"A New Day for You"

                                       Today is a new day!

How often have you heard that phrase " Today is a new day!" It's pretty common but how often do we forfeit what that truly means. Too often a new day comes and we don't enjoy it to the fullest potential because we are trying to walk out the blessings of a "new day" while still trying to carry the weights of yesterday. 

I know it is easier said than done but with God its possible. 

Don't allow the enemy of your soul to rob you of your "new day"! The devil's objective is to kill, steal, and destroy anyway possible. He wants to kill your will to "walk it out", he wants to steal your joy, and he certainly wants to destroy any plans you have to succeed in your walk with the Lord. 

It's a simple reminder today. 

Your past does not define who you are. Your mistakes are not who you are. Through the strength of God you can stand in the truth of who you are. When we choose to do that we then can put off every weight that sets out to hinder us and we can march on knowing that we serve a God of second chances. We serve a God of "new beginnings"and we serve a God that knows where we are and is able to meet us right in that place. 


Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.



Make a choice to enjoy the blessings of your "new day". Maybe everything is not going how you planned. Maybe everything is not perfect and this day may not be your best day... but God is good even on our worst day. 

1. Think about the faithfulness of God. Remind yourself of how God has always come through in the past and He will again! 

2. Take off the weight. As a child of God, the victory is ours. The fight has already been fought and the price has been paid for you and I. If you believe that then it gives you the confidence and the will to embrace your "new day."  To make a choice to PUT ASIDE BAD ATTITUDES,  REMOVE LIES AND REPLACE THEM WITH TRUTH, RECOGNIZE DISTRACTIONS AND REMOVE NEGATIVITY FROM OUR LIFE. 

Sometimes we don't even realize the weight of what we carry until we let it go and feel the weight of its release.-- author unknown

3. Run. Yes, Run! There is no time to sit idle. You may trip and sometimes fall but get up and keep going. Keep running and as the scripture says KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS! He is the author and finisher of our faith! What he starts , he finishes. He never said the road would not be hard at times, but he promised to be faithful to His children. 

Dear friend, sometimes you have to say it out loud. Oh yes, sometimes you need to declare the truth out of your mouth where you can hear it. 

Thanks for taking time to read today! Prayers and Blessings to each of you as run this race together! 

God is so faithful. 

Detours of Life

What a journey it is when we travel this life with our Lord. Our relationship with God truly does take us on a journey that is beyond anything that we could map out. Over the past few months of my life I have come to realize more than ever that God truly is the one writing the story. 

I have always known this in my mind, but it has now taken root in my heart in a way that I can't explain. I truly believe each day is a gift from our Lord and I try to make the most of every opportunity that the Lord gives me to be his light. 

I don't know about you but more than anything I want to know that my life has made a difference for my Lord. I think we all want that to be said of us. We are all called. Each of us above anything in our life are called to be a light for our Lord and to be His hands and feet serving those around us. 

If any of you know me, I am a TO DO LIST person. I have a list of what I need to get, what I need to buy, and even what I need to think about! I MEAN, REALLY!  I don't always let the list rule me, but I always, always have a list. In the last few months, I have realized that I also had a list of things that I wanted to accomplish or some kind of mental written agenda of exactly how the coming years of my life would live out. I serve along side my husband in ministry and I definitely had some thoughts on just how the coming years would look and I felt really "comfortable "and "certain" about the plans "I had made".  

Now don't get me wrong, a lot of my plans were seeds I believe the Lord had planted in my heart. You know God cares about our desires and if we serve him with our whole heart he will give us the desires of our heart. 

As my story unfolds, The day came when in the midst of all of "my list" and "my plans" God showed up with THE PLAN. God said STOP and GO at the same time!!! I am telling you it caused me to act like a child!! You know, those children that throw a fit!! Yep that was me. I was happy with the plan that I had and could comfortably see and I didn't want a new one. I didn't want to hear the words from the Lord that said Stop this plan, and Go to the place I say.  In no way does this mean that the Lord put a stop to HIS plans or stopped working in the desires of my heart but it did mean that it wasn't going to look like I THOUGHT IT WAS!! It meant that I had to FOLLOW GOD and TRUST GOD . It meant that I had to remind myself that I am not the one writing the story and if God says the path goes this way then I had to trust Him. 

 I am human and I definitely had my moments. I questioned it. I cried. I grieved. I acted like a child at times. I am not proud of that and the Lord has taught me a lot about myself through this journey. All I can say is my road map did not show a detour.... but God's did! 

I share this today to encourage a heart that might be questioning God's plans. I think so often we think we know exactly how things SHOULD play out. We think we know how God needs to write the story and often times we will not let go of the pencil so he can write the story. 

Often times, we think if we let go of the pencil that it is not going to turn out right. God's ways are not our ways. They are so much higher and better!! The path with God is not always a straight journey. It can very often take detours that take us down a new path and remind us that we are to trust the Lord. The detours in this journey will have a purpose and they will help to make us better people. God knows the path that is best for us at all times. 

