Satan, you don't impress me.

Often times, I do believe it is true that satan impresses Christians with the problems
they face.
Doubt, fear, discouragment, anxiety, impatience, etc--all these things are suppressors.
They suppress your spiritiual growth and furthermore give you a defeated attitude.
Tooday however, I want to help you GET UP & Bounce back in faith!  Come hail or
high water, remain in Christ, let nothing move you from the solid rock you stand on
because...
"we are more than conquerors through him that loves us" (Romans 8:37)

This past Sunday we had a guest speaker come to our church and it was definitely an
eye opener. I want to share with you all, what I've learned.

In the book of John, chapter 5 to be exact there is a famous story of the "healing at the pool"
At this healing poor there laid a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered.
They were waiting for the moving of the waters, (an angel of the Lord would go down at certain
seasons into the pool and stir up the water ; whoever was first, after the stirring up of the water,
stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.) 
There was man was there who had been ill for 38 years! When Jesus saw him lying there, and
knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He asked him, a very important
question that I feel like He is still asking people these days, He asked "Do you wish to get well?"
The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is
stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me." Jesus said to him,
"Get up, pick up your pallet and walk." Immediately the man became well, and picked up
 his pallet and began to walk!

When I first read this story I thought, wow, that man waited 38 years!
Talk about patience!  Sometimes we Christians are so impatient that we
give up after 38 minutes! (You know it's true.)
Anyways, this story is so relevant to us today. When Jesus asked the man
 "Do you want to get well?" notice what man replied with--He said,
Sir..blah blah blah blah (excuses). That is to the T, how we are as humans. We want help, but
then enters in fear, doubt, discouragment and everything else the devil consumes your mind
with to doubt God. To make you disbelieve He can help you. He is the father of all lies..

Back to the story-
Today, you may not find yourself in need of a physical healing, or be physically sick, you can still
 be considered sick --when you create your own negative situations. Is it true or not true
that you make yourself sick when you worry?Or is that just me? Is it true or not true that you
make yourself sick with wrong thinking, wrong believing, wrong
speaking, or is that just me?  So today Jesus asks you, Do you want to get well?
If your answer is yes, then stop making excuses and start believing according to the promises
we have in Christ Jesus. I believe that confession brings possession. What I mean by that
is we are called to confess or rather "speak of things as though they were" (Romans 4:17)
When you speak as though something were what you are doing is speaking in faith. Your
situation may not be what you are proclaiming, but speak life into your situations, not
defeat.
There is someone reading this today that is believing God for a financial miracle, right now
you need to begin speaking positive things over your banking account. Your words are
powerful, but FAITH behind those powerful words is the icing on the cake.
When you speak things make sure you are speaking with faith, let there be NO room
for doubt.
"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain,
'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he
says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in
prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:22-24

I guess I have grasped ahold of this faith in prayer thing and I want you to get ahold of it too
we as children of God have the power through God's Holy Spirit to change a situation.
God has given us the same authority, He
gave Jesus while on earth. That same power, we have it! Glory be to God. I am not saying
that if you ask God, please please let me wake up and there be a BMW in my front lawn
that it will happen, because God also knows the intentions of our hearts. He knows the
reasons why we present our requests to Him. If you ask God, please let this person
I dislike have a terrible day tomorrow--do I really believe God is going to answer this?
He can of course because He can do anything, but is it really Christ-like? Not at all.
The bible says in John 15:7 that
"IF you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will
be given you."
What this says to me is that if I remain in Christ, I meditate on His word, I keep
His words close to my heart then I SHOULD then know what to ask for. Take the
example I just gave, "God please let this person I dislike have a terrible day tomorrow,"
Well if I truly knew God's word I would know that this is not something He is pleased
with, for we are to love our own enemies! Does that make sense?
My opinion is, if we can keep ourselves fed by His word, keep our eyes fixed
on Him, then when we pray we'll number 1 know what to pray for and number 2 have
the faith we need to pray our way through the situation.

