365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 164

I have to confess, I am not a crowd kind of person. It could be because of my audiotory issues and trying to have conversations with so much other noise going around is very challenging. I did my best at the kick-off yesterday at the Church of All Nations and I am trusting God will lead the women he wants to bring to this bible study at this time. I think my biggest revelation was just how out-of-shape I am. Standing for any length of time had my back muscles hurting. So the morning was good but exhausting. I drove home with the radio off, got a movie moving going on the TV, crawled into bed and proceeded to miss most of the movie because I fell asleep. Since I was at the church all morning, I went in and listenend to both sermons. It was interesting to hear the pastor talk about a different story than in the first sermon that still made his point. The one story he did tell in both sermons was about how he learned how to temper steel. He made something out of steel and thought it was finished but was told by the teacher that it needed to be tempered. Steel before it is tempered is very brittle. To temper it you have to put it to two extremes over and over again. It is dipped in something hot and than is shocked by dipping it into cold oil. Like the Lord does with us, we are be tempered. When the steel is finally tempered enough, it is so strong it can cut other steel. The Lord is pouring steel into us and we are being tempered through our extremes, our trials and tribulation. In the end, God is making us stronger and more equipped to do his will. So, when those extremes of life hit you, look to the Lord and know that he is making you stronger and preparing you.
Phillipians 4:13 I can do everything through him who give me strength.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 99

Ever feel like someone is trying to keep you from doing what you are supposed to do? I have been getting that sense a lot lately with all that has been dumped on me. It seems like when one body part that's been hurting starts getting better another starts hurting. I discussed this a bit at my mastermind group as we talked about any obstacles that are getting in our way. I know the devil is working overtime to stop me from moving forward with this ministry. And when you are really trying hard to work for the Lord, the devil does that much more to you. Having an awareness of this is probably the most powerful piece to keeping my sanity at this point. My Lord can give me all the strength, peace and resilience that I need but I have to be continually asking for it and putting my focus onto God. It's tough to do when you have too many phone calls to return, emails to go through, answers to find, training others to help you and keep it all organized and keep them prioritized. Ugh. It a giant juggling act and things are going to fall to the ground but I have to keep my focus on God and let his strength and peace fill me so I can be the best juggler I can be. Do you feel pulled at both ends? Open your bible and find the strength and peace to endure.
Phillipians 4:13 I can do everything through him who give me strength.
Phillipians