Temptation to Quit

As I continued my biking this morning, I found myself unprepared for the cooler weather. It was 61 degrees with a slight breeze and I was in shorts and light long sleeve top…very chilly from what we have had. My first thought was to cut this ride short and go home. And then I heard the voice in my head say, “why do you give up so easily…when an activity is a little uncomfortable why do you think you have an option of quitting.” So I continued riding. I made a conscience choice to ignore the negative voice and to listen to the positive. I rode hard in order to build up some body heat…and then found the positive in that…I thanked God for the ability to ride after all I am not 20…or 30 or 40…I could keep going but you get it…and I found the positive in my agility to ride (no matter what the temperature is). During my ride, I realized that many times we do the same with our “God time”…when we have the time or it is convenient and comfortable we spend time praying, studying or just being in one with the Lord. However, we do not stand firm when our schedules get hectic or we become overwhelmed with challenges and life issues. Yet, that is when we need to focus on God and Jesus. We can accomplish our goals with the help of our Lord. When being tested in our life challenges it is imperative that we continue trusting God and leaning on Jesus. So today I pray we do not give in to the challenge or quit when an activity is uncomfortable; but that we work hard, embrace the challenge and enjoy the prospect of over coming difficult roadblocks. Remember that “satan” is smiling when we allow the negative to have more power than God’s plan. Deuteronomy 31:67 Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. What Blessings we receive as we live our lives as Christians who have the power of Jesus. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Invitation

Well, I have to tell you riding my bike with tires full of air was so enjoyable. I could not believe the difference it made…therefore, I have decided I am not so out of shape. :) As I rode through the neighborhood I am once again admiring the yards and homes. What caught my attention was how inviting many houses looked. They were manicured with flowered bushed and beautiful trees that adorned the driveways and beckoned you to visit. Then I would see others with over grown bushes that hid the windows and it was forlorn looking, neglected and uninviting. It made me wonder if our spiritual home is welcoming. When we begin our day are we inviting God to be part of it or are we keeping our doors closed to him. God tells us He will not enter unless invited; He will also not be part of our lives if we choose to neglect our spiritual obligations. We must follow the commands of God and to love one another as Jesus loves us. I pray we are giving the praises to God and thanking Jesus for our Salvation. When living life with Jesus I pray those around us will see the light that shines within. Let us shine as Christians with the light of God in our hearts and souls. Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Let us walk with the Lord and show the joy we have being a Christian. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Hard Work

As I was riding my bike I realized my tires needed some air. They weren’t real low, however just low enough to make biking somewhat more work than usual. Now I realize it is also more difficult if I only ride a couple of times a week… :) What came to my mind however is our personal life can also be more challenging if our spiritual life is low on devotion to prayer and study. When people are stressed and they want to control their lives…it is important to remember that we are not in control and it is our faith in God that gives us strength and courage to allow God to handle the situation. Just as I need to fill my tires with more air; we as Christians need to fill our souls with prayers, supplications and anticipation of God’s promises. He hears our concerns and knows our challenges…with trust and confidence we are able to live the life God has planned for us. With our hearts full of God’s Grace we can accomplish what is before us and more. Let us remember we are given amazing gifts and skills. They do us no good however it we allow the evil to steal our joy. Knowing we can do all things through Christ allows us to achieve our goals. Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. I pray we soar like the eagles in our faith, devotion and prayer life. It is with God’s Grace and Jesus’ sacrifice that we are given the gifts of Love, Peace and Joy. Let us spread the love. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Different Stages

When doing our Bible studies we found the followers of Jesus in different stages of faith. Some were total believers and some were not sure. It isn’t too difficult to understand this as they did not have the “hind sight” that we in the 21st century have. Yet, even family and friends are in different stages of their faith. Now don’t misunderstand we all believe. It is just we are in different stages of our total commitment to studying the Bible, prayers and total trust in Jesus. Many times we put our lives before our trust, our prayers and our commitment. We must remember to allow God to guide our days…If we are not on a one to one with the Lord the evil of this world can slip in the back door and influence our thoughts and actions. Knowing the Bible is like having a road map to a healthy spiritual life. We learn what God expects and how to live our lives. We don’t take the easy way unless it has been cleared of evil entrapments and lined with the Angels of righteousness. As each of us grow in our faith, become stronger in our commitments to prayer and Bible study we become true followers of Jesus. What a blessing it is when we can say our faith is lived out in our daily lives. We do what is expected and valued by God and not what the world may value. God Blesses our actions through the miracles of each day given and He Blesses our spirit by giving us His Grace, Peace and Joy. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 The Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. I pray we continue as true followers of God and Jesus as we recommit our life to prayers, Christian fellowship and Bible study. It is through our works of study that we will enjoy that personal relationship with Jesus. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Biblical Sayings