Lastly, I want to help you proclaim victory over your struggle.
Say--"God even though my situation is what it is today and my physical eyes can not
see it, help my spiritual eyes have a vision of success through my battles, and so
 I declare that___________ and you fill in the blank. Brothers & sisters one of the
most important things you can do is speak life & blessings into
your situation. Speak positive things over your family, friends, even struggles.
Remember to speak things as though they were (as if it's already happened and thank
God in advance! Have that kinda faith!) and please don't be like this man waiting to be
healed for 38 years, when you can have your victory today. God's asked you today if
you'd like to be well? So do you?--don't make excuses like this
man, don't blame others, instead believe God for a miracle today. You have said it,
 therefore you have it, in Jesus name--you are called to have
victory in your life and authority over your situations. Jesus has heard enough excuses,
but today He is saying______ put your name in the blank "GET UP! and walk.."
but walk in the life of faith & victory. Don't let satan impress you anymore,
it's your time to reign!

A fogged or clear path.

This morning I woke up thinking, I need to blog. Writing is a bit of a theraputic thing for me,
 So to lift my own spirits I like to dive into a devotional or allow God
to speak something to me, so I can in turn pour out into other's lives. I actually had nothing
on my mind to blog about, but I knew God would show me something soon.
This morning as I was heading off to work, I could barely see anything. The roads
were completely fogged over. It was blurry, messy, and nobody would be able to
see clearly.
Cars would all of a sudden come out of no where and I found myself saying, Lord
get me out of thisFOG! PATH
A few minutes later there was clarity. I could see clearly. The sun said hello, it was a nice
warm feeling. I could now see what was straight ahead of me. No more guessing, no
 wondering, I could see!
I began thinking of this and how it is a reality in our spiritual lives. While I was driving
 in the fog, it was honestly a little frightening--not having a clue where I was going, not being
 able to see if I was in the correct lane, or even heading the the right direction...
I never want to live my spiritual life in fog. I never want to feel that way again.

Today, I thinkof all the souls out there, that are walking down that foggy path. It's so
 unsure of,so unclear, and it's like they are drifting having no direction. That path will
one day cometo a dead end...
Then there is the another path, a path that I choose, because it is a choice.
"Stand at the crossroads and look;

ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, "I will not walk in it."
Jeremiah 6:16


This path leads to righteousness, it has no dead end, but rather leads us to eternal life.
This path is clear, certain, and visible to everything. Nothing hidden. Which do you
choose? Do you choose this one?

Or this one?

God's Word says, "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. Matthew 7:13 & 14

Because of sin in this world, God foresaw there was going to be
those rebelling souls that would not enter the narrow gate. That path is narrow,
just like the picture. It's funny how symbolic the pics are to my blog today.
Shouldn't God's path be more broad? You would think, but few chose this road or
 lifestyle. I am a very honest and transparent person. I don't hide anything from anyone I am
who I am and with that being said, being a Christian for me is not always easy. Sure,
you have more favor with God and such, but It is definitely
a daily struggle against my flesh and spirit. They are enemies.
 This path takes hard work & dedication, and many
times that is why people fall out. They choose the easy road, which is more broad,
but oh so foggy!
Today I want you to join me in prayer. Prayer for those walking down the wrong
path. Prayer for those drifting through this life without direction. God has called us
for a purpose and sadly some will never find it. Help me interceed, will you? There
are so many lost and broken souls that need the path of clearness.
They need your voice. You'll never know whose path you can help
change and lead to eternal life.
With love & prayer,
Est

Rescue

 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;

he heard my cry for mercy.

 Because he turned his ear to me,

I will call on him as long as I live.

The cords of death entangled me,

the anguish of the grave came upon me;

I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.

Then I called on the name of the LORD :

"O LORD, save me!"

The LORD is gracious and righteous;

our God is full of compassion.

The LORD protects the simplehearted;

when I was in great need, he saved me.

Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has

 been good to you.

