100 Days of Transformation-Days 54-52-Full Steam Ahead!

Oh, so Busy!

Please believe me when I say, it's not for lack of desire or effort when I don;t gete this blog done daily!

Between moving car loads from my storage unit to my new place, helping with babies, washing and cooking, and spending 5-6 hours on the phone with Microsoft support and the US store where I purchased my laptop ( and still need an other call!) -oh  and yeah, going to a wedding south of the border yesterday, there hasn't been a minute!
And of course, this means I've had no access to Office, so not able to work on anything that requires it.

So, just quickly, it's not even 6:30 Sunday morning and I have another twelve hour day out, so I wanted to get something in here.

These past few days I have done well with my fasting hours, mostly surpassing this week's minimum of 13 hours, but I have had some foods, I hadn't previously had-like last night, I made that my "cheat meal", just coz it made sense, but earlier this week I had gone to dinner with a friend and not mentioned my self imposed restrictions. I know she always cooks very organically, so I didn't bother, but as a result, a did partake in a little of what I haven't in 7 weeks. As with last night, I didn't overeat, but I do want to re-set to my previous clarity of borders, and with special events aside, keep Sunday as the option for a 'cheat meal'.

It's actually harder to maintain discipline once you have a taste of something than it is to avoid it altogether. Obviously, the goal is to get to that place of a fasted life, where discipline is always engaged, so it's habitual, but I'm not at that point yet, as I am only half way- tomorrow (Monday).

I didn't get to the gym, but worked out twice with moving ( yes, there are stairs too!) and did two short upper body sessions at home. I hope to get three sessions in at gym this week ( and will still be moving!)

Word WiseThe last few days had me looking at the principle of the necessity of vision in order for whole-hearted commitment, and the enabling grace to fulfil it, to flow. Also, trying to remind myself of the Lord's advice to 'ask, seek and knock'.

In addition to this, wanting to keep my focus on I am the Lord who heals you Ex 15:26 and It is He who gives you the ability to create wealth Duet 8:18.These are areas I need to strengthen, and if I am to succeed in business as the Lord promised, and in well being, I need my heart fully established. not just knowing what the verses say.

Work Wise

This coming week, as I begin to take more time for my own work in my own office, I will be taking stock and reviewing and re-setting the goals and objectives, according to the original vision I had from the Lord. As well as the business plan and sales forecasts set during my NEIS course. I am signing the final agreement with them tomorrow morning, in order to kick off my new business, Learning With Lisa Online the following Thursday, July 11.

I had some stressy moments about money with my new accommodation obligations, but like I said, the Lord is faithful. My pay for a gig I did a month ago, came through on Friday, which was much better than if it had come sooner, AND I received a request last night to do a short 2 hour gig tonight, which helps as well!

Plus, I am starting on illustrations for my friend's next book rather than working on copy, editing and formatting and uploading book interiors! Hallelujah! Paid painting break!

ALL of these little bits and pieces add up and make a difference, and will fit into my flow, once I'm working in my space. I'll still be up here with Rache two nights and days a week, but should get into a good flow the rest of the time. I do love being here with my babies and am a little concerned how Pearl will have to adjust to me not being here to knock on my door and get into bed with me for the initial times that I'm not here.

So! That's my update for now. Nearly time to shower and dress for church.
See you soon!
Be Blessed!

100 Days of Transformation-Day 56-55-IN Its Time I will do it Swiftly.

8 weeks to go

All the images are from my new place. My bedroom,
overlooking back yard

Ask, seek and find...this has been a theme for Sunday and Monday. JESUS said...

Ask  and it will be given you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, the one who seeks, finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Mt 7:7-8

My new compact office-only narrow but has
good storage  behind where I am standing.
I scored this wonderful thinking chair yesterday morn
from the Salvoes, next door to the gym I attend.
It has a massive matching footstool!
My desk and matching piano are in now, too.

In fact, in several places, Jesus said something similar, ask anything in His name, that the Father may be glorified. The proviso is that is Word abides in us and we abide in Him. If this is how we are living, we will ask in line with God's desires and plans, and He will hear and answer us.

