New Beginnings...

January 2009 - a time of new beginnings!

I remember in January 2008, I considered 'New Beginnings' as the name of my new coaching practice. It seemed to make sense, since January is a popular time for people to envision new goals, revamp older ones and believe with renewed anticipation for a brighter, more successful year than the last.

As I reminisce I realize the wonder of this first year. As I sought the Lord for direction/guidance, He gave me a different name, From the Heart Christian Life Coach, a more fitting name for He knew what He had planned for me. He taught me many lessons this year, and showed me His miraculous power as He worked through me and I was blessed to see lives changed, one heart at a time!

So now as we look forward to 2009, I can’t help but ask (it’s the coach in me :-)

• Have you thought about your successes in 2008? Why not list them and thank God for them!
• What are your goals/visions for 2009?
• What changes would you like to make spiritually, personally and/or professionally?
• What assurances do you have for success in these areas?

My testimony is that when we yield/surrender to God ~ our thoughts and plans ~ before making decisions and setting the course ~ God is faithful and we are successful and blessed beyond belief! And, since God created us all uniquely with plan and purpose, I encourage you to yield/surrender yourself by asking HIM to show you HIS vision for you this year! Remember, you are His Masterpiece!

If He has already given you a vision, ask Him to show you the steps to be taken this year before moving one foot forward. He will help you identify and realize your goal(s) beyond your wildest expectations. The Bible says His ways are higher than ours. So, I encourage you to seek God .... tell Him the desires of your heart [yes, He knows them already, but share them with Him anyway] ~ He longs for relationship with you.

And as you seek Him, remember to Listen to His still small voice, as He shares His wisdom and direction for you. Write them down and pray over them every day. Ask God to make a way where there seems to be no way. If God placed a desire in your heart, you can expect with excitement a wondrous outcome! New beginnings with God as your pilot.

And if you need someone to prayerfully help you put order to the goals/visions and steps, please consider From the Heart, Christian Life Coach.

May you expect with childlike anticipation God's bountiful blessings each and every day as you look to Him. God's love to you and yours,

Michelle Lord Samples
From the Heart, Christian Life Coach
http://www.fromtheheartlifecoach.com/

Scripture resources:

Jeremiah 29:11-13 "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”

Isaiah 55:8-9 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."

Jeremiah 33:2-3 “This is what the Lord says—the Lord who made the earth, who formed and established it, whose name is the Lord: Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come."

Psalm 37:4-5 "Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you."

Psalm 139:15-16 "My frame was not hidden from You when I was being formed in secret [and] intricately and curiously wrought [as if embroidered with various colors] in the depths of the earth [a region of darkness and mystery]. Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them."

Psalm 18:30-31 "God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock?"

Proverbs 16:9 “A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure."

Proverbs 19:21 "Many plans are in a man's mind, but it is the Lord's purpose for him that will stand."

Romans 12:2 "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."

Luke 9:35 "Then there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is My Son, My Chosen One or My Beloved; listen to and yield to and obey Him!"

Proverbs 16:3 "Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.

From the heart....

What a year ~ what a month! We hear about and feel the effect of the economy's ups and downs, weather changes/disasters and scandals. We may think about our own personal struggles or losses this year.... and then, oh yes, it's Christmas time.... could life be any more stressful?

But in the midst of all that, I encourage you to take a moment.... take a l..o..n..g, deep breath.... be still.... and think back on all the blessings of this year! Oh, yes, dig deep for no matter how devastating this year may have felt to you personally, there are many positive, precious moments interweaving through each day ~ miracles in fact! Remember a smile, a hug, a helping hand, encouragement, a friend, answered prayers, breakthrough, healing ... lift your head and look around you ... there are many blessings. Recapture those moments in the midst of today's chaos. In fact, write them down.... savor and appreciate them for they are priceless gifts!

And oh yes, Christmas ~ December 25th, a date that represents and celebrates the birth of Jesus. "And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 "For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord!" Luke 2:11 The ultimate gift from God to you!

