Day 156

It's Day 156 of The Red Shoe Project and I am in RED shoes celebrating my birthday!  I can't begin to thank all of the people for their warm birthday wishes... my family, my friends, all the "Rubies", and some people that I don't even know, (thanks to facebook)!

I started today, right where I left off yesterday... thinking about Kami's perspective on spiritual warfare.  I woke up rather abruptly to an awful dream.  In it, I was lost and without hope!  When my eyes opened and I realized I was dreaming,  I looked right into the corner of the room for that demon spirit that was trying to do me in before I even got out of bed.  I immediately took action and put on the full armor of God.  Kam's perspective put everything into proper context.  I took a whole different approach to things today.  

That doesn't mean the enemy just rolled over and gave up.  The day certainly had its challenges.  The opposition was relentless.  Just as I seemed to be making headway, the oppression set in again and again.  I remembered yesterday's Bible study.  Several women each shared their own particular ways of putting on the armor of God.  I tried them all.  

  BREAKTHROUGH!

- a sudden, dramatic and important discovery or development.

- a significant and dramatic overcoming of a perceived obstacle allowing the completion of a process.

"What is going on?"  I thought.  The enemy just wouldn't back off!  There can be only one reason for that.  I must be on the verge of a mighty breakthrough.  I must be right on the edge of a divine move of God.  That's always the time in which the enemy pours out all he's got -- all his lies... all his deceptions... all his temptations... all his tricks.  As the day goes on,  I find myself almost giving in.  I seem to tire easily.  I begin to question myself and where I'm at.  I begin to question God.  

Why do I do that?  It all seems so easy when there's no pressure involved. There are certainly times when I talk up a storm and appear so strong... convincing myself that I have such great faith!   LOL.   I read my Bible and pray and think, "I can do all that, no sweat!"  

But when the real test comes...  I don't even realize that I'm being tested.  And when it finally kicks in what's happening,  I find that I'm not quite up to snuff.  That is, I rarely do as well as I thought I would. 

I know that's why we have tests... so we can get a clear, accurate picture of where we're at.  Each test shows us where we're weak.  From there we can take proper action to build ourselves up.

It's only a matter of time before the re-test.  Each test is an opportunity to practice, to see what works,  to get it right.  And even then, to get it right consistently.  This is not a new message to me.  It's a mere reminder that God is working spiritual muscle in my life!

Amidst all my failing efforts,  God spoke a powerful word to me.  He kept injecting this thought into my mind throughout the entire day:  

"Dare to Believe, Gail!

Dare to Believe!"

He didn't stop.  He kept throwing that word -- that answer -- that weapon to me until I finally got a ahold of it and began to use it in my defense.  At one point, my mind was so bombarded with lies, I just started speaking it out... repeating it over and over again:  "I'm daring to believe!  I'm daring to believe!  I'm daring to believe that what God has said will come to pass!"  I found that as long as I could keep my mind filled with those words, there was no room for the lies.  The door of my mind was closed to any passing thoughts.  Amazingly, that seemed to work really well.

Between all the battles that were encountered this day, (and there were many),  there were also sprinkles of joy that put a smile on my face.  Favors from friends.  Conversations of love.  Cards and gifts.  Warm wishes and words of encouragement.  Not to mention, a wonderful birthday dinner.  There was even a bouquet of daisies!  Thank you for them all.  They made a difference.  I felt loved!

Now, I'm tired.  I'm kicking off my fatigues for the day -- that includes my RED shoes.  Who knows what tomorrow holds.  I'm ready to pick up where I left off, if necessary.  But tomorrow could also be Victory Day!  If so, I will do a victory dance.  Whatever the case.  I will be wearing my RED shoes and trusting God to bring me through, because...

I'm Daring to BELIEVE!

