Do you ever feel guilty because you don't read your Bible "long enough"?

Have you ever heard someone say, "If we spent as much time in the word as we do getting dressed in the morning, we would really be somewhere!"? Well, I was thinking about that condemning statement this morning as I just finished an hour of "getting ready for work" and grabbed my Bible to just have a taste of my Father's words before recklessly flying out the door onto the speedway of Charlotte morning traffic. Feeling guilty that I should have gotten up earlier and should have, could have and would have. I was actually already humming "Blessed be your name..." then I randomly flipped open to Psalm 113 and this is what my eyes landed on:

"Praise the Lord!

Praise, O servants of the Lord,
Praise the name of the Lord!
2 Blessed be the name of the Lord
From this time forth and forevermore!
3 From the rising of the sun to its going down
The Lord’s name is to be praised.

4 The Lord is high above all nations,
His glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like the Lord our God,
Who dwells on high,
6 Who humbles Himself to behold
The things that are in the heavens and in the earth?

7 He raises the poor out of the dust,
And lifts the needy out of the ash heap,
8 That He may seat him with princes—
With the princes of His people.
9 He grants the barren woman a home,
Like a joyful mother of children.

Praise the Lord!"

Uuummm wow and beautiful-ness.... My heart melted and God's glory immediately flooded in. The fact that 30 seconds in God's word (spiritual realm) is WAY more powerful than 30 seconds in our physical realm. His word is exponential. His word pierces joints and marrow. It is everlasting, and all consuming. It is timeless and limitless. 

Blessed be the name of the Lord!
 - Kelly Roberson 

The Remnant

Repost from November 15, 2012

An open letter to the church. My beloved friends, the time has come when we cannot operate under the shingle, “business as usual.” I know it’s hard in the new season because it is so unfamiliar. Our childhood memories of the American flag, sweet tea and an underlying respect and honor for what our founding fathers penned “One Nation Under God” is disappearing fast into time’s rear view mirror. There is a distinct line in the sand that has been drawn through our land. It is time to put away self-deception and ignorance.

I wish that things would just get back to normal. Normal is a lie. Life is organic. We must learn to be so in tune with the still small voice of the Lord that we adjust as needed. There will always be new strategies, new weapons, and new elements in which we are to navigate this Kingdom-story and the critical role we are all assigned. Bend, flow, listen, go and be flexible.

We are called the remnant and should be reminded that the way is narrow according to Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

So, with that said dear friends, I am calling forth the remnant to rise up! You will not be in the majority – that’s ok. You will be cornered and mocked – that’s ok – shake it off. We forge ahead gleaning the fields because our God is Lord of the Harvest! There are many precious new souls ready to be embraced by the Father’s love. So, our work is a privilege and people are watching. Be strong and courageous because someone’s life depends on it.

This is our wake up call to come out of our slumber. To know God’s Word and live it out loud. It is a mysterious adventure! We can walk with confidence knowing that we are on the winning team! It is an honor to stand for Truth. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Be love, be light and transform your atmosphere.

Prayer:  I pray we lace up our Gospel shoes of peace and be armed with the Word of God, pulling down every stronghold that rises up against it. I pray that miracles would surround us as we go in faith. I am thankful that the very same power that raised Jesus Christ from the grave lives inside of us! I pray that we would overflow with the love of Jesus Christ and His Truth – allowing us to be a force that sends waves of His presence wherever we go today. Amen. 

~ Kelly Roberson

Overcoming Anxiety, Fear And Panic

The power of deep breathing is a critical tool in your tool belt of coping with life's stress. It will allow you to overcome panic, anxiety and pain in a matter of minutes. Begin this technique the minute you feel anxious. Also, do this two times a day regardless of anxiety, not only will this technique lower your heart rate, but it will increase oxygen to your brain resulting in increased creativity and clarity. The easiest way to do this is to focus on an object in the room (or you may close your eyes and imagine your favorite thing or place that you are grateful for) and breathe in through your nose for 5 seconds, out through your nose for 5 seconds - for 5 minutes. This process is called "5 in 5 out."

Check out this short video clip on how this technique worked for Dr. John Assaraf' during a visit to the dentist:  http://www.praxisnow.com/wealth/overcoming-anxiety-fear-and-panic

Have a blessed and creative week!
Kelly 

Powerful Scriptures

Powerful Scriptures Create New Neural Pathways 
(thought patterns in the brain) 

When we speak scripture over our body and situation, there will be a shift in the atmosphere... scripture is LIVING AND ALIVE! 

John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the word was God.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 23:7a
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…

Philippians 4:8-9
Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. (The Message)

Deuteronomy 30:19
This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.

