Splitting Image - Alive in 2025
Are you really ready to learn how to lean into this year with the expectation that God is going to power you up with new energy, new zest, new zeal, new enthusiasm and a richer joy for a new year! Do you want your path, your goals, your hopes and dreams to become more clear this year? Do you want to shine a light on the shadows of your life? Do you want to know the right direction for your life?
Then Come On! Leave the dark and reach for the light!! Join in now!
Diana’s Notes
Alive in 2025
Howdy! Howdy! Welcome to Heartfelt Conversations with Diana! So, last week we kicked off a conversation about coming alive in 2025 and learning to be the light. But before we can be a light, we must be connected to the Light, the Source of all Light - And we Power Up by Seeking Up! By seeking God’s Kingdom we Learn our way to the Kingdom by following Jesus - His Son - The Light of the World - the One Who came to Redeem us and then show us the way.
Here is what The Scriptures tell us in the NLT of John 8:12 -
John 8:12: Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “ I AM the Light of the world. If you follow Me, you won’t have to walk in the darkness, because you will have the Light that leads to life.
Jesus the Source of all Light - He will light the way for us to walk but it is up to us to make a choice and a decision to follow. Remember what we just read? in John 8:12? IF you follow ME
It is a choice we make, a decision that our inner self (our spirit) sets its mind, heart, body, soul, our entire being on - where you say, I have made a personal decision to follow Jesus. Then, Jesus Himself promises, if you decide and follow, because He is the light, you will never be in darkness again. His light, His Hope, His Love, His Spirit will guide you as you do.
Our being apathetic (indifferent, disinterested, unconcerned, detached) towards God is not the way to becoming more Alive in 2025. That is what this journey together is really all about learning. Learning to “become”. Become like the image of God we were created to be. Being the very best version of our true selves- who God designed us to be. Having a lackadaisical or luke-warm attitude towards God will only be used by Satan as stumbling blocks to prevent us from seeing the fulfillment of the hopes and dreams and visions God planted within us. God wants all of us to be fulfilled beyond our wildest imagination.
In the Amplified version of God’s word Ephesians 3:20 tells us
Ephesians 3:20: Now to Him Who is able to (carry out His purpose and) do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think (infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams), according to His power that is at work within us.
Do you want that Power Source at work for you, within you? I do! I will be the first person in line if God comes seeking someone to be good to. I will not hesitate to say, Here I am God, I am trusting and believing and cleaving to You!
Did you know God searches the whole earth always looking for those whose hearts are authentically seeking to obey Him. It doesn't mean we don’t fail, it means our hearts are turned towards Him and not ourselves.
2 Chronicles 16:9 ( NLT) The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.
Jesus knows we battle against our own self-will, that sometimes our childish behavior sneaks up on us, but God is kind and merciful and He looks at our hearts, our first reaction may be, “no! Me want my way”! But, after our little tantrum subsides our true heart and nature come out and we obey. We do the right thing. That is what God is looking for, not perfection - but an excellent character - Our ‘who” if you will.
Listen to what Jesus says about the attitude of our hearts and obedience in a parable about two sons in Matthew 21:28-30 in the NLT
Jesus speaking:
Matthew 21:28-31:
What do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son answered, ‘no! I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. Then the father told the other son, ‘you go, and he said, ‘yes sir, I will,’ but he didn’t go.
Jesus asks in verse 31
Which of the two obeyed his father?
I am sure there was a level of pride the father felt seeing his older son “LEARN” to make a right choice ,even though for a brief period of time the son’s behavior was disrespectful to his father, then the father delighted in his others son appearance of obedience, but when the father learned the son did not go, I am sure his heart was saddened by the lack of good character and ability to choose the right path, to show respect and honor to the request of the father.
I remember when one of my sons told me he was going to a neighbors to play basketball. He was not supposed to go to the school several blocks away, he gave his word they would be in the friend’s yard. I believe he was in about the 4th grade at the time. Anyway, Within about 30 minutes or so, my son returned and walking through the door that led into the kitchen I saw his face and he looked miserable! I asked him if he and his friend had a fight, because the little boy could be a bit naughty at times. LOL My ball, my house, my rules - kind of thing
Anyway, my son said no, he came home because he lied. And then he broke down in little tears and told me he was sorry for lying to me. They had planned to go to the school like I had just told him not to, and on the way there, he had a change of heart and came home because he knew I would be upset.