So, from my heart to yours, Merry Christmas!
I thank God for YOU and for every blessing ~ every precious moment ~ a gift from Him. I pray you sense God’s real and unconditional love for you today and always (refer to last month's blog). No greater gift than His love ~ every moment of every day!

From the Heart, Christian Life Coach
http://www.fromtheheartlifecoach.com/

Love ... what does it really mean?

My husband and I recently took a course on Love. After finishing the course we realized how little we knew about/understood God's Love and acknowledged that we would never be the same as we ask God to help us love, as HE loves us.

As part of our homework, we were asked to read the scriptures and explanations below - everyday - so that little by little we would recognize when we were not operating in Love!
Wow! I encourage you to read this well known scripture with fresh eyes as we all learn to give the gift of Love ~ this season and always!

1 Corinthians 13:4-8, 13 (Amplified):

Love endures long and is patient and kind; Love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.

It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].

It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.

Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].

Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth].

And so faith, hope, love abide [faith--conviction and belief respecting man's relation to God and divine things; hope--joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; Love--true affection for God and man, growing out of God's love for and in us], these three; but the greatest of these is Love.

Love suffers long: I have patience with imperfect people.

Love is kind: I am active in doing good.

Love does not envy: Since I am non-possessive and non-competitive, I actually want other people to get ahead hence I do not parade myself.

Love is not puffed up: I do not treat others arrogantly; I do not behave rudely, but I display good manners and courtesy.

Love does not seek its own: I do not insist on my own rights and demand precedence; rather I am UNselfish.

Love is not provoked: I am not irritable or touchy, rough or hostile, but am graceful under pressure.

Love thinks no evil: I do not keep an account of wrongs done to me; instead, I erase resentments.

Love does not rejoice in iniquity: I do not find satisfaction in the shortcomings of others and I do not spread an evil report, rather I rejoice in the truth, aggressively advertising the good.

Love bears all things: I defend and hold other people up.

Love believes the best about others: I credit them with good intentions, and am not suspicious.

Love hopes all things: I never give up on people, but I affirm their future.

Love endures all things: I persevere and remain loyal to the end.

Love, Gods love in me, Never Fails!

Thank you, Victory Bible Training for opening our eyes!

Michelle Lord Samples
From the Heart, Christian Life Coach
www.fromtheheartlifecoach.com

Love ...

Jesus said, “The most important commandment is this: ... you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:29-31 NLT)

How do we love our neighbor as ourselves when someone has seriously offended us, or deeply pained us in a life changing way? The answer is Forgiveness!

I believe forgiving and loving go hand-in-hand, and are a process only possible with God’s help ~ because of His profound, unconditional love for us. But, how?

* Take inventory: Ask God to show us areas where unforgiveness rules.
* Ask, and receive God’s forgiveness of our own sins, mistakes and blunders.
* Know that we have God’s strength, wisdom and ultimate love which enables us to forgive others.
* Pray blessings for those who have hurt us ~ with a sincere heart.
* Love our neighbor as ourselves, because we can love as God loves us!

Unforgiveness is often time the root of anger, defensiveness, cynicism, isolation, inability to trust, addiction, or illness. I pray that with God's strength, wisdom and love, you will release the poison that hurts YOU, allowing love, peace and forgiveness to fill you!

Remember what Christ went through – mockery, torture, death. Scripture says that when he went to the cross HE bore our grief, weakness, sorrow, sin, and disease so that we would suffer no more. Can we dismiss His ultimate sacrifice for us and defy the principal commands because we believe our offense/pain is far worse than anything Jesus went through. Ponder upon the unconditional love God has for us through His Son and ask Him to give you the grace to forgive those who have hurt you and allow the love of Jesus to heal your broken heart and make you whole ~ complete freedom, able to be loved and to love!

