Am I Walking by Faith or Flesh??

So many times I have to stop and ask myself this very question, Am I walking by my flesh or faith? I know for a fact that my flesh gets in the way often enough. When I am facing difficult situations or decisions, it is this little test that helps me follow the leading of the Lord.

My Flesh is self seeking
My Faith is Self less

My Flesh is greedy
My Faith is Giving

My Flesh struggles
My Faith is Strong

My Flesh falters
My Faith Never Fails

My Flesh says "it's all about my way"
My Faith says "it's all about Yahweh"

Galatians 2:20

English Standard Version (ESV)

²⁰I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

I give myself away....freely just as Jesus did for me. Looking for nothing in return from anyone. I walk out my life totally surrendered to the only one that matters. He takes all the ugliness of the flesh and make it something beautiful...by FAITH!

Anything we allow Him to use, HE will not abuse! Trust God, my sweet Sistas with everything you have and with your whole heart. HE will never misuse or mislead you. HE is good all the time!

Living by Faith!
Sista Staci
~<3~

GOD is Enough

As Christians, we do not have a blanket promise that we will have everything we want. Instead, this is David's praise for God's goodness- all those who call upon God in their need will be answered, sometimes in unexpected way.
Remember, God knows what we need, and our deepest needs are spiritual. Many Christians, even though they face unbearable poverty and hardship, still have enough spiritual nourishment to live for God. David was saying that if you have God, you have all you really need. GOD IS ENOUGH!
If you feel you don't have everything you need, ask
(1) Is this really a need?
(2) Is this really good for me?
(3) Is this the best time for me to have what I desire?

Even if you answer yes to all three questions, God may allow you to go without to help you grown more dependent on him. He may want you to learn that you need HIM more than you need you immediate desires met.
God promises to be "close to the brokenhearted" and to be our source of power, courage, and wisdom, helping us through our problems. When trouble strikes, don't get frustrated with God. Instead, admit that you need God's help and thank him for being by your side.

Psalm 34
1 I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
2 I will boast only in the Lord;
let all who are helpless take heart.
3 Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
let us exalt his name together.

4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
he saved me from all my troubles.
7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
he surrounds and defends all who fear him.

8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
9 Fear the Lord, you his godly people,
for those who fear him will have all they need.
10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.

11 Come, my children, and listen to me,
and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
12 Does anyone want to live a life
that is long and prosperous?
13 Then keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies!
14 Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

15 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right;
his ears are open to their cries for help.
16 But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil;
he will erase their memory from the earth.
17 The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

19 The righteous person faces many troubles,
but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
20 For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous;
not one of them is broken!

21 Calamity will surely overtake the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
22 But the Lord will redeem those who serve him.
No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.



Living and Loving to Serve,
Sista Staci :)

~~~~~~Wayward Wasp ~~~~~~

I love how the Lord teaches me simple lessons through nature. This morning I was sitting at the kitchen table watching my bird feeders. Just then, I spied a wasp flying around the feeder. As I watched the wasp it would fly up and around and then land for a second and then fly around a little more. Once it landed on the opening of the finch feeder (which is rather small) and I watched it walk into the feeder. I said out loud “don’t go in there.” It was too late it was trapped. For the next ten minutes I observed the wasp trying to find freedom.

What are the lessons?

First, the wasp had no business being around a bird feeder. Just like Christians, there are places that we should never go around. It’s a trap that will ensnare us every time. It may look harmless enough and might even afford a little fun, but in the end it’s a trap.

Then once we are imprisoned, we frantically try to find our own way out. I kept waiting for the wasp to settle down and fly down and find the little opening that brought him into the place. But, to my dismay he did not ever settle down long enough to go back where he started.

Sounds like me sometimes, we I find myself in a self made prison. I am looking for the way out on my own strength and knowledge. I will calm down for a little while, only to find myself spinning out of control once again.

The wasp would stop and walk the sides of the bird feeder and almost get to the opening. And just when I thought he was finally going to find freedom, he would start flying all over again. I can so relate, always going back to what I thought works. Trying to find freedom, but when it does not appear to be happening, I lose patience, give up and go back to doing what comes natural. And usually that has something to do with walking in the flesh and not the Spirit of God.

Another thing I observed while the wasp was trapped. There were other wasps flying freely by the bird feeder. I’ve been there just like the wasp, in my self made prison; watching others operating in freedom. This place can make or break you. Meaning that when you see others being free, you will either have a desire to go after it or you will have disdain for the person that has freedom. But, what we all need to know is WE ARE CALLED TO BE FREE! Freedom is for everyone, but freedom ain’t free. It will cost you something.

So, are you wondering about the fate of the wasp?

Just like we have someone larger watching over us, the wasp did to. I waited about fifteen minutes before I approached the bird feeder. And then I unscrewed the top and lifted the lid and the Wayward Wasp was free at last.

Just like God did for me. He lifted me out of my self made prison and gave me freedom.And I love him for it, and try my best to stay away from the things that trap me up.

Many Blessings,

Sista Staci

BOOK SIGNING - LIFEWAY CHRISTIAN STORE

April 16, 2011
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
LifeWay Christian Store
Mall of Georgia
Click HERE for directions

Would love to see you there!

God has been teaching me to yield to His ways. We have been in Disney World this past week. And I was continually yielding the right of way to baby strollers, wheel chairs, people in a hurry, people standing looking at maps, people not paying attention, little kids screaming, people pushing through the line and the list goes on. So here's the deal....God teaches me His ways through daily occurrences. I had to make a choice during the past week, actually several times. The choice to be kind and courteous or to demand my way. Since Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit, the choice was obvious. But, I'm going to be transparent and honest here. Putting myself last has not always be my first choice. You see, Todd and I took our children to Disney in 1995; and I was one of those people in a hurry afraid I was going to miss out or yet, my "Children" was going to miss something or the ride would be gone before we got there. We watched our video from our trip and I was always 5 or 10 steps ahead of my family. Rushing around, stressed out and caught up trying to create the perfect Disney vacation, all the while I was making my family miserable.
I could not live in the moment. I did not yield my right of way to Jesus. Trusting him to direct my paths.

God has taught me so much over the past sixteen years. Yielding is Trusting. I'll share an example. This will seem very simplictic, but I believe it serves the point well. I was standing in a l o n g food line at Disney; hundreds of people all around with limited seating. I started getting that anxious feeling inside of me..."What about a table, What am I going to do...blah blah blah" - immeidtaely, I heard "Do you trust me?" Sure, I do Lord! "Well, don't you think I can have a table prepared for you?" "YES, I DO, LORD!!!" Instantly, my anxiousness was gone! Todd and I found the perfect table (in the shade) and enjoyed our lunch. Yet again....GOD is LARGE and in CHARGE!!

James 3:17 (New Living Translation)
¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.

Yield your Right of Way to JESUS! HE will never lead you wrong!

Blessings,

Sista Staci

Your Heart Matters Radio Show 2-13-11

On this show we discuss "Expectations" and what do you do with unrealistic expectations. With Valentine's Day tomorrow we all have "Expectations"....Listen in and hear Staci and Lisa share something from their sweethearts! Click Here to listen to the show. Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts.

Your Heart Matters airs 8:00am Sunday Mornings on News Talk WCHM 1490

Thanks!
Sista Staci

Your Heart Matters - Debut Show 02-06-2011

You can listen to the debut show of Your Heart Matter - click here Let's us know what you think.

Listen weekly Sunday morning at 8am on New Talk 1490 am

Blessings! Sista Staci