 

I know that many people right now are having conflicts within their relationships. Life is difficult because of financial pressures and the chaotic things that are happening in our world. Feeling optimistic about the future is challenging when so many things appear to be hopeless. And this tension causes our relationships to suffer. 

But God is the only one who can change people, and this has been a hard lesson for me to learn lately. I can voice my opinion when I sense problems among people, but those problems cannot be resolved by my words. Prayer is the only thing that will bring resolution and restored relationships. 

The first thing I need when a problem arises is the ability to judge that problem correctly. A good starter prayer when you begin to sense a relational conflict is this:

"Help me to see beyond appearances, Lord. Stop me when I start presuming to understand when there may be things I don't see or comprehend. Give me a heart of wisdom to respond rightly and assume the best and not the worst."

The above prayer is on page 143 of Wanda Alger's book, and every prayer I put in quotation marks is also from her book. A clear and true perspective of the problem is important so we know how to pray about it and so we don't falsely assume and wrongly accuse. We should also ask the Lord to expose sins or strongholds in our own life that is blinding us to the truth. 

A second thing you should consider when a conflict arises is any part you might have played in the problem. Sometimes fights and quarrels with people are the result of our own desires that battle within ourselves. We are warned of this in James 4:1 

"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?"

And sometimes you might take things the wrong way and harbor offense about an insult that wasn't intended as such. In order to have a clear conscience and cleanse your heart and mind, you should pray for a renewed desire to walk in purity of heart and integrity towards others:

"Holy Spirit, show me if there is anything in my own heart that is causing offense or bitterness... I repent of any jealousy and covetousness that is stirring up my frustration...I choose to walk in the spirit and not according to my flesh."

Once you have reached the point where you know the problem is exactly as it appears and it has not been caused by anything within yourself, then you are free to express your concerns. But even here you need to be very careful, because this is where most people really mess up in my opinion. This is where I mess up myself.

When someone pushes my buttons, my first instinct is not to offer a soft, gentle answer as I smile and graciously suggest a peaceful resolution. I don't know anyone who does that, but that is what I should strive for:

"Give me the right words to say to diffuse any anger and hostility in this conflict. May we seek peace in resolving the issues and relate in a way that invites your presence and power, bringing us through in unity." 

When we feel attacked, words like patience, kindness and self-control are far from our minds. We want to prove our point and defend ourselves. We want to list the wrongs that were done to us and tell all our friends about it. We don't want to respect the thoughts and ideas of our offenders, and we don't care about their perspective on what happened. 

Proverbs 16:7 says, When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone's ways, He causes their enemies to make peace with them. 

I should strive to respond to conflict in a way that is pleasing to God, so that even those who oppose me will desire peace. God understands righteous anger. Even Jesus displayed anger. But we can't stay angry. And we have to be good listeners, willing to hear the other side before interrupting them and shutting them down. 

If ever there is a time for unconditional love, it is when you are at the receiving end of being torn apart by people:

"Keep me close to your heart so that I will act with love, compassion and forbearance. Especially for those who attack me, may your favor and blessing rest upon me with such power and protection, it stops the attacks and dissolves the conflict altogether." 

So after we have expressed our hurts and patiently listened to the offender's side of the conflict, what is the next step? This is where we need to maintain the right attitude because conflicts can take time to be resolved and sometimes they are not resolved. We must walk through the conflict with a right heart and a right spirit toward those we disagreed with. 

Ephesians 4:31 is a good scripture to focus on, and the prayer in Alger's book is this:

Lord, forgive me for any bitterness or anger against my brother or sister. I choose to forgive them for any offense and release them to you. I know you will honor my obedience and intervene on my behalf. Show me how to move forward with kindness and compassion so that you can resolve our conflicts in a godly way."

Sometimes we want to prove our point and defend our case more than we want to bring resolution. "We should strive to respond to conflict in a way that closes the door to the enemy and opens the way for God to bring clarity out of the chaos," Alger said. And sometimes the best way to do that is to walk away:

"Show me if and when it is time to walk away from a disagreement in order to maintain peace." 

For those who feel the need to seek advice about relational conflicts as they are waiting for a resolution, the Bible offers much wisdom. We can share our disputes with others if those people love the Lord:

"Father, help me to take my issues with another brother or sister to proper spiritual insight. I desire to seek your counsel and the wisdom from fellow believers first and foremost. Guide my pastors and church leaders in helping me resolve the issues so we can invite the power of your spirit to bring peace and unity."

