Lately, I feel as though the Lord has been speaking to me about peace. Especially, in the days that we are living in. We can get so caught up in ourselves and what is going on around us that we forget who we are and the troubles, self consumption becomes apart of us. Our lives begin to fall apart barely hanging on by a string and I know this from firsthand experience. I can also tell you that there is hope because of God and though we will face trials and all sorts of life obstacles we can still stand strong in the midst of a storm. I have realized that it is quite evident that peace involves both the heart and mind. We know this because when an individuals thinking starts going astray and is no longer focused on God the two, the heart and the mind are pulled apart (Isaiah 26:3). We become strangled with worry, confusion, depression and anything else that the enemy tries to throw at us. Sometimes its not even the enemy, but it is us giving the enemy a way in to our minds to manipulate our thoughts. Now, we know that thoughts are powerful and weigh heavily on all of us and that is only because the individual is not taking the thoughts captive as instructed (2 Corinthians 5:10). You may be asking how? How do you take the thoughts captive when they just continually invade your mind to the point it is paralyzing. Well believe it or not that was me. I couldn’t sleep without being abruptly woken up by my worries or even function throughout my day without my mind being totally bombarded by thoughts that caused me to lose my appetite. Sometimes I could not even make it out of my bed because the thoughts felt like a weighted brick holding me tightly against my pillow. I would try so hard to figure it all out myself but ended up allowing a complete whirlwind of negative and intrusive thoughts to run my life. I was at a point in my life that my heart and mind could not be farther apart. I’ll admit that I could easily go back to that place, but I realized I have a choice and part of that choice is peace. The way we get there is by trusting and believing in the Lord. Trusting and believing the Holy Spirit that lives inside you and pressing into the word no matter how you feel or what your thinking and praising Him in the best and worst of times. Trust me, it may not be easy at first but it works. The first thing I do in the morning is thank the Lord for everything and though worry or depression may try to sneak in during my day I immediately take the thoughts captive by allowing it to be their, but not allowing it to rule my life. I would replace it with the truth and meditate on whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence , if there is anything worthy of praise…” (Philippians 4:8). I read something very profound that was apropos to what the Lord was speaking to me about.

“Sow a thought, reap an action. Sow an action, reap a habit, Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

It all starts with a thought and ends with a destiny. You and you alone determine your life by the thoughts that you allow to run wildly through your mind. You have the power to choose a life of peace or chaos. Align your thoughts with the truth and see how your life will dramatically change. My prayer is that if any of this relates to that you will have a revelation of the truth and who you are in Christ. That there is a purpose and plan for your life no matter what the enemy may sneak into your thoughts. Run to the word and praise Him in all seasons. He is a good good Father and there is nothing that He can’t help you out of. Nothing.

WHATS NEW?!?

Recently, I returned from a week of conferences with Overland Missions and had the amazing opportunity to listen to a handful of missionaries from all the over the world. This year considering the crazy ups and downs and an abundance of obstacles, Overland missionaries had the opportunity to reach thousands of people with the Gospel. Our motto is ANY LOAD. ANY ROAD. ANY TIME. and with complete obedience and by the grace of God this year has been one for the books. We had fifty individuals sign up for the Advance Missions Training Program and by the end of the three incredible but intense months almost all joined staff. Praise God! Despite a crazy year the growth of missionaries is continuing to increase which only means an increase in the amount of people we are going to be able to reach with the Gospel. No matter the circumstances God is always on the move!

Upon returning as of lately has been to continue to pursue my Ministerial Partner Development season in order to make it to Africa before the end of next year. If you have any desire to learn more about Overland Missions and my involvement please contact me either by phone (610-504-4415) or email (candice@overlandmissions.com). I would love the opportunity to sit down or even FaceTime about the opportunity God has given me to share the Gospel and how your involvement can help.

Lots of love, Candice