Shifting Our Focus for Better Empowerment - pt. 1
This is part one of a 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 will be 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. But with just a shift, we can empower ourselves to have better days! So, are you ready? Let’s dive in.
Diana’s Notes
Welcome to the summer series of Heartfelt Conversations with Diana!
I had not intended to go this route, but I am thinking we may have a 2-3 part mini series over the next couple of episodes.
I don’t know about anyone else, but I kinda feel like I have been in a funk for a while and I just haven’t been able to identify what it is so I decided to ask the Holy Spirit to empower me to push through whatever it is that has been kinda bummed out, but for no real reason. Just kinda eegh inside.
I am still pushing through it, but I can sense the end of the tunnel. Daylight is coming!
And the Holy Spirit has been nudging me to remember a few things that help lift me up out of the loom and gloom and I thought I would share these with you. In case anyone else could benefit from what has been helping me.
There is a very familiar part of history in the bible that recounts the time when God called on Moses to rescue His people from captivity under the Egyptians.
Exodus 6:6-8 in the New Living Translation tells us that God speaks to Moses regarding this “rescue”.
“Therefore, say to the people of Israel: ‘I AM the LORD. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt.
I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment.
I will claim you as MY Own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I AM the LORD your God Who has freed you from your oppression in Egypt.
I will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as your very own possession. I AM the LORD!
Many decades ago- well 1956 I believe- there was a movie made called the Ten Commandments starring Charlton Heston. The movie tells of Moses’ life and how God spared Moses as a baby and in the movie was a really famous scene where Moses is holding up the Ten Commandments, thus the title of the movie. LOL
Anyway, God knew that the baby boy would one day be the man that would rescue His people out of Egypt and out of slavery.
The Israelites were brought out of slavery physically, but mentally they remained in chains. They were not being forced to do physical labor but yet they were still in bondage. It can be hard, scary stressful to make a change of any kind. Back in the day, changing my toothpaste could stress me out! Let alone be removed from my dungy, dirty, stinky, foodless, hut and tell me to hoof it to the promised land and I might not be too excited either But, I think, that may just be part of the problem. 🙂
Any variance in our lives can feel more disruptive than it really is. My mom cracks me up, she used to tell me and my sisters all of the time - “my routine is all messed up, that’s why I can’t think, that’s why I am flustered. “ And I would be like, momm( on the inside of course!)
But I laugh at myself, because at times, I can find myself being just like her! LOL!!!!
The Israelites I am sure did not enjoy being slaves but after hundreds of years of captivity - it was all they knew from generation to generation. And then one day, it happens! Their cries, and groans, and prayers have been answered and they step out of slavery.
They witnessed all of the plagues that came down on the Egyptians by God’s strong arm and not touch them. They saw miraculous - supernatural events, and still complained and grumbled, against Moses and against God.
I have to laugh at myself sometimes and the things that I grumble about. I grumble about the neighbor who leaves their garbage can out on the curb 2 or 3 days past when the garbage was picked up and I act like it is a personal violation against me! LOL
Or what about the dude who crosses over three lanes of highway traffic just to cut you off and you have to slam on your breaks and your coffee goes spilling everywhere because the jerk didn’t care about risking your life to catch his exit. There are 1,000 things a day that we can find to grumble and complain about. But how much more do we have to be thankful for, that I have to be thankful for? Rather than filling my heart tank up with negative thoughts, I should have been thanking God for His protection (which is what I do now). He sees our beginning from end, like baby Moses and He already knew that vehicle was coming and He has given us angels to protect us. Thank YOU God for Your angels and for Your Strong Arm of Protection!
Psalm 91:11
“For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways”
We are going to do a little mini series on shifting our focus for better empowerment over our thoughts, words, and attitude and watch God begin to shift our hearts and learn we are not ever alone! We have everything we need for any circumstance or situation. We do not have to be afraid or intimidated by the unknown. We can overcome anything when we tap into the Holy Spirit.
So, let’s shift our hearts this week from grumbling and complaining , to being grateful, grateful people -by meditating on
Psalm 103:1-2
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy Name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits.
Verses 3&4 go on to tell of God’s benefits: that He, God forgives all our sins, He heals our diseases, He crowns us with love and compassion.
Write out 5 things you can tell God that you are thankful for when your lips want to complain! Lol Say “Praise the Lord my soul! Praise Him, be grateful. Don't wait to feel grateful, decide to be grateful!
Shift your mind and empower yourself and remember; We do not have to be lacking in the ability to handle and face any situation or circumstance that tries to trip us up, or knock us down, because if we have received Jesus in our hearts and confessed Him as Lord, then we are told that the very same power, the power of God, His Spirit raised Jesus from the dead; and that same Spirit lives in each one who believes.
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.
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. “
So this week, we are shifting our thoughts and words to be grateful and full of gratitude!
Let’s focus our hearts and minds on just being grateful as we 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
Consumed By Fire - First Things First (with lyrics)(2022)
Chris McClarney – God Of Miracles (Official Lyric Video)
Tauren Wells - Joy In The Morning (Lyric Video)
Scriptures from this week's Podcast
Exodus 6:6-8 New Living Translation
“Therefore, say to the people of Israel: ‘I AM the LORD. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment.
I will claim you as MY Own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I AM the LORD your God Who has freed you from your oppression in Egypt.
I will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as your very own possession. I AM the LORD!
Psalm 103:1-2
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy Name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits.
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/