Today if you are walking through a place that requires trust please remember that God IS working ALL things for your good! It's not always a easy verse to receive but it is oh so true!!

--IF GOD BRINGS YOU TO IT, HE WILL BRING YOU THROUGH IT!--

In my own journey, because I have trusted God, in just the last several months I have seen God fulfill promises and desires that were on my LIST!! How awesome is that!! It did not happen like I thought, where I thought, or when I thought... but God is faithful!

When questions arise like.... "Where is God?" or "Why would God take me down this particular path? remind yourself of the truth found in God's word ( Romans 8:28).

As I close this devotion I want to share 3 things that the Lord has brought to my mind during a recent DETOUR in my life and hopefully one of them might encourage you if you are facing something. 

1-  The Lord reminded me of Abraham and Sarai. As I read this story in the Word I saw a woman who was going about her daily routine when her husband comes to her and says start packing. 

Turns out they are going to take a trip to a new inheritance. It is a new land, and even Abraham is not sure where they are headed! How do you think Sarai felt? Was that on her list of things ahead? Prob not. But we see this couple set out to take the path God has set before them. Because God said it God supplies the courage they needed to attain this promise. As they stepped out, each time God spoke to them, he provided more and more details until one day the direction was clear. What a plan and what an inheritance they received from the Lord because they were willing to TRUST and OBEY! 

2- The Lord reminded me of His promises. He keeps his promises and we should too! I know many of us have stood many times at a church service or the altar and whispered prayers to the Lord. 

I recall several instances where I stood at the altar and with tears running down my face I sang to the Lord. Just a couple weeks ago the Lord took my mind back to this place and He whispered in my heart these words "Lisa, do you remember what you said to me?" "Do you remember asking me to take you where your faith was without borders?" "Do you trust me like you say you do?" 

I did remember that! I did remember the words I prayed and longed for. So why was it so hard to believe when God was trying to take me there!?

I remember standing at the altar with those tears as I sang songs to the Lord that said words like: 

I give myself away

Take my heart 

Take my life

As a living sacrifice

All my dreams

All my plans

I place them in your hands

Today, maybe you are facing a move, a sickness, a set back, a hard decision. So many situations can catch us off guard in this life and in that moment we can feel like we know all the reasons why this is something that we should not have to walk through. Often times it can be a GOOD THING and because it wasn't in our plan we still don't want to face it.  It can be so hard to TRUST, but when we know the love and faithfulness of our God ,we know that he is leading us into the best for our lives. We know that he has not forsaken us and all things will come forth in His timing.  Whatever you are walking through today always know that God loves you and He knows what he is doing. 

3-  The Lord reminded me that when we decide to get out of the way and allow him to write the story we will be amazed at the outcome.

The Word says in Ephesians 3: 20-21 ( ESV)

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. 

This says to me that I haven't even had the thought enough to ask for the wonderful things that God has planned for me. He can bring to pass far more than I could ever image anyway!! He truly is doing that! He will bless you in ways you have not even thought of if you love Him and follow him with your whole heart!!!

*  that includes allowing God to write the story and throw your list in the trash!!! 

It is my prayer that this devotion has encouraged you.  If there is a detour of any kind in your life right now where you are having to TRUST, BELIEVE, and WAIT it is my prayer that  the Lord will remind you of his faithfulness and his love that promises to lead and guide his children into the best plans for their life! 

A great verse to stand on during this season for your life just might be:

Dear Lord, I pray for each one reading this devotion today. Lord, only you know the path that lies before them and I pray that today you will use this devotion to remind and prepare their hearts and minds for whatever is ahead. Lord, sometimes the path is good yet it is a "hard yes" and sometimes the path brings forth circumstances that are not as favorable to walk through such as sickness, financial strain, and hardship. Lord, with all things bring about a peace in us that comes from knowing you order our steps and we can trust you at all times! With God on our side, all things are working for our good! Great things are ahead in Jesus Name!! 

--God is on the move!--

If you have been encouraged or blessed by this devotion , please don't forget to let me know and share it!  Thanks for reading!!

God Bless ya!

Pastor Lisa Evans

Overcoming Life

GOD IS.

GOD IS. 

These words have been resonating in my heart.

As I enter a new year there are many things that I am 

very excited about but also so many things that if I am 

not careful will try to bring me to a place of worry and

confusion. How will this look? How will this ever work 

out? Why am I waiting? Will I have the strength to make it?

Over and over in my heart as I prayerfully spend time 

with the Lord I hear the sweet whisper of God’s love 

that simply says “God is”.

Too often I know I always look for some long or lofty 

answer and I feel certain you do too! The truth is the 

only answer we really need is that GOD IS.

No matter what I am facing, No matter what you are 

walking through right now, No matter what is ahead in 

this New Year the simple fact is that GOD IS more 

than enough. God is already there with you and He is 

everything needed for the journey.

I love reading through the Psalms! There are so 

many nuggets tucked away in the scriptures that breathe 

life into us and help us find strength for the journey.