We cannot be totally clean before God if we are in conflict with someone else. We should pray for a heart that seeks peace more than retribution. We should pray for help in going directly to those who have hurt us when that is possible. And we should pray that everyone involved will have a heart of compassion towards one another and pursue peace and restoration for the sake of all. 

I find myself lately needing to clean up my act and get closer to God, and it's hard for me to remember that I can't force others to do the same. I need to refrain from lecturing and let God work on them. But I know there are times when God chooses to speak through me in order to guide others in His direction. I can only pray for the wisdom to discern when to keep my mouth shut and when to speak.

Only God can change a heart. And that is why we pray for changed hearts and restored relationships. And as we are obedient, He is faithful to exalt us. 

"Lord, Remind me that my prayers will be hindered if my heart harbors resentment or unforgiveness towards another...Remind me of the blessings that come from resolving conflicts your way."

 

A POWERFUL WOMAN IN GOD'S EYES

Our culture tells women to be powerful and not needy. We feel pressure to solve problems without needing anyone. We are told that we should not feel discouraged, disappointed, sad or angry. But that pressure to have it all together does not come from the Lord. 

Lately I am allowing myself to feel emotions that people tell me I should not feel. I am allowing myself to be vulnerable. Allowing myself to cry. Allowing myself to feel weak. Allowing myself to be honest with no regrets. 

I am learning that there is power in yielding, submission and surrender because my own way of controlling things is not power at all if it's not pleasing God. Letting go and giving God control is where my power lies. I can offer my opinion about the wrongs in this world, but I cannot change people or fix their messes.  

The pressure we feel to fix things in our own strength causes anxiety, shame, and an endless cycle of troubling thoughts. But we don't need to be on top of everything all the time. We shouldn't be ripping ourselves apart because we don't have it all together. 

God is there in our places of anger, shame and fear. He is waiting for us in all our messy places. He invites us to sit down and be honest with Him. God loves when we are needy with Him. Jesus can walk with us through every difficulty if only we would invite Him.

I invite you to watch this powerful conversation between four women who lay their hearts bare and share all the struggles they face in a world where women have a tremendous amount of pressure on them.

Women hide the most from other women. We hate looking weak or inadequate to other women. 

When we become so spiritually mature that we can be honest about our shortcomings and the places where we feel inadequate, there is a comfort and a freedom in that. A powerful woman produces fruit in her life, and she can't produce fruit when she hides her problems from God and from trustworthy friends. 

We all long for a support system, and life can be very lonely when we reject intimacy with God and don't talk to anyone about the things we are going through. 

WILL YOU REGRET WHAT YOU TREASURED?

 By Danelle Carvell

                                                

We store up treasures in many ways. We even put them on display. But the most important and most lasting thing about treasure is where you store it.

The Bible is filled with symbolism and words that have a much deeper meaning than what we first comprehend. Sometimes we have to dig deeper to learn the true meaning of a scripture. 

For example, Matthew 6:20 says, "But store up your treasures in Heaven, where moth, rust and vermin do not destroy and thieves do not break in and steal." 

When most people hear the word "treasure" they instantly think about something that is worth money. So they assume that storing up treasure on earth would mean doing things that build wealth. But there is a deeper meaning to the word treasure.  A treasure is not just about money and wealth. 

The biblical meaning of treasure is anything that you value; precious things that are important to you; even treasured thoughts that are stored up in your heart and mind. 

So what are some ways that we store up treasures on Earth rather than storing up treasures in Heaven? I've been asking for examples so I can write this post. I will start with the examples that I was led to today. 

• When your to-do list becomes an idol that directs your life 

A better way to live each day is to ask Holy Spirit to guide you moment by moment. A successful day is not accomplishing everything on your list. A successful day is one in which you have stayed in touch with God and talked to him about every aspect of your day. Even if things remain undone at the end of the day, you can feel good about what you accomplished because you surrendered the day to Him. 

When we plow through the day looking to our own ideas and preferences instead of asking God for guidance, we store up treasures on Earth. When we are too focused on checking off a to-do list, we miss things and people that God wants us to pay attention to that day.

We must allow for interruptions in each day. Because that interruption could be a divine appointment that he wants you to keep. Don't be so driven that your only goal is to accomplish the task at hand. Ask God to take charge and then welcome any surprises he brings, even the unpleasant ones. 

• Judging a situation based merely on your own perceptions.

My husband gave me this example this morning. He said that from now on he is going to stop coming to his own conclusions about people and situations. Instead he is going to take everything to the Lord and ask what is true, and good, and right from God's perspective. By doing this, we become more aligned with His will and His plans for us. 