For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from

 death, my eyes from tears,

my feet from stumbling,

that I may walk before the LORD

in the land of the living.

Psalm 116

Today, I saw Gods love, and He showed me in the most simple kinda way.

For the past few days I've been...just blah and have been needing my Father to come to my rescue.

You know, when I think about it..it doesn't matter how grown up I think I am, in God's eyes,

I'm still His little girl.

Today I started thinking about how many times God has rescued me, stitched up my wounds, and

healed them completely...and shortly after He showed me this:

Adalie & I had just finished some dinner when I began running some water to do the dishes.

Addie came up to me and asked if she could play with a couple oranges, she had just seen

some juggling on T.V. I giggled and handed her 2 rather large size oranges. She headed off to

the living room and I stood hand washing the dishes. It wasn't but 2 minutes later that I heard

"MOMMY!" and a cry...

My heart sank, I dropped the plate, left the water running and made a mad dash around the
corner to find my Addie sitting on the

floor holding her face. I ran to her and lifted her in my arms. I moved her hands only to see that

she was fine, one of the oranges had actually hit her in the nose and I thought it was an eye,

good lordy I about had a heart attack. I'm sure it did hurt, so I began soothing her, holding

her tight and rockin her back and forth. I whispered, "shh, it's ok Addie, you'll be just fine"
she immediately looked up at me with a look of, ok I believe you, even though she probably
still felt a little sting of pain, even though she couldn't see if her face was clear of blood or not,
she trusted me. She believed that I could see her situation wasn't as bad as she thought and
most of all, she had faith in me. She dried her tears and before too long

she jumped right outta my lap and went on about her business. I sat there for a minute smiling
 as I watched her walk away. I got off the couch to return to my dishes when it hit me...

Jesus, that is the way you are with me, with us, with your children.

You see when we fall, or our world comes crashing down we don't have to feel like we're

too grown, or we've got this--we can cry out like children to our Father and I promise He will

 make a fast dash your way! He immediately picks us up, and holds us close while the

storm & it's winds pass on through. Next time you fall, remember this-you have a Father

 you can call on. He will come to your rescue, and when He whispers

"It's ok my child, you'll be just fine"

listenly closely, and believe... even though you can still feel the pain, even though you can't
see the situation look different,
do just like Addie and. believe.

Book Jesus Today!

It seems like I have been away forever! For those loyal readers my apologies, I was out of
town on vacation in Broken Bow, OK so maybe you'll forgive me now : )
This vacation brought more to me then just a relaxing time.
(though we were pretty active, it was nice to relax my mind) Did I just say relax my mind?
I take it back. I'm always thinking... Here are some pics:
Our Cabin

The River

And here I am...thinking.

So for most people vacation is a time to get away. I always wonder get away from what?

Life? Work? Kids? Tired of their everyday? I'm sure everyone has their reasons

and maybe it's just to enjoy good family time like I got to this weekend, but while I was

having "me" time  I thought of reasons why people seek out vacations so much. Now granted,

while I was on vacation  it was nice to visit a new place, make memories, view

the beautiful scenery and be away from work for a little while--all that was extra
my main reason to go on vacation was to enjoy and maximize time with my family.

I looked up a few sites to see what were other peoples' reasons to take a vacation and one

of the answers I repeatedly saw over & over was "To Escape"....

Escape is such a deep word. It means to get free. There are people that are daily seeking out

freedom. Freedom from their jobs, their lifestyles, their troubles, even freedom from themselves. 

I remember a time in my life when I wasn't free. It was the most depressing time in my life.

I wanted to disappear, break loose, run for miles without stopping, but Jesus...well,

He set me free!!!!

I am no longer seeking something I'm missing. I'm found.

I am no longer trying to buy what the world offers. I've been bought.

I am no longer feeling caged up and confound to my old ways. I. am. free.