Do you think I punished that child??? Heck no, I would have taken him out for a cheeseburger and fries or whatever he would have wanted in that moment. I was so stinkin’ proud of him. My young son was growing up into a person of trustworthy character. That decision to turn around and come back, that heart to say, I wanna go, but I don’t want to dishonor my parents - that is the heart that God loves. Appearances can be deceiving and Attitudes can be distracting, God goes beyond all of it and goes straight to the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or by his height, for I have rejected him.
(this is God talking to Samuel His prophet who God called on to go and anoint His new king to replace king Saul. God tells us what He looks at reading on in verse 7)
The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance , but the LORD looks at the heart.”
My son turned around and came home and that was so awesome at that age. But …
The more times we choose the outcome we want over what is the right thing, the further down the path of darkness we go and the more blind to the light we become (truth, honor, character). While God is patient with us on our journey and gently nudges us along, it is vital that we learn sooner rather than later to be obedient when our Heavenly Father asks something of us. We can’t hear- in order to be obedient- if we do not recognize His voice. Learning is active. This is not a passive journey.
Learning God’s Voice, Learning to fix your eyes on Jesus and follow Him, Learning to be led by the Spirit of God …. It is all so much easier said than done! This I know!!! But, I so want to encourage you to be brave and bold enough to make the decision. Decide to follow no matter what! Decide you are going to put on the characteristics of God this year - To learn to walk in His image - In the Light
Remember how God’s Word tells us we are created in His image -
Verse NLT
Genesis 1:27: So God, created human beings in His Own image. In the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.
If we can find no other reason to seek unity and peace, then let it be to honor our Creator God, Who formed every single one of us into His image.
This is not some theological point of view. This is God’s truth and if you are ready to refuse to miss out on your best life ever, then you are going to have to learn to trust that God’s Word is absolute and it does not expire or grow outdated. It is Alive and Active!
His Word, His Son, His Spirit, His ways - all help us to grow into the image of God, the image He created us to be.
According to the Merriam Dictionary the origins of the phrase “spitting image” is …
uncertain, though it most likely evolved from 'spit,' meaning 'perfect likeness,' possibly due to the idea of a child resembling their parent so closely they were 'spit out' of their mouth.
The phrase implies the spit, the stuff our parents are made of - their DNA, Behaviors, mannerisms, humor, character, their looks- is what people are referencing when they use it. I’m not sure how common it is any more. I might be dating myself. LOL
But, I’m sure most of us have heard someone say, “you are the spitting image of your mom,dad, grandma, grandpa - you mirror, reflect, resemble another person in your family.
And when we pause and slow down enough to look up and come to fully know, recognize and understand that we, you, me, us, human beings, we were created in God’s likeness, in the image of God
When you think about how remarkable, how miraculous that really is - only then will His breath of Life come alive in you. I can read verses to you, I can share my path, my experience with God and how I went from blaming Him for everything and living broken, damaged, and bringing brokenness and damage to others - How I went from a dead decaying life to being resurrected into a new life - I can speak of His illustrious acts of Loving Kindness He has shown to me , and I will because He instructed me to, ( read from blue book)
But none of this will be real, have any roots or any foundation in your life if you will not choose God’s ways - no matter what. Period.
Decide.
We will never know the very best life that God already planned out and purposed for us - the only life that will truly satisfy the deep desires and dreams and visions and hope within us- if we do not make a firm and decisive choice to be fully committed to Christ this year and learn to trust and obey. Follow Him. Decide to follow Jesus.
Jesus tells us that we are the light of the world, so we better come out from under the lampshade and learn how to follow the Light.
Learn then lead. 🙂
No one wants a guide who doesn’t know the way. Who hasn’t first walked the path themself.
Matthew 5:14-16:
You are the light of the world- like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that - everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
We were created in His image and our lives are to be living testimonies of His faithfulness to us personally, but if we do not have any personal relationship with Him then how can we do our part. In our lives, in the lives of our family and community. The best way to receive is to give and giving helps keep us off the wrong path - a path of selfishness and toddler tantrums. There are no shortcuts - remember last week….