Gail

Day 155

Day 155 of  The Red Shoe Project has me in RED shoes and getting back into the swing of things with family and friends.  Today's Bible study was packed with testimonials, prayers and a good discussion about "Putting on the Armor of God."   Just being in that little back room of the bookstore, jam-packed with ladies who love Jesus, and discussing the things of God, is a blessing of great magnitude for me. The Spirit of God was ricochetting all over the place.  These ladies mean business!  There's no messing around here.

The Bible Study was filled to capacity today.  Every seat was taken!  Fifteen ladies were in attendance. Everyone contributed something... an idea, a story, a prayer, a scripture, a testimony, a hug.  The women are all gifted spiritually!  Every one of them has something powerful to offer.  Every week it's different.  This one feels led to pray.  That one feels the urge to give a word.  Another intercedes quietly for God to meet needs.  Most importantly, God shows up!  He never sits in one particular seat.  Instead He moves in and out and all around, with ease.  We welcome His presence.

In the far corner of the room, sitting on the end of the couch, is my dear friend Kam.  She sits in the same spot every week.  Most of the time, she's pretty quiet, taking it all in... absorbing all that God has to offer.  I love this gal!  You might not know it, at first glance,  but she is a Powerhouse for God!

You see, Kam, in all the time I've known her, (about thirteen years), has been a woman who consistently reads the Bible.  I can tell when someone is saturated in God's Word.  Not because they spout off all the answers all the time.  That's just showing off.  Kam's not like that at all.  When she chooses to speak, something strange happens.  Things get quiet.  I can feel my head turning in her direction and my ears tuning into her words.  I want to hear what she has to say.  Her thoughts and comments are important to me.  I know she has spent time with God in prayer.  I know that He speaks to her.  I know that while she's reading,  He reveals to her the secrets of His Word.  What can I say?  I want to receive what she's willing to share!  I don't know these things because she tells me.  Kam and I haven't talked all that much.  It's just spiritually obvious.  Sometimes you can judge a book by it's cover!

Maybe God has given me a Word of Knowledge about Kam -- I don't know --  But often, when I look at her,  I see God's Artillery Shelter.  She is a vessel filled with the Word of God.  And she knows how to use the scriptures and stories to fight against the enemy.  Truly she is a great handler of God's Word.
Today was no exception.  Her insight on spiritual warfare was over-the-top!  I was talking to the ladies  about those days when I wake up and the enemy is right there throwing fiery darts straight at me, before I even get out of bed.

I am the recipient of an onslaught of lies that bombard me before my head is even off the pillow.  I think to myself, "Oh no, it's going to be one of those days... better put on the armor of God!" 

But Kam sees this scenario differently.  "Gail," she says, "The enemy is quivering in the corner of your room saying, 'Oh no!  She's waking up!  It's going to be another day in which she's committed to God!  Yikes!  Let's throw whatever we've got at her to see if we can stop her before she even gets out of bed!  Now! Give it all you've got!'" 

That revelation is potentially life-changing.  I'm going to remind myself of that in the morning hours and see what a difference it actually makes!

But that's not all...  Kam is a Woman of Prayer.  She shows up an hour early and prays in the room for God to move during the Bible study.  Even when she can't stay for the study, she shows up early and prays.  She says God has commissioned her to do that.  All I can say is that since she's been doing that, our little Bible study has gone from good to GREAT!  Her prayers definitely make a difference.

Today, several woman needed prayer for healing.  We had a seat in the middle of our prayer circle and one at a time, those needing prayer sat in the chair.  Everyone in the circle laid hands on the person and prayed for their healing.  Kam happened to be beside me.  Wow!  I almost wanted to start laughing.  The contrast is unbelievable.  One minute she's as quiet as a mouse,  but when it's time to pray,  she prays with such boldness and authority!  She knows who she is in Christ and doesn't hold back!   If I need prayer, she's the one I want praying for me.  In fact, she has prayed for me, and I can attest that it's  powerful!

I told you that the women in this group are seriously gifted!  No lightweights here.  They are all heavy hitters for God!  What a blessing it is to be part of this platoon for The Lord.