Even though He knows all, He wants us to ask, so that we will know He hears and answers. In my last post, I shared a bit about that.

But here are some other verses you can click on, or look at in your own Bible, that confirm the Words of Jesus, repeatedly. The bible says let all matters be established by 2-3 witnesses (paraphrase 2 Cor 13:1, Deut 19:5)
Jn 14:13-14
Jn 15:16

LOTS of cupboards in the beautiful timber kitchen.

Jn 16:23-24  * "That Day" refers to when they have received the Holy Spirit
Ps 27:8  An call to seek
Jer 33:3 Another invitation to have mysteries revealed.

Lounge dining entry

Jesus also said, if we have faith NOTHING will be impossible for us, and that, with God ALL things are possible. We are told that every promise of God is "YES", and we shout the Amen, to His glory!

These are absolutes. Jesus left no grey area. But we must know what his word says and what is promised. And our hearts must be established in those truths more deeply than in what we were raised in the natural to be believe.

A week ago, I asked God to lead me to the place He had for me, instead of striving to push for what I thought was best. His leading was instant, the process now complete, and the moving begun! I had his favour EVERY STEP OF THE WAY!!! Saved time and money, worry and fears cast away.

We are encouraged to ask for wisdom ( James 1:5), with confidence that God will give it. James 4:1-3 also points out that we have not, cause we ask not, and we do not receive, because we ask with wrong motives-worldly, selfish motives. This doesn't refer to necessities. God has promised those. And we are blessed to be a blessing, not to hoard greedily.

He says He will lead, guide, instruct ( Ps 37:8-9)and He is faithful- if we will be led, guided and instructed. And even when we're not, He doesn't give up on us, He warns. He is always there, whenever we turn back to Him in godly sorrow, to pick us up and walk us out of our mess, with joy and thanksgiving in our heart.

Anything practical covered by the promises, and He even cares about the details that are special to you.The place I have is gorgeous and the price exceptional. I had favour with all. That's God.
But I did have to get out of the way, ask Him to guide and trust in His direction. he is faithful.

Have a great day and don't forget to lay your hearts desires thankfully before God, along with His promises for your own heart's remembrance...and know, in its time, He will do it swiftly! Amen!

100 Days of Transformation- Day 57- Week 7 kicks off!

This Week's Plan

Had a great day in church and fellowship, including a love lunch!
After that, I went to meet my potential new roomy and we instantly  connected! She is another 50+ woman, and so is the owner- so it felt great!
I am taking the place and will say more tomorrow.

I also had a gym visit. And...tonight, I kick over to the Intermittent Fasting/Daniel Fast + Protein plan. In some ways, this one is harder than what I've been doing-but, it will be good for me!
Starting with the 13 hr fast-only water.

God is Jehovah Jireh- the Lord my Provider

I want to give a little testimony about this place that I've been led to.
I had had my heart set on something. This is often the case when we are believing God for His provision. We decide how it should look, the form it should take, when it should come or the delivery package it comes as. Sometimes, these view are created by limiting beliefs. Holding on to our ideas can keep us from seeing and receiving the best that God wants to give us.

I knew God had called me back to the church I am attending: ROFC Reach Out for Christ and the quality of welcome I received and the place made for me confirms this profoundly. I had thought perhaps I would have a home there, too, as there are some accommodation options there-but none are right for me, at this point.

One of the outdoor homey nooks I created in a previous rental- I love it!

When I awoke last Tuesday and this hit home, so I prayed "Lord, lead me to the place YOU have prepared for me, please." With that simple faith-filled request, I abandoned my own ideas about what I wanted. I know very well how capable God is of supplying me with accommodation, no matter how hard it may seem in the natural-and I don't tick the boxes for real estate agents in any way!

A few seconds later, I went online and for some reason, only two places came up. Both with 50+ women (I hadn't wanted to share at all-but I had requested friends my age!) and both offering a second room, which I need as a home office. The more expensive one was in a more desired location ( according to my desires), but the other was still close to church, still close to the beach and nearer to my daughter and grandbabies- plus, it was a GREAT deal!