Michelle Lord Samples
Certified Christian Life Coach
www.fromtheheartlifecoach.com

Resources:

He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. Isaiah 53:2-6 (NLT)

Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds. You have not yet struggled and fought agonizingly against sin, nor have you yet resisted and withstood to the point of pouring out your [own] blood. Hebrews 12:3-4 (Amplified)

"Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. Matthew 7:1-5 (The Message)

"bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. (Colossians 3:13 NKJV)

And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and shortcomings. Mark 11:25-26 (Amplified)

Part of Lord’s prayer: “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven (left, remitted, and let go of the debts, and have given up resentment against) our debtors…For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses. Matthew 6:12,14-15 (Amplified)

My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Ephesians 3:14-20 (The Message)

And what are the characteristics of that love – God’s love? In 1 Corinthians 13 it shares "Love never gives up; cares more for others than for self; doesn't want what it doesn't have; doesn't strut; doesn't have a swelled head; doesn't force itself on others; isn't always "me first;" doesn't fly off the handle; doesn't keep score of the sins of others; doesn't revel when others grovel; takes pleasure in the flowering of truth; puts up with anything; trusts God always; always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end.” …”Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.”

Uncompromising Faith

Ben, a young man in Belgium and whom I never met, went home to His Maker this past week after fighting a heroic battle of lung cancer for the past two years. Too common an event, so why am I writing about it when possibly some of you or your friends may also be facing a similar challenge? Because this young man taught me about uncompromising faith and hope and I want to encourage you! He exhibited a faith in God so powerful that it penetrated beyond his immediate circle of friends and family; beyond his country, beyond our casual understanding of what FAITH in God really means.

He remained strong throughout his journey, he was a light on to the world as it says in Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven."

When the doctor's needed to tell him there was nothing more they could do, they wrote the word God in the middle of a piece of paper. They had learned about and seen his faith in action.

When I spoke to Ben's friend while visiting Belgium in April, a young man who didn't understand Ben's Faith in God, he simply shook his head when I asked him how Ben was doing. He said WOW, he never loses hope - how does he do it?

He did it because he kept his faith! He was not moved by what he saw or felt, like it says in Psalms 62:6-8 "He [God] only is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Defense and my Fortress, I shall not be moved. With God rests my salvation and my glory; He is my Rock of unyielding strength and impenetrable hardness, and my refuge is in God! Trust in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is a refuge for us (a fortress and a high tower). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!"

His faith did not waiver. He kept up his hope, his humor, and his strength in God until he was, as his Pastor said "for a short while - no more on this earth." But, instead he is at peace, free of pain and struggle until we meet him again ~ for eternity!

This same lesson has been passed on to me by another friend. Jan, yes older than Ben, but twice healed of cancer in her life. As she lives through her third attack of cancer, she recently said to me: "God continues His miracle of allowing me to live despite the cancer, which scientifically should have killed me at least 3 years ago." She faces cancer with a smile on her face and says to me "what do I have to lose? Either I am healed once again, or I go home and face eternity, pain free with God." She has uncompromising Faith in God and what a blessing she is!

So I share these lessons of uncompromising Faith. And as we face our struggles, what does our faith look like to to us and to the world?

Be strong in the Lord and be blessed,

Michelle Lord Samples
Certified Christian Life Coach
http://www.fromtheheartlifecoach.com/

Resources:

Matthew 17:20 (NLT) “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible."

Mark 5:34 (AMP) "And He said to her, Daughter, your faith (your trust and confidence in Me, springing from faith in God) has restored you to health. Go in (into) peace and be continually healed and freed from your [ distressing bodily] disease."

John 6:47 (AMP) "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, he who believes in Me [who adheres to, trusts in, relies on, and has faith in Me] has (now possesses) eternal life."

John 20:29 (AMP) "Jesus said to him, Because you have seen Me, Thomas, do you now believe (trust, have faith)? Blessed and happy and to be envied are those who have never seen Me and yet have believed and adhered to and trusted and relied on Me."

Romans 5:1-3 (NLT) "Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance."