The Lord told Samuel not to look at appearances or stature. "Man does not see what the Lord sees, for man sees what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

How often do we judge others based only on appearances. We need to pray for a discerning heart so we can rightly understand situations and people from a heavenly perspective. Discernment is one of the greatest assets we can have. The treasure of a discerning heart can be used for good and for nurturing the well-being of others. 

Almost anything we do that is not obedient to God's word can be used as an example of storing up treasures on Earth. When we don't navigate life from an eternal perspective, we get our priorities messed up. Being prideful, arrogant, overbearing, conceited or domineering is another example. God tells us to humble ourselves and then He will exalt us. 

My last example of storing up treasures on Earth instead of Heaven is:

•  The way we spend our time. 

Since Covid, I have become more aware of how valuable time is and how important it is for me to spend my time wisely. Being locked down for months made all of us realize how many hours there are in each day. Are we using those hours selfishly or are we loving God and people with the time that we have?

 I still have a long way to go, but I am training myself to ask God where he wants me to spend time each day. I'm trying to spend less time on social media and in front of the TV. Most of my TV-viewing these days is not Hallmark anymore. That used to be my go-to channel, but now I'm listening to prophets and teachers who are helping me to understand the times and seasons we are living in. 

What I want from television now is not just entertainment. I want to learn something that will change me. I want to be inspired to share things that will stir a greater love for each other and a heart for seeking God. Because living from an eternal perspective means living for more than just yourself. And that is a good place to end this post. 

Are you thinking about yourself and your own ideas and your own wants most of the time? Or are you storing up treasures in Heaven by asking God what He wants you to think about and do each day? Are your words and actions merely pleasing yourself or are they pleasing God? 

Where is your treasure being stored? And will you have regrets when your time here has passed? Because you can't come back and fix it once you're gone. 

FESS UP TO YOUR MESS UP

By Danelle Carvell

                                                    
                                                    

Sometimes the only way to get the people we love back into our lives is to fess up and apologize.

I wrote a post last summer titled, We all Have Big Mouth Moments. The last sentence in that post was..."Sometimes the best response to someone's big mouth is to extend grace and let it pass, because we all have big mouth moments." 

I've had it on the back burner to write a part 2 to that post because there are times when we should not overlook a person's words or actions. Sometimes the right thing to do is to call out the bad behavior and to stand your ground in doing so. 

What actually inspired me to write that post last summer was my own big mouth moment, and it was so bad that I hate to bring it up again. I wrote the post to inspire forgiveness when people mess up with their words. But I knew that my big mouth moment could not be swept under the rug. What came out of my mouth was not a misunderstanding or a slip of the tongue. It was a major mistake that was extremely hurtful. And I knew I had to face the music. 

We live in a culture that has become very good at making excuses for bad behavior. People don't want to admit their mistakes and they are too easily given a pass by a society that no longer acknowledges what's right and wrong. If you do have the courage to call someone out, you will most likely be met with opposition because no one wants to rock the boat today and no one wants to confront a bully. 

There's nothing wrong with wanting to think the best of people and wanting to look for possible reasons why they act the way they do. It's wise to give people the benefit of the doubt. But even if someone is under stress mentally, physically or emotionally, that is not an excuse to mistreat people. Their own personal stresses do not give people the right to be hostile to others. 

I recently had to apologize to someone for the way I spoke to him during a very stressful situation. I was at my wits end with worrying about someone's well-being. I was being pumped full of worst case scenarios if I didn't handle the situation properly. And I was severely lacking sleep. So I snapped.

It took me a while to realize that what I needed to do was admit that I messed up and offer a real apology. And that is what finally brought healing and forgiveness. If I had ignored the whole thing or offered some dumb excuse without an apology, then I would not have received forgiveness and restored the relationship. 

Why is it so hard for us to admit our mistakes? Why is it so hard to say, "That was wrong. I should not have done that. I'm sorry" How many relationships could be restored if we could just humble ourselves and fess up to our mess ups? 

THE PERKS OF LIVING BY FAITH (part 2)

                                        

I believe that faith brought these two together. And they are perfect for each other. The people God brings into your life is one of the perks of living by faith. 

                                    

As I sit down to write this, the topic feels overwhelming because there is so much to say. My faith has grown in the past few years because my life has changed since Covid. After being fired from my job at the library in Lykens for refusing to wear a mask, my husband suggested that I retire. 