God is good, and He is faithful. He always keeps His promises, but we must trust Him to deliver in His perfect timing and in his own perfect way- and Rejoice! as we wait patiently. :)

So, I am going to leave you with this verse:

Rejoice in the Lord, always. Again , I say Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all , The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:4-7
Amen! Amen! Amen!

100 Days of Transformation- Day 59-58-Preparing for Another shift

The Weeks Fly By

So, coming into another weekend. And the end of another 3 week phase.

Spiritually Speaking

Overall, I think I am progressing quite well. Doing this blog is keeping me in the Word, but I feel the need for more of everything and less of some other things, so have implemented a partial fast on the other content-less of it and replaced it with LIFE producing stuff!

In this busy, very young-family household, I have a fraction of the time I will have once I move into my own place-hence my eagerness. BUT, I DO love being here, building relationships, so I try to stay 'present' and content in this precious season with my growing grandbabies.

I have listened a few times to Charles Spurgeon's sermon The Years the Locusts Have Eaten
It speaks deeply to my heart because I feel like I wasted and lost so many years- which was probably one of my greatest fears- to waste what's given me. It also speak very acutely regarding these 100 Days, as it is the goal overall-to get over all that was associated with poor choices and directions I took after initially abandoning my hope in God as the Satisfier of my soul-which was so contrary too, to the years I'd already had with Him, but these things reveal the holes in our hearts, the chinks in our armour and the weaknesses that will destroy us, if we do not heed the Word. God wants us whole and sound- heal us and restore us thru and thru... He is, after all, Jehovah Rapha- The Lord who heals us!
Here is a great blog, leading the way by Dr. Michael Youssef for added reading on that. He basically points out that God is saying healing is what I am and when we come to God, we get access to wholeness on every level! hallelujah!

I am profoundly grateful God brought me back into the Light, and has been restoring me. Things have improved little by little, but I believe this year will see the end of any internal blemish I have let hold me down as a dead weight, and with it, all other kinds of excess weight.
He required that I walk it out, just as I did with Alopecea, so that I can be strong in my stand-with my mind renewed, my conscience clear and my heart FULL of rejoicing!

Freedom is the goal. Freedom to fully and boldly love and serve my God and Father, and my Lord and Saviour, by the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit.

On the natural level, I did 4 gym trips so far and have been on the continuing Daniel Fast with protein, however, I do feel the need to lessen the portions of the concentrated foods ( protein and carbs like potatoes/pumpkin).

Going into Week 7 my table says Intermittent fasting , Daniel fast + Protein.

In this tri-week block, I'm introducing Intermittent Fasting. This is a principle whereby you select a period of hours as an eating window and the rest of the time, only water. It sounds worse than it is, coz you do sleep through a lot of those hours-hopefully! You start timing fro the last thing you eat in the evening. It's good to do at least 12 hours, with the goal to get to 16, having only an 8 hr window.

You can put that 8 hrs wherever it suits you best.

When I am living in my own space and on my own schedule, this 12 hours will likely be 10:30-6:30...or something like that. My eating plan is week 1 with 13 hours fasting and an 11 hr window. 
Week 2: 14 hrs fasting:10 hrs eating window,
Week 3: 15 hrs fasting: 9 hrs eating window.
The final goal is 16 hrs fasting: 8 hrs eating window, which may become part of the following phases.
The one other change I'm adding is a 'cheat meal' where I can have whatever I want-within reason. Allowing this grace tho, means firm boundaries the rest of the time.

I have lost weight and some centimetres, but really don't want to get caught up there, and it is easy for me to do so. I will check both again after a full month from joining the gym.

What kind of changes or improvements, if any, do you feel you need to make in your daily routine?
What is stopping you?
Let me know in the comments.

Onward... :)

Blessings!

100 Days of Transformation-Day 61-60: God Provides

This Blessed Salvation

God lets us know His nature, through His Word and Promises. But He has also revealed His Names and those names tell us who He wants to be for us. They nicely sum up the qualities of this blessed salvation that he has wrought for us, by his own hand, at his own expense, in Jesus.