Romans 10:17 (AMP) "So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself)."

Romans 15:13 (AMP) "May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope."

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (NLT) "So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. For we live by [faith] believing and not by seeing. Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. "

Hebrews 11:1 (AMP) "NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]."

IF ...

IF, such a small word, yet so powerful. We day dream and say, IF I had a million dollars, I would ...... Day dreams of things hoped for. Yet, the Bible shares our true rewards IF we only obey His Word. Did you know that IF appears 1,583 times in the Bible according to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, several of which show us the path to God's rewards, IF...

As we consider our daily walk with God, I encourage you to pay attention to IF in God's Word and believe His promises which are not things hoped for, but His assurances!

Romans 10:9 "IF you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

John 14:23 "Jesus answered, IF a person [really] loves Me, he will keep My word [obey My teaching]; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him."

Romans 8:31 "What then shall we say to [all] this? IF God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, IF God is on our side?]"

Matthew 21:21 "And Jesus answered them, Truly I say to you, IF you have faith (a firm relying trust) and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even IF you say to this mountain, be taken up and cast into the sea, it will be done."

John 11:21-22, "Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, IF only you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.”..."Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory IF you believe?”

Hebrews 3: 12, 14 "Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God... For IF we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.”

Matt 6:30-31,34 "But IF God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and green and tomorrow is tossed into the furnace, will He not much more surely clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry and be anxious, ..."But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides."

Rev. 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; IF anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me." (Relationship with God!)

Be blessed and if you need encouragement, please contact me!

Michelle Lord Samples
From the Heart, Christian Life Coach
www.fromtheheartlifecoach.com
508-459-2731

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]"

Testimonies of God's Miracles

Does anyone need encouragement? Well, I asked for testimonies last time and here are a few to lift you up and remind you how faithful our God is as we seek Him and obey His commands.

Janie wrote, "I had a lump in my breast. The doctor told me that it did not look good, so I was scheduled for a mammogram and was to see a surgeon directly after. I went for the mammogram then they sent me for an ultrasound. Before I saw the doctor, my friend Lucy prayed for me. Then Joe and Marilyn prayed with me over the phone. That morning in the shower I felt to see if the lump was there and it was. All morning the 'eleventh hour' kept going through my mind. As I was still on the table waiting for the results of the test, fear came upon me. Then I thought of the prayers and the Goodness of God. I knew if I did have cancer it would be OK because I knew Jesus would heal me and still get the glory no matter what the results were. After what seemed like hours, the nurse came in the room. She said we don't know what your doctor was feeling, but we can't find anything there. Praise the Lord! When I got home I had to check myself and it was completely gone. Isn't God Wonderful. All we need is the faith of the mustard seed. Again thank God for His Goodness and Mercy that He shows up even at the eleventh hour!"

Michelle wrote: "My husband and I have experienced many miracles, small and large, since God called me out of full-time work and we agreed to step out in faith two years ago. Admittedly, the financial challenges sometimes feel overwhelming. But God, in His infinite glory keeps providing even though my husband, a CPA, said we should not have made it past six months! To keep track of the miracles, my husband started a spreadsheet titled "Favor of God." On it he lists all of the unexpected work that comes to him ~ miracles from God. And, we will never forget the day that upon coming home, we found an envelope in our doorway. When my husband opened it he found cash ~ $1,000 to be exact! My husband has always been the one to give to others, and now it was his turn to receive from God a gift beyond our belief! And then the time my mom, who lives in Europe was hospitalized with multiple blood clots in her lungs. By the grace of God, my brother paid for my trip to see her and I was able to care for her for one week. And, miracle of all, the doctors have since said that my mom should not be alive today given the number of clots and her 87 years of age! And then, and then, the miracles go on and on and our faith grows daily!!!! We are grateful that God is walking with us on this journey every day as HE prepares us for His ultimate calling. As it says in Hebrews 13:5, He "will never leave you nor forsake you!" Ever!!"

