Tag: loveserveinspire

Arise 2021 ❤︎

On By Heather Wiest

EXPANSION began 2018. ADVENTURE filled 2019. EMBRACE captured 2020. When asking God for my theme word for 2021, He clearly gave me ARISE.

I was reading the Bible in Acts Chapter 9. God spoke to Ananias and directed him to find and heal Saul.

The Lord said, ‘Go at once to the street called Abundance and look for Saul’… The Lord Yahweh answered him, ‘Arise and go!’

Acts 9: 11, 15 TPT

Two words popped out to me here: Abundance and Arise.

Arise = emerge, get or stand up, come into being.

Abundance = plentifulness of the good things in life; overflowing.

The Lord continued to speak to me through His Word. “Now it’s time to be made new by every revelation that’s given to you.” Ephesians 4:23 TPT

I received a surprising phone call a few days later from a very close family member. My loved one reached out to seek forgiveness for so many things, and I was able to receive, and seek forgiveness from him as well. It was the most powerful and healing exchange as we discussed and expressed our love and appreciation for one another. Wow! Thank you, Dad, for this amazing gift.

Soon after, I was drawn to a new learning opportunity. Should I invest in, and commit to a 100-hour Regenerate™: Christ-Centered Trauma Recovery Training in 2021? God’s Word given to me to confirm on my mom’s birthday, “But you should boil over with passion in seeking the higher gifts.” 1 Corinthians 12:31 TPT Yes, I committed.

A — Anticipate

R — Revelation

I — It’s Time

S — Seek (the higher gifts)

E — Emerge

Be willing to go out on a limb with Me. If that is where I am leading you, it is the safest place to be. Your desire to live a risk-free life is a form of unbelief. Your longing to live close to Me is at odds with your attempts to minimize risk. You are approaching a crossroads in your journey. In order to follow Me wholeheartedly, you must relinquish your tendency to play it safe. — Jesus Calling, December 9

What are you ready to leave behind so you can ARISE in who you know yourself to be?

2021, it’s time. ❤︎

Fruit of the Spirit: SELF-CONTROL

On By Heather Wiest

Please join me for this 9-week yoga series exploring each fruit of the Spirit beginning Friday, October 9, 2020 through Friday, December 4, 2020. Click my class schedule to join locally in-person or from anywhere via ZOOM at Moment of Truth Healing Space.

Week 9: SELF-CONTROL (self-restraint, strength of spirit) = the ability to control oneself, in particular one’s emotions and desires or the expression of them in one’s behavior, especially in difficult situations; disciplined. Although the word self is not found in Galatians 5:23, most translations render this as “self-control.” The word is actually “lordship,” or by implication “spirit-strength.”

Niyama = self-restraint in Sanskrit. The second limb of Patanjali’s eightfold path, which consists of purity (saucha), contentment (santosha), austerity (tapas), study (svadhyaya), and dedication to the Lord (ishvara-pranidhana).

“My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Sprit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day. Why don’t you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence?” Galatians 5:16-18 The Message

“An impulsive person has a short fuse and can ruin everything, but the wise show self-control.” Proverbs 14:17 The Passion Translation

“For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy Sprit who gives you mighty power, love, and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7 The Passion Translation

I have strength of spirit.
I deny the compulsions of selfishness by choosing to be led by the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit gives me mighty power, love, and self-control.
God help me ______________________________.

OPENING MEDITATION 

 Think of a time you experienced complete SELF-CONTROL.
 It may be a recent happening, or from the past.
 Picture it clearly in your heart and mind.
 Feel all the emotions.
 What sensations do you feel in the body?
 Where do you feel these sensations?
 Label your emotions with one word.
 Label the sensations felt with one word.
 Tuck these words deep into your memory account of SELF-CONTROL.