Don't misunderstand me there isn't anything wrong with vacationing, what concerns

me is that need people have to escape, go away, and get free. I know how amazing it is to vacation,

it's nice to be away;however, I can't take a vacation every month, every year, every

2 years so what do I do with myself when I need to escape?

I book a Jesus Get-a-way!! and guess what? It is paid for- all inclusive! The only requirement
is an open & tired heart.

I want to encourage someone today, if you are feeling worthless, tired of this world, empty,
restless, feeling anything but free--come to Jesus. For HE says,

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:8
"For I satisfy the weary ones and refresh everyone who languishes." Jeremiah 31:25
"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink." John 7:37

With this Jesus get-a-way you'll go where no one else can take you. Go renew your body,
refresh your mind and recieve ultimate peace--guarenteed package deal  : )
BONUS: You can enjoy this wonderful experience daily!
Book Jesus today! Only offered for a limited time, tomorrow isn't a promise.

**I know this may all sound cheesey, but it's the truth.
There is no better feeling then to get alone with God and feel Him lift the weight off my
shoulders. What's more amazing is that He gladly carries my burdens! Our burdens!
He can do what no vacation can do because vacations come and go, but Jesus lasts
forever and brings true restoration internally. Trust God on this, cast your cares on Him and take
a step in faith. Don't be scared, one thing I can really promise you is that He hears you, and
He does care about everything you go through. Book Him today and put your name on His
calendar everyday. Make Jesus your escape. God bless Est**

Enriched Roots

This past monday I took a day off to spend it alone with my wonderful husband. We had

such a blast. We loved all the scenery in Austin! We visited the Texas campus (had some great,

laughs by the way : ), we ate lunch at Chipotle--the biggest burrito ever mind you! ha

Then we went to the Capitol Building , took pictures and just goofed around. After the busy

morning we decided to take a little sit down break so we headed over to this little park area

with a nice stream that ran through it..

I sat underneath a tree for a spilt second to catch my breath after hanging on a tree branch; and

when I looked up I saw the most beautiful tree standing right in front of me. The one you see above.

I immediately pulled out my phone and snapped the picture. It's funny how God knows in

what ways I learn best. Phyiscally & Visually.

He reminded me of this verse:

He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does

not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of

drought and never fails to bear fruit."

Jerimiah 17:8

When the Lord began to speak to me He wanted me to  notice the branches, the color, the leaves,

it's strength, it's size...I was to be the "He" that Jerimiah describes as a Chrisitan.

This tree has enriched, well nourished, deepened roots. Because of its supply

of good water this tree is planted, it's not moving anywhere, it's grown to its size because

it has all the supplements it needs. The right amount of water, dirt, sun etc. It's a strong

tree. Christian.

I believe at that moment God was speaking to me.

"Be like this tree Esther. Be Strong. Be Big. Be unmoveable. And when the going gets tough

and the heat comes down on you- enrich your roots with my stream of living water.

Stay in the word when you're being tested, tempted, messed with for I your God have

all the supplements you need to stay nourished. strong. big. and unmoveable. If you'll

trust what I say, meditate on My Word- you'll never see drought for my stream of living water

is close to your roots. Do as I say, and never grow weary. Quit your worrying.

 Never let the world change your leaves,

but always stay nourished in My word and you'll bear the fruit I ask. The fruit of My Spirit."

Though I thought all this silently, I realize that is can be applicable to everyone. The truth is

that without Christ giving us the nourishment, (His Word, Church,

Chrisitian relationships that keep us accountable) I believe

our leaves will dry up, our color attitude will change, we will grow weak, never grow to

our fullest potentional and one day die off only to be cut down. BUT If we can grow in Christ,

strengthen our relationship, draw into Him daily, and stay in His Words those roots will be so

deep and enriched that the flow of living water will ALWAYS supply our needs. When

the trouble comes just as the Lord says and you feel the heat blazing down on you,

remember His living water will keep you alive and give you the strength to endure the

fire or the patience you need until HE puts the fire out. That's the living water I thirst for.

~Esther