And then Elaine shared a beautiful testimony which in part said : "One morning recently, I packed an overnight bag, drove to the country, and checked myself into a little Inn. No, it was not a vacation!! It was a self-imposed retreat. I needed the Lord. Fear had taken root in me. It had become unbearable. It had been almost 40 years since my first panic attack and I was at the point where I couldn't even take a walk around the block without fear. Living this way was not the Perfect Plan that God had had for me. What was I doing wrong? I loved the Lord, my Father, with all my heart. I loved others as myself. I was not living in sin. I had the Spirit of the Living God on the inside of me. I knew hundreds of scriptures by heart. But I needed to be set free. During the drive, I said to God, "whatever it takes, Lord, whatever it takes."..... What I did not expect was that my merciful, gracious God would lead me to a higher knowledge of His Love for me. And He would do it gently, tenderly.

While taking a walk the next morning, God spoke to my spirit and led me towards an archway that was hidden from view. As I approached, I was surprised to see that the vine-covered archway led into a lovely garden, sprawling with roses, white lilies, and daisies around its perimeter.... I knew that the Lord was going to "meet" me in this garden, so to speak. It was perfect, and private, and had a "sweet smelling aroma." In the center of the garden was a white gazebo and two stone benches on each side of it. One bench was in the shade; the other was in "the sun." I heard a still, small voice tell me to sit on the bench that was in the sun. I laughed to myself, and obeyed, delighting in God's subtle humor.

He began to speak to me about His Love, and what His Word says about His Love. I had not yet fully comprehended what Jesus had died to give to me. I had allowed the cares and concerns of this world to overrule the Truth of the redemptive effects of Jesus' sacrifice, and the Great Love of the message of Calvary. Even with intensive study, I had not yet made this Truth real in my heart.

God brought a scripture to mind: "He who fears has not been made perfect in Love." This meant that when I fear anything, I am not remembering that Jesus came to destroy ALL the works of evil, and redeem from ALL the curses....Fear is not of God, I realized, it is of the devil. "My perfect Love casts out all fear," he reminded me, "the same way that Light casts out darkness." God was ministering His Word to me - that Word that goes forth to achieve the thing for which it was sent. His incorruptive Word. I had better pay attention here, I thought. This is the key to the Kingdom here - the Spiritual Law. His Holy Spirit was leading me to the exact piece of Gospel Truth that could heal my mind.

Ever since that day in the garden, these have been my "steady" scriptures - ones I recite out loud whenever the enemy attempts to plant those same old lies in my mind about fear. The real Truth is that I have been made perfect in love by the Grace of God. What could possibly make me fear - ever again? Silly me. I never understood His Love for me!! But I humbly receive this revelation knowledge, and Thank Him, glorify Him, magnify Him !! I have been living in His Victory - in the Light of His Presence ever since that day. And the next time satan wants to tempt me to lose sight of the Glory of God, and the Love of Jesus, I will look to the WORD. And I will know that because He Loves, I can face tomorrow. Because He Lives, all fear is gone. All Praise and Glory to my God!! Amen.

Whoever is reading this - Let Him give YOU a scripture or two that will change your life today!! He is willing. He is able. Whatever you are going through, ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE. SEEK HIM AND YOU SHALL FIND HIM. His Word is Truth! Amen."

Thank you Janie and Elaine .... there are thousands of testimonies out there. God is faithful when we are obedient!


God's Love,
Michelle Lord Samples
From the Heart, Christian Life Coach
http://www.fromtheheartlifecoach.com/
508-459-2731

Our Powerful Testimonies

As I continue to focus on the issue of Trust in God, it makes me think about the incredible testimonies we witness in our lives and how powerful they are in building us up!

In Hebrews 12 it says: "Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth]..." The Bible is full of testimonies ... and we too, have witnessed God's power through His miracles in our own lives.

Think back to answered prayers and God's intervention on your behalf! Ahh ..... remember how your life changed for the better and how it encouraged you?!

