Hold Your Peace - Summer Break pt. 6
Do you feel like you are living a busy, busy life? Running here, running there, running, running, everywhere!We continue our mini series on learning to shift our thoughts, our way of thinking - to the way of God’s Kingdom way of thinking, through discovery of a few simple tweaks we can make. In this mini series, we continue looking at the story of Moses and how the Isrealites took decades to enter God’s promised land but their attitude left them wandering in the wilderness for decades. Let’s not get lost in the chaos and confusion of a bad day, situations we can’t control and circumstances that may not be all that easy to go through. We can’t run from them, but God can give us the strength and grace to get through. And that is what He was trying to give to Diana and to the Israelites and, with just a shift, we can empower ourselves to have better days! So, are you ready? Let’s dive in.
Diana’s Notes
Shifting Our Focus For Better Empowerment-Through Holding Our Peace and Remaining at Rest
Welcome to the summer series of Heartfelt Conversations with Diana! For anyone just joining us, I am your host, Diana.`
I hope everyone has been having a fantastic summer so far. I am not sure about anyone else, but life seems to be traveling at warp speed! A whole week passes by, and my brain is like, uh - wait- isn’t it only Tuesday??! LOL
Anyone feeling hurried- rushed- BUSY!
For years I lived a busy, busy life. Running here, running there, running, running, everywhere!
I was SOOO busy running through life that I didn’t notice I was running my life right off the tracks, like a run-a-way freight train!!!
It is so easy to fall into the trap - the rut - of a life too busy to notice the things that really matter. People. Family. Community. Each Other.
We are so busy anymore that it’s hard to even sit down and just have a meal together. One way to strengthen our homes, our families, especially if there are kids in the home, is to have a meal together. Break bread. Fellowship. That is what chatting around a meal will do. Develop fellowship and fellowship strengthens our relationships.
For years I have had a prayer, a mother’s desire, to have all of my kids get together and their kids and just enjoy being a family together. To actually have fellowship together, time together, time to enjoy my family. And I was blessed this summer to actually have my prayer answered and recently enjoyed a short - but
But a beautiful time with my kiddos and their kiddos. My heart is full and very grateful! God is good!!!!
I wasn’t my best self when my kids needed me to be. I loved each one of them very much! STILL DO! LOL - And I hope and pray that they all knew that- knew how much i loved them while they were growing up! But I failed each one differently, wounded each one differently; but the biggest impact on their lives - the biggest way I failed them growing up was by not having a bold, spirit-led, faith-filled, stab;e, solid, intimate, surrendered life in Christ. I did not live out what I said I believed and that is confusing to anyone, let alone kids. I preached one thing and at times practiced, did, another. I was weak in my character because I was always trying to be everything to everyone - when we live to always please people, pretty soon, we don’t even know who we are anymore, especially if we don’t know who we are at our core. Our values, our beliefs. Our moral compass. We will always face challenges, situations, people from a posture of fear, stress, anxiety when we refuse to trust God. Trust in God - Who can- Who will. When we are weak, He is strong - but if we don’t know Him, we can’t trust Him and if we can’t trust Him then we will never have enough courage to let go and let God. When our fear is at it’s greatest, a itty, bitty, small step of faith towards God is more than enough to conquer, overcome, and eventually overthrow our fear.
2 Corinthians 12:10 in the AMP Bible says:
So, I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distress, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ, for when I am weak (in human strength), then I am strong (truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength.)
Why would I ever want to face this world thinking I am in control of anything?
When all I have to do is be humble enough to ask God for help. And then what? I am no longer drawing from my human strength to get through something - instead, I allow God to show me the way as I lean on His strength - His Sovereign, Mighty Power)
We can get through ANYTHING, if we truly believe God has our back! He Is for Us! He is NOT against us. But He will not force us to follow Him.
That is the kind of journey that God wants each of us to begin with Him. Our own Faith Walk. And as we begin with very weak, unsturdy, wobbly steps forward - God will show up. Our faith will be fed and our spirit watered and we will gain strength, confidence, boldness to take the next step, and then the next step, and the cycle just keeps repeating itself as we walk in faith. Unless we get lazy, take a little nap, settle in a bad place for a few decades. That's what I did! But the point is - wherever you are at, if you have never stepped out in faith to begin a relationship with Jesus - then move them wobbly little legs one little step forward and begin your journey of salvation - Just begin
If you know God, gave your life to Jesus but somewhere along the way you got beat up by life, you got lost, here is a word for you - you have permission to quit beating yourself up or trying to fix everything first and just step out in faith and fix your eyes on Jesus.
God had a Rescue Plan for His people and He sent Moses to lead His people out of Egypt. What happened? They grumbled - and God answered. And they grumbled again, and God answered.
Has anyone ever worked with the public? Customer Service, Sales, Retail, Restaurants?? I have worked in all of them and as much as you try your best to be pleasant, sometimes….After a few rude remarks and constant complaining - You are ready to give a little taste back/
We don’t like complaining and God certainly doesn’t
Exodus 14:8-14
The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he pursued the Israelites, as they were leaving confidently and defiantly. The Egyptians chased them with all the horses and war-chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and they overtook them as they camped by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.