Verse on the wrong path to destruction in the AMP Bible
Message translation
Matthew 7:13-15 - Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life-God!- is vigorous and requires total attention.
This week stay, let’s make an intentional choice to stay off the wrong path: The path of destruction
We must learn to follow Jesus, He leads us on the right path. The path that leads to the Father, to eternal life, and Jesus is the ONLY Way there is to eternal life.
Remember to free fall into trusting Jesus especially when your body and mind want to fight against it. That is your old dead self trying to hold on.
Isaiah 42:16: God’s Word Translation
I will lead the blind on unfamiliar roads. I will lead them on unfamiliar paths. I will turn darkness into light in front of them. I will make rough places smooth. These are the things I will do for them, and I will never abandon them.
in 2025 we will become Alive - alive in the LIght! And, then, we will naturally become a light of hope out of the darkness to those around us.
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So! Let us rise up with determined hearts to seek after God’s Presence which will illuminate and make clear His path for our best lives.
Scripture tells us that God is the Father of lights. He is the source for every good thing.
James 1:17: Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights (the Creator and Sustainer of the heaves), in Whom there is no variation (no rising or setting) or shadow cast by His turning) for He is perfect and never changes)
God does not cast shadows onto our lives. Bad luck, bad mojo. God can not cast a shadow, it would go against His Own Word!
Do you want your path, your goals, and dreams and hopes to become more clear this year. Out of the shadows? Do you want to know the right direction for your life?
When we align our lives up with God’s Word, by studying His Word and learning to follow the footsteps of Jesus Who will teach us how to align with God’s Word - then we will never walk in darkness again. Then we will be children of the light
This week - if you do not have a bible that you can understand and write in , go find one, buy one. Many churches will provide you with one if you can’t afford to buy one. But most likely you will not want a King James version - just saying that there is a lot of Thee and Thouest and words we don’t really say … I might recommend the AMP bible, NIV bible, New Living Translation, one that when you read it, your brain doesn’t turn into a pretzel.
Then, mark it up!! Read it, study it, write all in it! I have little notes from the past few years all in my bible where God has brought His word alive to my life and He has given me assignments and personal words of encouragement and promises. It strengthens me to remember everything He has brought me through already or to reflect when He did something personal and special just between me and Him. It fills my soul!
It took a while to get into a rhythm and an ease with God. Think of starting out as a “blind date” LOL since we are learning to walk in the light. So the first few times might be a bit awkward and strange, but as you “show up for the date” eventually it will be like having coffee with a really good friend and then it deepens like any great love and before you know it, God is revealing things to you that only you and Him will understand.
It all begins with a decision
Then we get into God’s Will for us - The Bible , meditate on a portion of scripture that feeds you.
Take the verses we talk about on the podcast and look them up and write the date in your bible if God speaks anything to your heart or leads you to another verse.
It's a treasure hunt
If you’ve never read the bible and don’t know where to begin, start in the book of John. It is full of God’s love for you.
Prayer
I have put a link to Pastor Eric’s message -Formed - on the notes for this week.
You can find the link of the message on -
Heartfeltconversations.com -https://www.heartfeltconversations.com/
Along with a couple of resources to help you get your mind back from the enemy of darkness:
There are a few listed on the website, but we are all so different so someone I like, might not do it for you - LOL I hope one of these resources will begin to help transform your mind to the mind of Christ Jesus.
NOW:
May the LORD bless you and protect you,
May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you,
May the LORD show you HIS favor and give you HIS peace(Numbers 6: 24-26}
Walk in the Light! God bless and see you next week !
Joyce Meyer: The Mind is a Battlefield - https://joycemeyer.org
And a few other links as well
Steven Furtick: Triggered Taking Back Your Mind in the Age of Anxiety
JimmyEvans: The time is Now to Change Your Attitude
https://endtimes.substack.com/p/the-time-is-now-to-change-your-attitude
Beth Jones: Getting a Grip on the Basics is a great resource to help you get the basics of how vital you are to God and how good He desires to be to you
https://www.thebasicsuniversity.com
Songs to inspire you
I Have Decided | Live | Elevation Worship
breathing the breath, matt redman
Consumed By Fire - First Things First (with lyrics)(2022)
Foundation Verse
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/