Would you be willing to share your testimonies with others ~ to uplift them? If so, please send me your testimonies at michelle@fromtheheartlifecoach.com and I will share some of them in my next blog - to encourage others during their trying times to trust even more in our Powerful and Mighty God! Remember times when God sent someone or something JUST at the right moment; times when in the natural it seemed your back was against the wall or when the doctor's report said you only had a few weeks/months to live and ... by the grace of God ... you walked through your darkest hour! Wow, how compelling to share God's power with others!

Be encouraged, God is always with us no matter what we are walking through "because the Lord is the One who holds 'our' hand." (Psalms 37:24)

God's LOVE and ENCOURAGEMENT to you!
Michelle Lord Samples
From the Heart, Christian Life Coach
http://www.fromtheheartlifecoach.com/

Testimony Resources:

Psalms 77:14-15 (NAS) "You are the God who works wonders; You have made known Your strength among the peoples. You have by Your power redeemed Your people."

Hebrews 12:1-3 (The Msg) "Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on [giving testimony]? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!"

John 19:35 (Amp) "And he who saw it (the eyewitness) gives this evidence, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he tells the truth, that you may believe also."

Acts 4:33 (Amp) "And with great strength and ability and power the apostles delivered their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace (loving-kindness and favor and goodwill) rested richly upon them all."

1 John 5:9-12 (The Msg) "If we take human testimony at face value, how much more should we be reassured when God gives testimony as he does here, testifying concerning his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God inwardly confirms God's testimony. Whoever refuses to believe in effect calls God a liar, refusing to believe God's own testimony regarding his Son. This is the testimony in essence: God gave us eternal life; the life is in his Son. So, whoever has the Son, has life; whoever rejects the Son, rejects life."

Trust/Believe

What does it really mean to say I trust or believe in God. Do our actions and words back it up?

Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary defines Trust as "to place confidence; depend; hope; believe." And defines believe as: "to accept as true, genuine, or real; to have a firm conviction."

Recently a good friend pointed out that I spoke a lot about a specific concern. I thought about what she said, knowing how much I believe I DO trust in God, His power and faithfulness ~ always ~ in all circumstances. And it saddened me that I had fallen into a non-trusting state and was fretting about about how we, in our own strength and wisdom, and in our timing could overcome this concern. How quickly my words or action refuted my firm conviction (trust/belief).

James 1:5-8 "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do." (NLT)

Trusting/believing without wavering. Do you ever say you trust or believe in God and His faithfulness? And then spend your energy worrying, strategizing and manipulating the situation so that things work out your way, in your time frame? As I recognized this week, that is not trusting or believing. So, like me I encourage you to refocus on what you trust/believe in God. Remember His promises in the Bible and regain peace and assurance that He has a plan. Seek His wisdom and direction!

Resources:

Proverbs 3:5-7 "Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths." (Amplified)

Matthew 14:27-31
"But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”
Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
“Yes, come,” Jesus said.
So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.
But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” (NLT)

www.fromtheheartlifecoach.com
508-459-2731

"Is God's Word and are His Promises more REAL to you than your fears, your failures, or your past which holds you back from living a fulfilling life?

As a Life Coach, my heart’s desire (passion) is for people to see themselves as a Masterpiece in ALL aspects of their lives, to help them overcome obstacles and pursue their God given purpose and significance in life."

A Time to Reflect

We reflect on this past week when my daughter-in-law's father, Mr. Clemente, left this earth suddenly and unexpectedly at the young age of 58. Though death is a reality for all of us, we are somehow never prepared for such a shocking moment in time.

Death brings life into perspective. We long remember all the wonderful memories of our lost ones. Mr. Clemente's family summarized his life as a man who loved and valued his family more than anything ~ and he did! For all his accomplishments, love of family was the utmost.