Isaiah 43:18-19
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

1 John 4:18a
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…

Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Proverbs 16:24
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

2 Corinthians 10:5

The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity. (The Message) 

The School of Rest

When asked, “tell me your story… your testimony…” I usually chuckle and say WHICH one?! The one where I was lost, but then found by Jesus!? Or the one where I was betrayed by someone who I loved, but then was cared for by my King?! Or the one where they thought I had M.S., but then I didn’t ….oh, or the one where I just got a job and then broke my ankle, but then…..(well this story is still in process)???….. aaahhh funny stuff! You know what I’m talking about, what “testimony” are you currently going through? We have miles of testimonies and certainly there will be more to follow. Chapters of cliff-hanging adventures with God’s power on display for all to see; excerpts where we’ve deceived ourselves and chose to do the wrong thing, but God in His loving mercy saved the day; paths through the dark shadowy forests of defeat, deception and painful betrayal that lead us to the healing cross, broken and bruised; tales of worldwide mountaintop experiences where God showed up and displayed His glory just like He did with Mary or Moses.

But what about the quiet times…? The quiet seasons of life where despite all our efforts to move, create, expand, promote and even run – nothing seems to be “working.” Could it possibly be that He is at work in those wilderness places? Could He be preparing us for something down the line just by us being still? Could He be working on our behalf while we are resting and abiding in Him? Is it right for us to have seasons of stillness and what we think of as being hidden?

I’m here to tell all of you who are like me – the ones who love to race around and be warriors for Christ – YES, He is in the REST. Embrace it. Why? Because He is preparing us for the next season – the next level. We must trust Him, we must trust the process – our destiny depends on it. We must hear His voice, we must be still. (1 Kings 19:11-13, Psalm 46:10) The rest is training. It is training us to rely on Him for our peace. To rely on Him for our provision, to rely on Him for our emotional needs. He WILL strip away everything that we lean on that is not of Him to grow us and prepare us. It is an honor to be trained in rest and abide in Him. I don’t want to miss out on what He is doing and I will submit.

Abide: to wait for, to endure without yielding, to bear patiently, to accept without objection, to remain stable or fixed in a state

Rest: peace of mind or spirit, free of anxieties

I have been in such a season for close to three years. I have gone to the Lord, I journal and I hear His voice. He says, “rest my child.” He says, “heal my child.” He says,”just be with me and don’t worry about what the world thinks you should be doing. I am showing you new things and new ways.” Maybe He is saying similar things to you? Then I would say to you, be free to do what God has set in your heart and be encouraged because He is up to something! We will rest knowing that we are in training and He will be glorified through it.

So here is our prayer: Father thank you for the school of rest – for this season where I seem hidden – because I know that you are cultivating my character as I trust that you are up to something good. I will watch you show up and show off in my life. I praise you for this time where I will experience you on a more intimate level and will not worry about what everyone else is doing. Father, cause me to be true to your instructions. I look forward to hearing your voice of wisdom, hope, encouragement and direction. I embrace the secret place where you reveal your heart to me. Amen. 

Love,
Kelly

The Birthing Moment

A mother getting ready to push is not surrounded by the noise of this world, but rather an  atmosphere that contains a few trusted allies – she is tucked away – focused on the life about to come forth. No one in the room is distracted.

That thing that has been promised to you, the thing that you were created to do has been growing. You are prepared. You have waited. It is ready to come forth. Don’t be surprised or disheartened by the place of quiet rest that you find yourself in. Press into that place – be scandalously encouraged that you have been drawn out away from the crowd for such a time as this. You are about to birth the dream of the season you are in. You will have your trusted few – your intimate allies by your side – those that can handle the birth. The Holy Spirit is hovering - nurturing and guiding you in the secret place. You are now at the moment that matters most. Push.

• “And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness–secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.” Isaiah 45:3
• “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17

Stay. Press. Push…

Kelly

Heaven's Incorruptible Treasury

Recently I was sitting and preparing to journal with Jesus... I asked, "What do you want to say to me today?" - I waited - and listened. I saw a picture of His hand outstretched holding hundreds of sparkling diamonds... then I heard Him speak to my spirit something that ALL daughter's of the KING can be encouraged by! This is what He said:

"Since the beginning of time you were my princess. All your days are numbered in My hand like little diamonds - each day special - each day sparkling. Each one to give away for my glory. You are not your own, you were bought with a price. Give yourself away each day knowing you are sowing Kingdom jewels into each person's life you come in contact with. These attributes and elements you deposit will not fade out and die. They are incorruptible - from Heaven's treasury."

Matthew 6:19-20 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal."

I Corinthians 6:19-20 "Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s."

Diamonds "sparkle" by reflecting light. May we bask in THE light - reflecting, sparkling and sowing from Heaven's treasury!

~Kelly