CLOSING MEDITATION 

“Wait quietly in my presence while My thoughts form silently in the depths of your being. Do not rush this process, because hurry keeps your heart earthbound. I am the Creator of the entire universe, yet I choose to make my humble home in your heart. It is there where you know me most intimately; it is there where I speak to you in holy whispers. Ask My Spirit to quiet your mind so that you can hear my still small voice within you. I am speaking to you continually. . . words of SELF-CONTROL. Tune your heart to receive these messages of abundant blessing. Lay your requests before Me, and wait in expectation.”
(Adapted from Jesus Calling, September 21, by Sarah Young)

“And I pray that he would unveil within you the unlimited riches of his glory and favor until supernatural strength floods your innermost being with his divine might and explosive power. Then, by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you, and the resting place of his love will become the very source and root of your life.” Ephesians 3:16-17, The Passion Translation

Fruit of the Spirit: GENTLENESS

On By Heather Wiest

Please join me for this 9-week yoga series exploring each fruit of the Spirit beginning Friday, October 9, 2020 through Friday, December 4, 2020. Click my class schedule to join locally in-person or from anywhere via ZOOM at Moment of Truth Healing Space.

Week 8: GENTLENESS of heart (humility, meekness) = the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered. Softness of action or effect; lightness. Gentleness comes from a state of humility.

Mardava (Sanskrit) = a divine quality, to be lenient with those who make mistakes, to never be offended, and remaining quiet when people revile or ignore God. Mardava is softness, letting go of ego. Mardava is a gentleness with all objects and weakness.

“Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me.” Matthew 11:29 The Passion Translation

“With tender humility and quiet patience, always demonstrate gentleness and generous love toward one another, especially toward those who may try your patience.” Ephesians 4:2 The Passion Translation

“Let gentleness be seen in every relationship, for our Lord is ever near. Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life.” Philippians 4:5-6 The Passion Translation

Humility initiates gratitude. In fact, the root word of humble means “ground or earth.” To be humble, then, is to be grounded, which naturally leads to a more calm, present state. We not only feel more grounded in our own selves, but also in our connection to others. When we are humble, we feel less compelled to control everything or to prove ourselves to others, which makes it easier to settle down inside and to have more inner peace. When we rest in humility, gratitude naturally follows. What are you grateful for?

I am gentle and kind with myself and others.
I demonstrate tender humility and gentleness in my relationships.
I am grounded and grateful.

OPENING MEDITATION 

 Think of a time you experienced complete GENTLENESS.
 It may be a recent happening, or from the past.
 Picture it clearly in your heart and mind.
 Feel all the emotions.
 What sensations do you feel in the body?
 Where do you feel these sensations?
 Label your emotions with one word.
 Label the sensations felt with one word.
 Tuck these words deep into your memory account of GENTLENESS.

 CLOSING MEDITATION 

 “Wait quietly in my presence while My thoughts form silently in the depths of your being. Do not rush this process, because hurry keeps your heart earthbound. I am the Creator of the entire universe, yet I choose to make my humble home in your heart. It is there where you know me most intimately; it is there where I speak to you in holy whispers. Ask My Spirit to quiet your mind so that you can hear my still small voice within you. I am speaking to you continually. . . words of GENTLENESS. Tune your heart to receive these messages of abundant blessing. Lay your requests before Me, and wait in expectation.”
 (Adapted from Jesus Calling, September 21, by Sarah Young)

 “And I pray that he would unveil within you the unlimited riches of his glory and favor until supernatural strength floods your innermost being with his divine might and explosive power. Then, by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you, and the resting place of his love will become the very source and root of your life.” Ephesians 3:16-17, The Passion Translation

Fruit of the Spirit: FAITHFULNESS

On By Heather Wiest

Please join me for this 9-week yoga series exploring each fruit of the Spirit beginning Friday, October 9, 2020 through Friday, December 4, 2020. Click my class schedule to join locally in-person or from anywhere via ZOOM at Moment of Truth Healing Space.

Week 7: FAITHFULNESS (faith that prevails) = loyal, constant, steadfast, unfailing, remaining loyal to someone or something

Shraddha comes from two Sanskrit words: shrat (shrad), which means “truth” or “faithfulness,” and dha, which translates “to put or place; to direct one’s mind toward.”