Death causes us to reflect for a moment. Many times we see how precious and short life really is on earth and we promise to accomplish or change something in our lives, just like we do on New Year's Eve. But then life's reality moves on and no matter how painful our loss we lose sight of that moment and we get caught up in the details, work and emotions of life. And the reflection is lost and change often does not happen.

During Mr. Clemente's funeral my son read from Ecclesiastes 3:1-2: "There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die..." As I reflected on that scripture and read further into Ecclesiastes, I noticed the author ended the book with "Here is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is the duty of every person. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad."

The Bible lists the ten commandments in Deuteronomy 5, which begins with loving/worshiping our God with all our heart, mind and soul "not worshiping any other god besides Him" and then in John 13:34, Jesus said "So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

So, when we reflect on the death of a loved one, what really matters in life? The new job/title, the new car or house? The hurt feelings of what he/she said? Hanging on to anger or bitterness because we're right and they are wrong? OR, is it cherishing each moment we have on this earth as if it is the last and following God's commands ~ to love Him with all of our heart, soul and mind and to love one another? Because when we keep our focus on Him we are able to live at peace and be pleasing to our Maker. And like the scripture read at Mr. Clemente's funeral, 2 Timothy 4, Paul says ... "As for me, ... I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing."

While we live our lives today, I encourage us all to remember the precious reality and focus on what really matters at the end!

Resource: 1 Corinthians 13 (LOVE described)

If you interested in life/spiritual coaching please visit my website and contact me: www.fromtheheartlifecoach.com.

God's love and blessings!
From the Heart, Christian Life Coach

Hearing God's Still Small Voice

Recently a woman contacted me through my website. I quickly realized she was not interested in buying coaching time, but instead she had questions. And, come to find out she is a 16 year old with profound questions.

Her most recent question: "...I am really still kind of struggling with hearing God when I pray. I pray to him and in my mind I feel that I am just talking to myslef. How can I know what God wants me to know if I can't hear him?"

So, I sought God's guidance on how to answer this profound question that many a book have been written about. And, maybe my answer appears to be a book :-) But, I decided to share it because many of you have asked yourself that question. And, maybe you have other ideas of how I can better answer a 16 year old. Please comment or e-mail me at michelle@fromtheheartlifecoach.com. Meanwhile, here is what I offered her:

What a powerful question ... do you realize that almost every Christian struggles with that question from time to time? :-) BUT what is important for you to know is that when you pray, GOD HEARS YOU! Even if you feel as if you're talking to yourself. So, I will attempt to answer your question based on what the Bible says. But, please be patient to read through the whole thing,o.k.? I tried answering in steps.

1. Romans 10:9 says "If you CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH that Jesus is Lord and BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." So, first before you can hear from God, you need to be saved. (that was obvious, but I just needed to say it :-)

2. When Jesus died on the cross, rose again, and ascended into heaven, he sent us His Spirit to live within us. The book of John talks a lot about the Spirit of God. But here is one of the scriptures that defines what the Spirit is to us. John 14:16-17 says "And I [Jesus] will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (COUNSELOR, HELPER, INTERCESSOR, ADVOCATE, STRENGTHENER, AND STANDBY), that He may remain with you forever--The Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you." So, WOW, we have a helper that lives within us (not like an alien movie character, but the Spirit of God who prompts us, "speaks" to us.)

3. So, if you are saved and you have the Spirit of God in you, how do we "hear" Him? Well, most people do not generally HEAR (like an audible voice). Hearing is also NOT an emotion or a feeling. In fact, the question I generally ask is: am I hearing from God or am I hearing from Satan who will put ideas/thoughts in me that are intended to deceive and trick me!

4. The best way to begin knowing that you are hearing from God is knowing that what you sense in your spirit matches up with God's Word and His character. So, how do you know His Word and His character? Well, that requires reading the Bible and asking God to reveal truth to you. Do you have a Bible? If you don't, you can always look things up on www.gateway.com and you can pick whatever translation of the Bible is easiest for you to understand. You can look up keywords or actual books of the Bible ... it's a great resource. When you read the Bible, ask God to reveal truth to you and to open your eyes of understanding!!