My job is to wear the RED shoes.

Gail

Day 154

It's Day 154 of  The Red Shoe Project and I slept til 10 a.m.  Twelve whole hours!  Wow, I must have been really tired.  My body must have needed it.  Hopefully this means that I am fully back on Sarasota time and ready for whatever God has in store for me from here on out.

As I got caught up with household matters that needed my attention, I thought it best to have a little chat with God on some needs that will be arising.  His response rather surprised me...

"Do you have everything 

that you need for today?"

Well, yes but...

As I puttered around my house in my RED slippers,  doing little things, here and there, God found it a perfect opportunity to chat with me on how He handles arising needs.

"Your way is to do things well in advance."

 He proclaimed.

"My way is to do things right on time!"

Am I supposed to find that amusing?  Because I don't.  It's just another ripe opportunity for my flesh to cringe and cry out...
I hate waiting to the last minute! 
But, I must admit, all feelings aside,  "the last minute"  is just another way of saying, "right on time!"  It's not early, and it's not late.  So I guess I have nothing to complain about.

One time when I was setting up my home office, I was in need of purchasing an office printer.  I talked with the Lord and insisted that I had to have the money to get that printer that day.  I don't think He specifically provided for that, but somehow, I maneuvered this and switched that around, and managed to find the money to get that printer right away, regardless.  Once I had it in my possession, I brought it home and it sat, in the box, for several weeks, unpacked.

Shortly after that, I was asking God about a property that He had promised me.  "God, do you think I could move into that property soon?  I need that space now!  It's perfect for what I want to do with my business!" 

"Like the printer?" He commented.  "You needed that NOW and it's still sitting in the box, untouched.  The property will be available when it's the right time... not one minute sooner, not one minute late!"

If you've been a Christian for any length of time, you've heard the saying, 

"God is never late,

He's seldom early,

He's always on right on time!"  

That's his  "M.O."   Modus Operandi   or  Method of Operation. 

Tonight I attended a presentation given by a friend entitled, "How Creation Points to a Divine Creator."  All sorts of facts were presented regarding the importance of specific measurements.  For example, if the gravitational pull was any stronger or any weaker than what it is, we'd have some serious problems existing.  Or if the rotation of the earth was any faster or slower, things wouldn't be as they are.  If the sun was any closer or farther away, the result is no life on earth.  The examples of God's precision seemed endless.

"Precision" refers to exact & accurate measurements, calculations, specifications and details. 

All this made me realize that God wasn't right on time just for the fun of it.  He's right on time because that's critically important to the working of His plan for my life.  A little early or a little late could change everything, throw things off,  create undesired results. I'm getting the feeling that God's got a reason for everything.  He just doesn't always share that with me.

So as I check off another day of The Red Shoe Project, I head off to bed, my head spinning, as I am reminded that God's ways aren't my ways for a reason.

Still getting adjusted to God's time clock,

Gail

Day 153

Day 153 of  The Red Shoe Project is a day of resting in RED shoes.  To be honest, the RED shoes have been on and off throughout the day.  On to walk the dog.   Off while doing a few things around the house.   On to go to church.  Off to lounge around and relax.  I'm taking this day to allow my body to get caught up with the rest of me.  Mind, Body and Spirit... I need them all to be in proper alignment, with me and with one another.

In my rest, I've come to notice that God has been speaking something to me over and over again these past few days.  Evidently it's something that's important enough that it keeps coming to my attention, ever so briefly, here and there.  I think the busyness of getting back into the swing of things, has taken precedence, but now this "word"  is  finding it's way to the top of my priority list.

Isn't it funny that God can be speaking something to us and it somehow it gets jumbled about in our thought lives before we actually get a grasp of it?  It's like when you throw a pair of sneakers into the dryer.  The load looks just as it always does... a big pile of wet clothes.  It all blends together.  You think nothing of it.  But as the dryer bin goes around and around, you can hear them clunking away.  You're reminded that this dryer load is a little different than usual.  There's footwear in there that needs your special attention.

