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Move On


"While the Israelites were in the land of Moab east of the Jordan River, Moses carefully explained the Lord’s instructions as follows:

“When we were at Mount Sinai, the Lord our God said to us, ‘You have stayed at this mountain long enough. It is time to break camp and move on. Go to the hill country of the Amorites and to all the neighboring regions—the Jordan Valley, the hill country, the western foothills, the Negev, and the coastal plain. Go to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, and all the way to the great Euphrates River. Look, I am giving all this land to you! Go in and occupy it, for it is the land the Lord swore to give to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and to all their descendants.’” Deuteronomy 1:5-8

When we move, God moves. When we sit in despair, God patiently waits.

God has amazing promises for us. Many are stuck at home, wondering how God is going to provide. The pit of despair is beckoning us. 

And yet, this crisis may be a wake-up call. Maybe it's time to make a change.

Scott and I moved to Montana thinking the road ahead would be smooth. Well, maybe I'm speaking for myself. I thought Montana was my Promised Land. Somehow, I forgot about the children of Israel's experiences when entering into the Promised Land; they had many battles to fight as they possessed the Land. 

When Scott and I faced challenges, I was shocked. I questioned God. At the beginning of this year, I slipped back into anxiety and depression. I hadn't experienced those symptoms for almost twelve years.

My medicine was watching preaching and testimony YouTubes. At first, I woodenly stared at the screen. I felt nothing. But I kept at it. The days slowly dragged on. God's word started breaking through. Little by little, I began to see a teeny pinpoint of light in the dark fog. This time, my deliverance wasn't instantaneous. I had to fight my way through the paralyzing fog of fear and depression. I can't tell you the day and time that it happened, but after three weeks or so, I broke through into glorious light. 

Most of the time, the journey into our personal Promised Land begins with steps of faith on our part.

I have decided to use this shelter in place time to focus on my health. Physical, mental and spiritual health. Last week, I started the following regimen, in addition to my regular prayer and Bible reading every morning. (And my prayer and Bible reading is a whole 'nother subject for whole 'nother blog!) 

1. Daily Bible study blog (which I had let fall by the wayside)
2. Daily twenty five minute workout YouTube, plus stretching exercises
3. Daily 45 minute brisk walk outside, now that the weather is nice
3. Create music training YouYubes (haven't gotten there yet, but moving in that direction)
4. Clean eating (my first small step is no sugar in the house)

Yesterday, I actually wrote these goals down in my journal. And it felt good to check most of them off. 

Are you experiencing fear and hopelessness? Look to God for healing. I believe He has an exciting change of scenery in your future. I believe He is opening a door of opportunity for you that you haven't considered in the past. It's time to spiritually and mentally break camp and move on.

"By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.

There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!" Romans 5:1-5

Dear Jesus, Thank You for the wonderful words of encouragement for me today. Thank You that you pulled me out of a pit of despair twelve years ago. Thank You for dying on the Cross for my sins. Thank You for my freedom. Thank You that I am living in my personal Promised Land. Thank You for the Promised Land, Heaven, that is to come for believers who keep our hearts clean and follow You. How I love You, Jesus. I pray for everyone who is reading this prayer. I pray for complete healing and deliverance for those who are desiring freedom. I pray for Your sweet peace for them. In Your precious name and thank You ahead of time, AMEN.

 In your journal, write down today's action step(s).

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