“For the Lord is always good and ready to receive you. He’s so loving that it will amaze you—so kind that it will astound you! And he is famous for his faithfulness toward all. Everyone knows our God can be trusted, for he keeps his promises to every generation!” Psalm 100:5 The Passion Translation

“His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you. You can run under his covering of majesty and hide. His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm.” Psalm 91:4 The Passion Translation

“Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen.” Hebrews 11:1 The Passion Translation

“Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible.”

Corrie Ten Boom

I live life with fierce faith.
I am faithful to myself and others.
I am faithful to causes that are important to me.
God is faithful, steadfast, and unfailing.

OPENING MEDITATION 

Think of a time you experienced complete FAITHFULNESS.
It may be a recent happening, or from the past.
Picture it clearly in your heart and mind.
Feel all the emotions.
What sensations do you feel in the body?
Where do you feel these sensations?
Label your emotions with one word.
Label the sensations felt with one word.
Tuck these words deep into your memory account of FAITHFULNESS.

 CLOSING MEDITATION 

“Wait quietly in my presence while My thoughts form silently in the depths of your being. Do not rush this process, because hurry keeps your heart earthbound. I am the Creator of the entire universe, yet I choose to make my humble home in your heart. It is there where you know me most intimately; it is there where I speak to you in holy whispers. Ask My Spirit to quiet your mind so that you can hear my still small voice within you. I am speaking to you continually. . . words of FAITHFULNESS. Tune your heart to receive these messages of abundant blessing. Lay your requests before Me, and wait in expectation.” (Adapted from Jesus Calling, September 21, by Sarah Young)

“And I pray that he would unveil within you the unlimited riches of his glory and favor until supernatural strength floods your innermost being with his divine might and explosive power. Then, by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you, and the resting place of his love will become the very source and root of your life.” Ephesians 3:16-17, The Passion Translation

Survivor Story

On By Heather Wiest

In 2013 and 2017,  I was blessed to visit the 9/11 Memorial in New York City — both incredibly moving experiences. One of the amazing stories to come out of the 9/11 tragedy is that of the Survivor Tree. A poem written by Faith A. Johnson describes it well:

The Survivor Tree

A miracle of botany, human spirit, and community,
In face of great adversity,
Back to life and breathing free,
It is known as the Survivor Tree.

Buried under twisted steel,
Determined branches hands could feel
Its blackened trunk, leaves no more,
And yet some life inside its core.

Where once its blossoms did embrace,
A Callery Pear showcased this place,
Where towers stood and life was loud,
A city and a country proud.

October day, the tree was found,
Amidst confusion, sadness sounds,
Came hopeful plans to nurse the tree,
Back to vibrant life, healthy.

And so it was that Callery Pear,
Moved to the Bronx, now home was there,
Cleaned of ash, cushioned in soil,
Human hands would gently toil.

To bring the tree back its life,
Overcoming hurts and strife,
Just as our country proving strong,
The tree grew tall, with branches long.

And next to it, a flag did fly,
Reminding all that dreams don’t die,
Our roots of freedom running deep,
Our nation’s strong, and memories keep.

Of loved ones lost, forever gone,
Yet, in our hearts, love carries on.
A Callery Pear, Survivor Tree,
Came back to where it used to be.

It reaches high into the sky,
And to the heavens leads our eyes,
Grow strong, our dear Survivor Tree,
For our America, Land of the Free.

Oftentimes, stories like this hit a heart string. We all have a survivor story. What have you overcome? Are you currently in the midst of a struggle or a change? Choose persistence, choose peace, choose strength, choose faith, hope, and love. You are a survivor and will come out thriving! Cultivate the seed that was placed in you until the last small twig has grown.

Bamboo lives underground for five years before it is seen by anyone. It spends five years cultivating a complicated weave of roots in the dirt, until it knows, without a doubt, it is strong enough to sustain the elements of the world. It knows it’s bamboo from the moment the seed plants in the earthly womb, yet is patient as it develops slowly and steadily. One day, when the preparation is complete, the bamboo sprouts — and swiftly shoots up in the air 82 feet! We are like bamboo — strong and resilient — rising beautifully in time.

Be inspired by a piece of my survivor story, The Door Knocker. ❤️

“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” ~ Kahil Gibran

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