The whole Covid thing led me to seek God more than ever before, partially because I was seeking truth, and truth will always lead you to God. I also had more time to spend reading the Bible and in prayer. Getting close to God takes time, and I think that is why many people put Him on a shelf and don't develop the relationship with Jesus that would transform their lives.

Living by faith is a way of life that creates your best possible life. My last post explained the major reasons why we should live by faith. In this post I will focus on the rewards of living by faith. 

Faith gives you peace. And everyone wants peace. The world is a chaotic place filled with people who will stress you out. If I didn't have my faith, I would certainly look for other ways to cope with the stress of this world because the past three years have brought an incredible amount of mental, physical and emotional stress. 

I know people who fill the void in their lives with unhealthy comforts. They are false comforts that actually do more damage than good. They seem to help, but the comfort they bring is short-lived. And relying on these false comforts for a long period of time can do damage to their brains and their bodies. It can also damage their relationships. 

I have seen people do major damage to their relationships because they rely on false comforts instead of taking their problems to God and trusting Him to bring answers and much-needed relief. God recently showed me that I was relying on a false comfort a little too much. And I had to make some changes.

So one of the perks of living by faith is the fact that the closer you are to God, the more he speaks to you, the more he guides you, and the more he blesses you. God wants you to live your best life, but you can't create your best life without Him. 

God gives us a power that we simply do not have alone. Since I've grown closer to God and my faith has increased, I find that I don't have to try so hard. All I have to do now is allow the power of God to enable me to do the things he calls me to do. 

I expect to be inspired each day. That inspiration helps me to write. It helps me to find the answers I need when I have a problem. It gives me the ideas I need when I'm being creative. I walk into a room and I expect God's favor to be there. How many times has he seated me beside just the right person when I walked into a room full of strangers? 

The perks of living by faith are too many to count. Life becomes an adventure. And part of that adventure is watching yourself change. I find myself having better instincts because I'm guided by the Holy Spirit. I sense things that other people don't sense. I see serious wrongs that other people toss off as no big deal. I'm able to avoid people and places that are not good for me. In my younger days, I didn't have that Holy-Spirit-led discernment, so my bad decisions brought me one heartache after another. 

Living by faith gives you a spirit of truth that guides you into all truth. You will have an inward conviction (a gut feeling) about everything and everyone you encounter. You will walk into a room and get a bad feeling if something bad is about to happen. You will sense that a certain movie is not something you or your children should be watching. It's like walking around with spiritual radar that can detect everything and everyone that's harmful.

God's protection is upon those who seek Him. And those who delight in Him are given the desires of their hearts. The blessings of living by faith become more evident to me each day. 

I recently was offered a free vacation at a time when I desperately needed to get away. I didn't even have to drive there. I just sat in the passenger seat and ate nuts. When we got there, we couldn't get into our room because the office door was locked. It was a time share motel and our key had been locked in an outdoor vault. We did not know the lock combination. 

Within minutes of our realizing the bad situation we were in because we were cold and tired, two people called to us from the street and asked if we needed help. This couple came up the elevator and walked over to the lock box, punched in a combination of numbers and inside was an envelope with my friend's name on it and the key to our room. I asked them if they have wings because I knew they were sent there to help us. 

Life is just so much better and so much easier when you live by faith. I've been given an amazing talent and the ability to share my stories so I can encourage people. I believe that God wanted me to retire because He had other plans for me. And I know those plans involve much more than writing. I will soon step into something bigger. I know that because I have a gut feeling that my life is about to change, probably some time this year.

Getting close to God has made me less selfish. I find myself with more empathy for people. I have a greater desire to serve others and to offer my time and attention when someone needs help. I have an easier time apologizing when I need to. I've learned that a good way to determine someone's faith and closeness to God is to look at how easily they can offer a real apology. 

Living by faith allows you to read people and situations with divine accuracy. Faith brings divine appointments with people who can help you. Getting close to God makes you the best person you can be. And your goodness will attract the best people. Those people become your friends or maybe your spouse. Faith moves the mountains in your life and brings you peace. Faith brings health and blessings. 

So why would anyone want to live without faith? From what I see, the people living without faith are prideful and stubborn. They think that they can handle life without God. Or they see faith as a weakness. But everyone I know who rejects God has a very messy life. They encounter one problem after another. They have no peace. And their lives appear to be void of blessings. I have yet to see a faithless person who is truly happy. Instead they seem lost, lonely and lifeless. 

I was once a person who did not live by faith, so I am qualified to attest to the difference faith makes. One thing I know...I will never go back to that discontent way of life. A life without faith is not really living at all.