God cares about the intimate details of your life and knows your own heart much better than you do. In His dealings with us, He reveals the conditions hidden deep in our inner man, and, if we allow His too, walks us out through the process of being completely freed from them.

It was for freedom's sake , that Christ has set us free.Gal 5:1

For this purpose was the Son of God manifest- to destroy the works of the evil one I Jn 3:8 -which was to enslave people, according to Hebrews.

Now, since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity , so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. Heb 2:14-15


That's what this salvation does. Sets us free from the corrupt nature of sin, with which we were born, and gives us the ability to live godly lives, by the grace of God, walking by faith in the righteousness He credits to us, through Jesus paying the price for our sinful acts as well as giving us a new nature, and providing an ongoing purging  ( I Jn 1:9 )of unrighteous acts through Jesus' blood- which ever flows-ensuring us a clean heart and a clear conscience through confession and forgiveness.

He made Him , who knew no sin, to become sin, so that we could be made the righteousness of God through Him 2 Cor 5:21

Because of all this, God is able to be our God and our own loving Father. His Names reveal what that means for us.

The Names of God

Jehovah Jireh-             The Lord will Provide                       Gen 22:13-14
Jehovah Rapha-           The Lord who heals us                      Ex 15:26
Jehovah Nissi-             The Lord our banner [Victory]          Ex 17:8-16
Jehovah Shallom-        The Lord our Peace                           Judges 6:24
Jehovah Ra'ah-            Jehovah is the way, my Shepherd      Ps 23:1
Jehovah Tsidkenu-      The Lord our righteousness               Jer 23:6
Jehovah Shammah-     Jehovah is the Light & ever present  Ez 48:35

Gods first promise was given with the sign of the rainbow
to remind us that he said he would NEVER again destroy the
whole earth with water. The rainbow represents God's promises.
The rainbow means GOD IS FAITHFUL. Amen.

And today, I want to talk about God's faithfulness as a provider. Remember, God is limited in His ability to work in us when we do not establish ourselves in faith. Fortunately, He also uses prayer warriors and intercessors who pray and stand in the gap for those trapped in the snare of the devil under the dominion of sin and living in darkness.

God provided the sacrifice we needed and He provides His Spirit to live IN us, once we're born again, so we can know our sonship in the kingdom of light and when we live in obedience to His Word, we are able to enjoy all His promises and provision-salvation.

Faithful Again and Again.

I spent all my life relying on God really-especially in the area of money coz I struggled with creating a decent income. I wasn't raised in an abundant mentality when it came to finance- altho BOTH my parents originally came from wealthy families. I believe all that will change permanently this year, and I am on track, following the leading of the Lord to walk that out. I just have to stay with it!

God orders my steps, He orchestrates my situations and circumstances and as I am obedient, things line up with wonderful and delightful synchronicity. NO ONE can do that like God- who knows the end fro the beginning and everything in between!

So, my main verses for today are Gen 22:13-14 declaring god as our provider. But also,
My god shall supply all your needs according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus Phil 4: 19
And...
God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work 2 Cor 9:8 
God want s to bless you, give you more than enough, so that you can bless others as well as takew care of your family!

Oh and this one!!
It is He [God] who gives you the ability to create wealth, and so confirms his covenant which He swore to your ancestors, as it is today. Deut 8 :18

When God makes a promise-it lasts eternally.

Ps 90:17 Let the favour of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us,; yes , establish the work of our hands!!

If you are walking with God and have waited upon him for direction, if you don't quit you will see this fruit for your labour because God PROMISED.

Is it getting any clearer how you use the Word of God as your anchor?
Do not be moved.
We're believing with you!

Amen

100 Days of Transformation- Day 62-Making Sudden Progress

Leaps of Faith
Today has been another one of those 'leap ahead' days. I went to bed feeling a bit desperate about certain aspects of my situation. Mounting pressure that I don't need and it doesn't help regarding my new business goals and obligations and finding a place to live.

Our Salvation is blood bought. And only Jesus could provide that sinless sacrifice.