Are you a trivia bug? Do you love finding the meanings of phrases or sayings? Well, I do and it is always amazing to me when I find the origin of some saying or phrase. I have found over a hundred Biblical sayings that we now use on a day to day basis. So, tonight as I “burn the midnight oil” and just for the fun of it I thought I would write with some of those phrases and you will probably be saying, “seeing is believing”. And although “I am not my brother’s keeper” I will do my best not to be a “wolf in sheep’s clothing”, but show you several. I certainly hope this won’t be the “blind leading the blind” or that you finally say “this is the pits.” When I am finished I trust you won’t be saying “Whatever became of ___?” God give us so much and without really paying attention to our speech he has even given us wonderful phrases. As I was preparing to write tonight “I hit the nail on the head”, because it is not “just an old wives tale” and besides “a little bird told me”, this would be a good idea. Although I am “at my wits end”, I will not “give up the ghost”, but I am working hard and will “not bite the dust” until “my cup runneth over”. Now I am sure one of will wonder if it is time I am “put out to pasture” or if I am “as old as Methuselah”, however “I don’t wanna hear a peep out of you”, just because we are not “seeing eye to eye”. After all “I heard it straight from the horses’ mouth” that we should “stop being Doubting Thomases” and “let the chips fall where they may”. I pray you work “by the sweat of your brow, you don’t eat the “forbidden fruit” because that could be a “stumbling block” toward “the truth shall set you free.” So “stop raising Cain”, remember “money is the root of all evil” and “it is better to give than to receive” even if you “won’t lift a finger” to help. “Well…more or less” I am finished and you may be saying “Good riddance” and “I’ve never seen anything like it”…but what’s special is God has a sense of humor and we are blessed with the ability to laugh at our lives and appreciate being silly once in a while. Psalm 145:13The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made. May God Bless You and Keep You! Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

3 Words

I have three small tiles that say “live, laugh and love”. I have them in front of my computer to remind me how each day should be spent. They are colorful and decorated with hearts, which make them look joyful. They are only three simple words but when put together they have such meaning and it shows how God would like us to live. God has such promises for us. He wants so much for us. Do we experience all that await us? I wonder. Do we live with the promises of God in our hearts? Do we Laugh with pure joy and do we Love unconditionally? Our lives can be filled beyond our expectations if we allow God and Jesus to direct our paths. Loving, Trusting and Believing are also three simple words yet when we put them with Jesus the meaning is powerful. Jesus loved us beyond any endurance we could survive; all he expects from us is to trust and to believe. Developing a strong faith through prayer, Christian fellowship and Bible study allows us to love, trust and believe. My heart fills with joy when I think of Jesus and His love. We are blessed, protected and changed through our relationship with Him. I pray we remember to Live life with God’s wisdom, Laugh with supreme joy and Love as Jesus loves us. 1 John 4:16 We know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Who ever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. Let us live, laugh and love all the while loving, trusting and believing. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Complacency

Well I must confess today is my first day back on the bike…oh, my…how can a person get out of shape so fast? I must tell you that after the first few minutes I was ready to turn around and put the bike away… However, as I continued my ride, which was more work that pleasure I realized our Christian walk can be the same way…it can be work…we may want to become complacent…as it can be uncomfortable. God wants us to grow in our personal walk with the Lord…this is not always easy as life can get in the way. We have challenges that stretch our endurance. Many years ago I repeated the Prayer of Jabez daily…I remember saying, “Please enlarge my territories”. It is important to understand when I was referring to territories I expected my life to stay the same…so when I was smacked with the greatest challenge of my life I was shocked. Now when praying this prayer I had no idea what was coming and yes, God did enlarge my territories. I felt unprepared. The challenge was insurmountable (I thought); however my life, my faith and my territories grew beyond my wildest dreams… Here I am several years later loving my life, my God and Savior Jesus Christ and the opportunities that have opened to me. Yes, my territories were expanded but more importantly my relationship with Jesus grew into a very personal relationship. Jesus is the “territory.” I believe when praying this prayer I was asking (without knowing it) for God to bring me closer to Jesus and in order to do this I must be prepared and pruned to be open to the new me. John 16:23-24 I tell you the truth, you will ask the father directly, and He will grant your request because you use my name. Ask, using My name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy. As you rejoice in the day pray for enlarged territories and then be prepared for God to change you, your life and your relationship with Jesus. Alleluia! Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors