Autumn Can Show Us How to Let Go of Our Comfort Zone

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Each fall season, Ken and I, along with some friends, take a motorcycle trip to the mountains to view the spectacular color of God’s artistry among the trees.

From year to year the color varies dependent on the weather conditions of summer. But they are always a reminder of the creative power of our Lord. Pictures do not capture the brilliance of nature’s paintbrush. The shimmery golds, dazzling oranges, and fiery reds feed our eyes and minds with the amazing creative power of our Lord.

These leaves eventually detach and fall to the ground. The crunchy tree material drifts in spirals to the forest floor to decay and become part of the soil that will nourish new seeds in the spring. The beauty served a purpose for a time, but only lasts for a season.

What can autumn teach us about letting go of our comfort zone? Like the trees release their leaves, we can learn to release our own desires in favor of God’s desires.  

We can grow attached to accomplishments or places of knowledge with God. We may want to stay where it is comfortable. We don’t want to let go of what is familiar. But to expand and receive new levels of inspiration, we must follow the Creator’s leading.

We should periodically examine our lifestyles and find out if we have adopted some routines that may not be healthy. We may have developed eating habits that we aren’t conscious of, attitudes that are not holy, or lack of diligence in some of our work.

This is the time to step out in faith and obey the Lord’s leading for a direction we may not have been before.

To live in our identity in Christ means we live like He did. We follow His teachings through His commandments. Sometimes we may feel as if this is an impossible task. But He doesn’t expect us to do this through our own power.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

What kind of habits did Jesus live by?

He knew when to draw away from other people to be alone with His Father.

Prayer and Bible study can draw us closer to our Savior. We can hear His voice clearly when we take the time to listen.

Regular church attendance brings us into fellowship with other believers.

Falling leaves can remind us to let go of the past, live in the present, and pray about the future. Our heavenly Father always has new revelation, knowledge, and assignments for us as we seek to follow His will. (click to share on X)

What do falling leaves remind you of? Join the conversation

 

 

What Does God is a Consuming Fire Mean?

 

What Does God is a Consuming Fire Mean?

Crisp fall air invites us to gravitate toward campfires. Logs crackle and gray, oak-scented smoke spirals to the sky.

Give me a marshmallow and a hot dog, please.

Fall also brings Halloween. For weeks Halloween decorations have abounded in stores, yards, and porches. This is not an attack against those who like Halloween. But I am not one who likes this day because of the evil origins.

I know kids love to dress up and get candy. Who doesn’t like sugar? Children aren’t thinking of what all this means, they just want the goodies.

But some of the decorations can make a believer cringe. I think this day is observed as fun because the meaning is not taken seriously. A lot of people don’t believe the devil is real. And if they do, he is considered a cartoon character in a red suit with a pitchfork.

Lucifer, an archangel, fell from heaven when iniquity was found in him. He wanted God’s position. He is now known as satan, the fallen spirit. He is the father of all things evil. Demonic origins are behind Halloween and the devil rejoices when we are deceived into thinking this is just a fun day. Rather than giving glory to a fallen angel, we can glorify God by thanking Him for the fire of His Holy Spirit. 

What does it mean that God is a consuming fire? For our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29 NKJV). What does His fire consume?

How to Resist Compromise in a World Filled With Peer Pressure - Lessons from the Book of Daniel

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Compromise. It’s one enemy we all face at some point in our lives.

People break their word, fudge a little on taxes, don’t tell the complete truth or go along with the latest craze, even if that craze is destructive, because it’s the cool thing to do. And compromise can go further. It can lead to crime and immorality and start a never-ending spiral of disintegration in life.

How can we resist compromise in this world filled with peer pressure?

Announcing the book launch of Redemption, the Heartbeat of Christmas

 by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Hi friends,

This is a special blog post to inform you of the launch of my book, Redemption, the Heartbeat of Christmas: What the Birth of Christ Means to the World. The book will release on October 21, and I am seeking help to get the word out.

If you would be willing to join my launch team, please fill out the google form at this link:

https://forms.gle/BU7h4xwkzEKVxZrUA 

You will receive a link on joining the Facebook page and how to share information. Also a digital copy of the book will be provided to those who sign up.  

It's not difficult. All you need to do is share a meme or two once or twice a week to your social media followers. I will be conducting drawings for prizes and we will have fun getting to know each other better. 

I appreciate your help as we get ready to spread the word about our Savior's birth.

Blessings to all of you, Barbara Latta

Can Time Be Redeemed?

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15–16 NKJV)

How many of us have looked back through the years and wished our lives had been different in some way? Probably all of us.

What do you think Ephesians 5:15–16 means? We can’t go back and live the past again. Time can’t be placed in a piggy bank and saved like money. Hours can’t be earned like our salary.

Minutes are not retrievable like lost coins. Time passes and disappears. Because of this we can look back and feel guilt and shame over unproductive days or wrongs we have done.

Can time be redeemed?

5 Ways to Scripturally Combat Negative Emotions

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

The temptations from the enemy have not changed since mankind fell. He whispers through TV, radios, and electronics with headlines, debates, opinions, advertisements, and entertainment that compete for our attention with engraved invitations to participate in the banquet of worldly living.

Words can come from our own minds due to past experiences. Other people may say things that don’t intend harm, but we can take their conversations the wrong way and create assumptions that hurt our hearts.

How do we resist letting these thoughts grab our minds?

Why Do We Fall Into Envy and Jealousy So Easily?

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Why do we fall into envy and jealousy so easily?

Envy or jealousy: that green-eyed monster that can plague us to the point of stress and depression if we allow the talons to grip our thoughts.

Why do we fall into envy or jealousy so easily?

Is there a difference in these two words?