5. "Hearing" from God requires quiet time with God because remember the Spirit of God lives within you, so you need quiet time to get in touch with Him. A friend of mine says that "the 'voice of God' in our spirit is more of a joyful assurance, a tenderness, a peace. It is warm and loving at all times, and we just know that we know, that we know because it is so gentle. James 3:17 says "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." Wisdom comes from the Spirit of God within us.

6. Generally, when you make decisions based on God's Word there will be a sense of peace within you, NOT confusion or unrest, because that is NOT from God. Some people put their hands near their heart or belly when they talk about the Spirit. I believe that is because our minds play tricks on us. Kind of like a cartoon where the devil is on one shoulder and an angel on the other. But,the Spirit of God that speaks to us - prompts us, nudges us, gives us an idea, that ultimately is a good answer, direction or understanding.

7. So, what is God's character? God's character is LOVE. In the Message version of the Bible is defines Love, which is important to know because if what you are "hearing" contradicts this, you are probably NOT hearing from God. So, let's look at the list from 1Corinthians 13:

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

So, if you're hearing something that tells you to do opposite what LOVE would do, you need to stop and ask God again because it is probably not from Him.

8. So .... I've been really long winded and I've barely touched the surface of the topic. BUT, I'll say it again ..GOD HEARS YOU even if you feel as if you're talking to yourself ... just be still and listen. He will direct you to truth. Psalms 46:10 says "Be still, and know that I am God."

Blessings to ALL.
Michelle
From the Heart, Christian Life Coach
www.fromtheheartlifecoach.com

Light Hearted and Joyful

As I awoke to the birds chirping this morning, I thought about their light heartedness, their joyfulness ~ their lack of worry! It made me think of the scripture in Matthew 6:26 “Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?”

Events of the world such as rising fuel costs, jobs loss, violence, weather changes, etc. can cause us to worry! BUT the scripture is full of God’s promises for those who believe. Matthew 6 continues to say “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."

My husband and I have really been leaning on those scriptures for the last couple years and the testimonies we now have are incredible! Every time we reached a point where we couldn’t figure out how something would be paid or resolved, God has proven Himself faithful in our lives!!

So, I encourage you! As it says in Philippians 4:6 “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

If you would like spiritual or personal life coaching, please contact me at http://www.fromtheheartlifecoach.com

God's love to YOU!

Renewed Clarity

Every time I travel, I come back home with renewed clarity! Having just returned from Belgium a week ago, I find that this trip is no different. Except this time my mom was very ill. I must realize that my mom is not invincible - nor are any of us! And, I realize how much I have changed by the grace of God! (That's a good thing :-)


We are all on a journey called life ... the life that God created us for long before we were born. And, every day is a gift.


If you read my profile on http://www.fromtheheartlifecoach.com/, or if you were to talk with me for a short while, you would know that I wandered most of my life without direction - all over the place! But, none of it is wasted for God uses all of it for His ultimate purpose and direction - my God given path! Now that I have yielded to my Father God, and now that I have received HIS unconditional love and allowed HIM to correct me where needed (an every day thing, by the way), I have a passion that is flowing out of me. To share how incredible God's Word (Truth) really is IF WE ONLY BELIEVE what we read.


As a Christian Life Coach I love spending time with people, one-on-one, encouraging them to seek God's truth about them and their life situations, but also to BELIEVE what they have read in God's Word. Not just words for others. He died on the cross for YOU! When you begin to BELIEVE His words, it will change your life forever. It has mine!

Never forget HE LOVES YOU. You are HIS MASTERPIECE, FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE!

Psalm 139

O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.
You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O LORD, You know it all.
....You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother's womb.
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
....And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand
....Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way."

If you would like spiritual or personal life coaching, please contact me at http://www.fromtheheartlifecoach.com/

God's love to YOU!