New Home
But this morning, upon waking, I prayed a slightly different kind of prayer regarding my accommodation, and I was lead to different kinds of ads. This led to an appointment tomorrow and I already feel like I'm moving there!

We shall see, of course, but at the very least, there came a shift and I have a better idea about how to move forward-and that is often the missing bit. Hallelujah!

Home Based Business

The prospective new home, caters perfectly to the new home-based business and is a remarkably low cost!  So, that's one business clog in place, should that go ahead. But also, my new business and my current focus on workshops has been well supported in that responses to going in that direction have been very favourable, already providing opportunity for a joint workshop with a very good friend and co-creative, as well, workshop dates with the Gold Coast Libraries.

In addition to that, today, I was approached by someone who has a website that acts as a hub for workshop facilitators and teachers. You list yous classes/workshops for free.. and pay a meagre 7c in the dollar when someone buys a place. You can even list your free workshops and pay NO fee!

This is a prefect blend for where I am-and what's more, it actually came through LinkedIn, which is where I was led to begin to promote my business-but I hadn't even done that yet!

Often that way...

It often does happen, after a challenging day or intense period, the breakthrough flows. The fact that I finally got to some good word on the glorious benefits of our wonderful Salvation in Jesus, probably helped enormously, too!

It is a case, as I said in my closing comment yesterday from Is 60:22: In its time, I will do it swiftly.
(which is a favourite saying of mine)

Habakkuk 2:3For the vision awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it. It will certainly come and will not delay.


God's Timing IS Perfect
I know we don't often think so, because we dislike discomfort. But God knows what we need and how best to get it to us to do us the HIGHEST good. And to enhance our relationship with Him the most.

All I have to say again is, REJOICE! So glad to have my voice back too!

I'm still gymming and fasting ...week 6

P.s. I even had time to write TWO blogs as everyone napped!
Here's my other one. Totally different. Creativity and making books

Blessings!

100 Days of Transformation-Day 65-64 The Lord's Day & On

I had another, awake all night situations.
I've been enjoying waking up in the watches of the night to pray, worship, and/or journal. I like the stillness and I've woken quite alert at times.

So, at 2:30 I decided to journal a bit about things, but an hour later, although I tried to sleep, I felt more awake than ever-and stayed that way till I got up.

Then , I went to lead the worship  at church.
After church, a couple of my friends, the pastor's wife and the children's church leader, invited me to lunch again-so I went :)

On the way home, I stopped at the gym, for some resistance training for an hour, ONce showered, I started to pay with a pop up card design for my eldest daughter' fiance I watched Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston on a fun, somewhat tongue in cheek, murder mystery on Netflix.

Soon after, the family arrived home. I played with my pop-up card till my movie was over and then I went straight to babies and making dinner.

I've just come up stairs to write my blog ( I did notes in the middle of the night), but now, I am SOOO tired, I can 't sit still- let alone keep my eyes open. I either have to get to it earlier...

Day 64

I had to stop and go to sleep. And I didn't get up until 10 hours later ( except to wee thru the night ).
That is quite uncharacteristic of me. But I felt very tired.

It's only 8:15am, but I want to do this now, if I can.

The Benefits of walking with The Lord

God makes promises to us. This is how we are able to access the benefits. Naturally, we must believe those promises. John G. Lake once said something along the lines of  Christian ought to be most wildly optimistic people in the world. Because if you establish your heart in the promises of God, you really have overcome all that the world throws at you and have peace and grace through it, in the midst.

It's like having something who has the credibility and authority always with you, saying "It's ok. Everything will be fine." It IS having that someone.

Ps 103:1-5 for starters

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is within me
bless His holy name.Bless the Lord all my soul, 
And forget not all His benefits,
Who forgives all your [my] iniquities
who heals all your [my]diseases,
who redeems your[my] life from the pit
and crowns you [me[ with steadfast love and mercy
who satisfies you [me[ with good [things]
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Could we get a better deal anywhere! These are the qualities of the salvation God has promised us.
But just reading these verses, and others like them, will not make it an automatic experience for us. We must supplant the old thinking that says we are condemned and guilty and sick and poor, and without hope.