So what is this matter that needs my attention?

 It's direction from God regarding my prayer life.  He is asking me to... 

Pray about everything 

that crosses my mind.  

"In everything, through prayer and petition, 

with thanksgiving, make your requests known unto God..."

Philippians 4:6

So often, things cross my mind, and I think, "I should pray about that." Sometimes I do,  but most of the time,  I just think about it for a while.  I figure I will pray about it later -- when I'm praying.  I hate to admit it, but sometimes I do pray about it later, and many times it's just forgotten about.  Does that ever happen to you?

I've come to realize that THINKING about something and PRAYING about something are two entirely different things.  Thinking about something involves me, alone.  I review the thought in my mind.  I analyze it from different angles.  I explore my options and opinions.  Maybe I even decide to do something about it.  When it comes to praying, however, two are involved:  Me and God.   I am speaking...  and God is listening.  I am making a request known to God...  and He is receiving it.

Hebrews 11:6 says this...

"For without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for anyone who comes to God (in prayer) must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of him who diligently seeks Him."

When I come to God in prayer,  I am exercising my faith, believing that God will not only hear my prayer, but take some sort of action... that there will be a response, of sorts, on His part...  even if it's not what I think it will be,  I pray EXPECTING results.   Hmmm.  That's quite different than when I just  "think" about it.  Even if there is potential action taken in both cases.  Thoughts involve my response, where prayers involve His response.

It seems to me that "thinking about things"  become MISSED OPPORTUNITIES in which God could have done something, but wasn't given the chance.  Holding onto thoughts and ideas is like me going to the post office and mailing a letter, only it gets unknowingly dropped on the mailroom floor and kicked under a machine.  It's lost and forgotten about.  It's never delivered.  Now there's a fresh revelation of...  "It got lost in the mail!"

Oh my!  That's not good.  I don't want to even think about how many times that's happened.  Am I a postman that's been negligent of her responsibilities?  I didn't even know that I was doing that!   

The other day,  I asked God to open my eyes that I might find something very important... to bring that missing thing to the surface for me to see... but I was talking about something else.  What's this then?   Has God decided, that while He's bringing what I think is so important to the surface - to my attention,  that He'll  make the most of the moment and bring what He thinks is important to light as well?  LOL.

In searching for today's blog pics, I discovered this picture of letters stuffed into a stone wall.  Apparently, the Israeli postal service sorts over two million pieces of mail daily.  Some of these letters come addressed to God.  The unopened letters to God are collected and delivered to God and deposited at the Western wall a few times a year.

I'm ever so mindful of the fact that God is with me 24/7.  He has encouraged me to talk to Him continuously.  I've often wondered how I could possibly come up with so much to say.   Is this His attempt to give me some conversation points?  

* So as people pop into 

my mind and I think 

about them... I should take that moment or minute to ask God to bless them or give them favor or help them with their problem.

* When I drive by a car accident, I should ask God to intervene...  to bring healing and life to a situation that could be deadly... to bring 

comfort, strength and wisdom to all involved.

* When a difficult situation I'm involved in fills my thoughts, I can ask God to help me see it from His perspective... to reveal to me what I'm not seeing... to give me wisdom on how to deal with it. 

* When I hear a news report on the television or radio, I can take a moment to ask God to work out His perfect plan in those matters.  

* When thoughts are flooding my mind, right and left, I can ask God what He wants to do with them and pray in the direction He gives me.  

James 5:16 says...

"The prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective!"

Okay... I think I'm getting the concept here.  I can do this!  I will give it a try.  Instead of thinking about things so much... Instead of holding onto thoughts and ideas... Instead of letting the ball drop with me... I'm going to take whatever pops into my mind and ACTIVATE it through prayer.

  

 I'm going to drop the letters 

into God's mailbox.  

Today I have become a Mail Carrier for God.

In RED shoes, of course.

Gail