As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and saw the Egyptians marching after them, and they were very frightened; so the Israelites cried out to the LORD. Then they said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What is this that you have done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Did we not say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians?’ For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians [as slaves] than to die in the wilderness.”
Then Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid! Take your stand [be firm and confident and undismayed] and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for those Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see again.
The LORD will fight for you , and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest.”
Don’t be like me. Don’t be like the Isrealites, so consumed, so focused on the past. What you used to have, what you should have, what you need to have. Don’t be so distracted looking back that you miss God’s signs for your future - Better Roads, Better Conditions Ahead! LOL
Let me encourage you to find out for yourself personally WHO GOD IS - WHO JESUS CAME FOR - Why we must be fully surrendered to be fully free.
Don’t let this world define God to you - define Jesus to you. SEEK Him for yourself, and you WILL find Him!
Do like Isaiah tells us
Isaiah 60:1:
ARISE, SHINE< for the light of your salvation has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you!
BE HAPPY!!! ARISE!! WAKE UP!! SEIZE THE DAY!!
This week, let’s let the LORD fight for us.
Everytime we become flustered, frustrated, hot-headed, pulling our hair out and ready to tell some- one what they can do with some -thing - BEFORE we get there!
Let is SHIFT our thoughts to EXODUS 14:14
The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest.
Hold your peace by giving everything that you have no power to change, over to God! LET IT GO!
Say, “I can’t, but God, You can do ALL things. Instead, I’m gonna let go and let God and be happy, smile at everyone! LOL THEN - I will remain at rest
And when I am at rest - I am not stressed
The measure that we apply to seek after Him is the same measure He reveals Himself to us. (Partnership - Relationship)
So, Shift your mind from not believing you can do this - to knowing in Christ you can do all things, and you have a Spirit-empowered life with our foundation verse
Romans 8:11 is going to be a foundational verse because we need to know, WE CAN! We can do “it” whatever “it” is!
Everytime you think you can’t relax and remember your Helper is with you to strengthen you supernaturally.
If you have received Jesus as your Savior this is a part of that gift, another gift, a Helper, A supernatural Helper
Romans 8:11
The Spirit of God, Who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, He will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living in you. “
Let’s focus our hearts and minds on TRUSTING GOD, Holding our Peace and Remaining at Rest!
Enjoy this amazing life and summer!
May God strengthen you, help you, and uphold you with His righteous right hand!
God Bless! And see you next week!
Songs to inspire you
Crowder - Grave Robber (Music Video)
Crowder - Higher Power (feat. Hulvey) (Lyric Video)
Scriptures from this week's Podcast
2 Corinthians 12:10 in the AMP Bible says:
So, I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distress, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ, for when I am weak (in human strength), then I am strong (truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength.)
Exodus 14:8-14
The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he pursued the Israelites, as they were leaving confidently and defiantly. The Egyptians chased them with all the horses and war-chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and they overtook them as they camped by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.
As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and saw the Egyptians marching after them, and they were very frightened; so the Israelites cried out to the LORD. Then they said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What is this that you have done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Did we not say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians?’ For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians [as slaves] than to die in the wilderness.”
Then Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid! Take your stand [be firm and confident and undismayed] and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for those Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see again.
The LORD will fight for you , and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest.”
Isaiah 60:1
ARISE, SHINE, for the light of your salvation has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you!
EXODUS 14:14
The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest. In Christ you have the same power living in you that rose Jesus from the grave! How amazing is that child of God!
Romans 8:11
The Spirit of God, Who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Chrisr Jesus from the dead, He will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living in you. “
Additional Resources
Prayer of Salvation
Jesus has given salvation, healing, and countless benefits to all who call upon His name. These benefits can be yours if you receive Him into your heart by saying this prayer:
Heavenly Father, I come to You admitting that I am a sinner. Right now, I choose to turn away from sin, and I ask You to cleanse me of all unrighteousness. I believe that Jesus rose again from the dead so that I may be justified and made righteous through faith in Him. I call upon the name of Jesus Christ to be the Savior and Lord of my life. Jesus, I choose to follow You, and I ask that You fill me with the power of the Holy Spirit. I declare right now that I am a born again, child of God. I am free from sin and full of the righteousness of God. I am saved in Jesus’ name. Amen.
This prayer and the comment above, were taken out of the book:
Secrets to Powerful Prayer - Discovering the Languages of the Heart
By Lynne Hammond and Patsy Cameneti
If you have just received Jesus as your Savior, please write Lynne Hammond Ministries at:
PO Box 29469
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55429-2946
Or, email one of the ministries listed on the Additional Resources Tab and let them know that you are a brand new christian and need some direction on the next steps for your new life in Christ.
Or email us here at Heartfelt Conversations with Diana and we will pass along your information for you.
Congratulations if you are a brand new Christian or if you have Returned Home! Welcome!!! Get in God’s Word and get it into you!
Diana’s Home Church:
Valley Family Church - Pastor’s Eric and Alexa Jones
www.valleyfamilychurch.org
Other recommended Jesus-centered churches who teach the True Word of God:
Elevation Church - Steven Furtick
https://elevationchurch.org/
Joseph Prince Ministries - Joseph Prince
https://www.josephprince.org/
Joyce Meyer Ministries
https://joycemeyer.org/