It requires taking our eyes  off what we see and hear and feel etc in the natural realm and give priority and authority to the WORD. The promises must become bigger in our thinking and in our hearts than ANYthing else.

Let God be true and every man [ thing, circumstance, event, experience, friend, doctor...] a liar. Rom 3:4   Meaning that God's Word is the unquestionable FINAL Word.

God's Word is the unquestionable FINAL word.

This takes  Labouring to enter into rest. Heb 4:11  which simply means work smarter, not harder! Put your strength and focus and effort where it is going to count and make a transformational difference, resulting in the peace of God (nothing missing, nothing broken) becoming your experience, starting in your heart and mind.

2 Pet 1:4-11  please click and read.
This verse, paraphrased, basically says that God has given us access to everything we could ever need through His promises. Obviously, we need to know what those promises are! They give us the knowledge of the nature of God and allow us a way to participate in that nature, enjoying all that goes along with it as our own.

This passage also highlights a response from us, to walk in a manner in keeping with that nature, as we are able, at any time, to deviate, and lose what we have gained. To enjoy this amazing Life and STAY FREE, we must continue to walk in the light of God's Word. There is NO other way in this world to be free from sin or the effects of it.

Ps 103 is an example of promises that reveal the Father. The Father promised a Saviour and through Him and our relationship with Him, all the benefits of salvation.  Remember, Jesus IS the Word made Flesh. He is a promise fulfilled in every way. AS is the gift of the Holy Spirit to live within us. Another promise is that the Spirit will quicken our mortal bodies - that means to make them alive Rom 8:11

How To Apply The Word to Renew Your Mind And Establish Your Heart.

As you go about your day, you are probably playing various "tracks" in your head. Self talk, or mutterings, that are supporting some kind of mindset about you and how you see yourself, your world and you in that world.

The key is to become aware of when and how you are doing this. As you are diligent to focus on scriptures, repeat them, mull them over, think about what they mean and what God is saying he wants to be and do in your life, the Word will go to work in you. The power to fulfil those promises are contained in the Word of His Power.

When God SAID...there WAS- Gensis CH 1. That's how potent His Word is. It will go to work in you, and will lead through stages of awareness. When you can see that you are being moved by natural thinking that is contrary to His Word, or the hope that you have in it, FORSAKE YOUR THOUGHTS ( Is 55:10-11 click and read) Be willing to accept what God says instead. Take the promises, speak them out and take captive any thought that dares to exalt another option. ( 2 Cor 10:3-5 ) Your life and well-being depend on it. I have all kinds of fun and creative ways to keep the Word in my thinking. They may seem simplistic...but they are effective. If you would like access to any of these, let me know in the comments

The promises must be what come out of you when you are squeezed and under pressure, NOT your fears, doubts etc...then, you know your heart is established.

100 Days Continues-Week 6

So I am on Day 36, counting the other way :) Still in the second dietary stage of Daniel fast + protein.
Still, no bread, pasta , rice, noodles. 2 coffees usually one decaf. After this week, it changes again, and I will share how, later.

What it comes down to, is that every day, I am still 'no' to myself for a bunch of things. I am going for the discipline. I felt out of control in a lot of ways, and silencing the voice of the flesh just helps to bring things into a healthier perspective. Balance and boundaries: two of my VERY FAVOURITE things.

The personal situation that has carried much emotional weight flares up now and then, but comes with more of a resigned attitude. I know God is walking me through the sorrow of grief and loss, but you must admit, it's pretty good to have so much good stuff to sustain me along the way- so that I no longer resort to unhealthy ways to comfort  myself. And that is GOD! That's how he does things.

He will do it for you, too, if you ask Him.

I had a dream the other night that people had started to notice a change in my appearance. From that point, it began to change even more swiftly. Everything else, too. It was as if the seed, in the darkness of the dirt, putting out roots, suddenly showed it's face in the light and once in fullaccess of the elements took  off like a Beanstalk! And yes, that is how God does...

It may tarry... but in its time. it happens swiftly. Trust the timing and stay diligent and faithful. Is 60:22

Onward into the day!