In Psalms 103 We read about our God! Our God who gives 

us so many benefits, who forgives all of our iniquities and 

who heals all of our diseases. He redeems our life from 

destruction and crowns us with loving kindness and 

tender mercies, and always will satisfy our mouth with 

good things. 

So, today just maybe you find yourself asking God 

questions and waiting for answers. Your answer may not 

come in the way you expect it to. Your answer may not 

look like you expect it to. Your answer may not sound like 

you expect it to.

Remind yourself today that the devil is liar. Do not 

believe the lies. Believe the truth found in God’s Word. 

The devil’s lies try to convince us that maybe God is 

holding something back from us. That God could be 

holding back blessings or holding back answers but don’t  

believe the lie! 

God is doing what is best for you and will only 

bring blessing and purpose to your life.

GOD IS the one who gave His all for us. Romans 8:32 says

He that spared not his own son, but delivered him up for 

us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all 

things.

Philippians 4: 19-20 (ASV)  And my God shall supply every 

need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ 

Jesus.

GOD IS my friend.

GOD IS my provider.

GOD IS my healer.

GOD IS my encourager.

GOD IS my protector.

GOD IS my love.

GOD IS my everything.

GOD IS my answer.

Just maybe today your answer is that GOD IS.

Happy New Year! 

Thank you for taking time to read this devotion today! I

hope it blessed you and encouraged your heart in your 

journey with the Lord! Feel free to share your thoughts 

as it may minister to someone else. 

Please visit my website at 

overcominglife.info and subscribe to more devotions!

http://www.overcominglife.info/

Do you long for REAL PEACE?

I absolutely love a bubble bath!! Who's with me ladies? When its cold outside and my day has been more than hectic, I love to get in the bubbles! The problem with that is the house I currently live in DOES NOT HAVE A TUB in my bathroom. Oh sigh! 

I also love candles! There is nothing more peaceful to make worries flee than to sit and enjoy the flickering view of a candle and the wonderful scents that I oh so enjoy!!

These are all very enjoyable moments that can seem to calm our wars within. But the truth is these are only temporary fixes and I believe many of us are crying out for something REAL. 

NOT FAKE OR TEMPORARY-BUT REAL 


I know certainly all around us even during this Christmas season there are cries for peace. Our world is in definite need for peace and people all around us are facing untold circumstances of war in their lives that we don't even hear about.

Many cry for peace silently due to situations that they are facing. The cries can't be heard by the human ear but they scream loudly from a heart deep within individuals to feel the embrace of peace once more. 

Peace is so freely given by our Lord but can seem so distant many times. 

Unfortunately, many turn in wrong directions to try to achieve peace that will lead only to a dead end. 

God's Word reminds us that A fool destroys himself by his idleness. Busy and Work can be a good thing when kept in rhythm with God's will but when it becomes overwhelming and dominates our life it is futile.

HOW CAN WE HAVE THAT TRUE MEANINGFUL PEACE? That peace that goes past anything that we can understand. That peace that allows us to rest in God and know He is REAL. 

Philippians 4:7 (New Living Translation)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your request to God. 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. 

Ya know, the truth is I am terrible about lists! I make a list of the list. Did you get that? Me neither!! Oh well, what I am trying to say is that I can overdo something very easily. If it can't be just right then I work myself ragged trying to make it right. For me, its not only at Christmas but throughout the year.  ( I am working on improving in that area :) )

With that said, I am sure I am not the only one who at some point has needed the embrace of REAL peace. I feel pretty certain that I am not the only one who has walked through seasons of having screams on the inside and needed someone to hear them because I longed for some peace and I needed the wars inside to stop! 

But I am so thankful that in those seasons God has helped me and that is why I share this devotion today. You never know who just might need to hear this word and I can honestly say God WILL show up! 

I am so thankful that God helps me to remember that he paid the ultimate sacrifice so that I could live a life filled with peace. And that peace is not found in the busyness or the TO DO LIST but peace is found in BEING STILL. 

BE STILL before the Lord and He will hear your cries for Peace. 

The more we draw close to God the more peace we will enjoy.

James 4:8 (New Living Trans)
Come close to God and God will come close to you. 

Of course, we want to enjoy this season, of course we want to decorate, of course we want to have time with family and friends, enjoy all the delicious food, and don't forget the Christmas lights! But remember even when Christmas is over, there will be another list to make and more things to do!! So in the midst of it all LET'S BE STILL and draw near to God. He will bring peace in every season of life. I know He will -- Cause HE SAID SO!!

John 14:27 (New Living Trans)
I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. 

WOW! Now, that is something to thank God for!!!

So today, Go light that candle and enjoy! But also enjoy the presence of God too!!! Make your cries known to him and then rest in the fact that HE KNOWS, HE HEARS, and HE ANSWERS!

 A prayer to pray, Lord we love you. We thank you that you are the source of our strength in every season. Lord, you are the one that calms the storm and speaks peace to winds and waves of our lives. We ask you now to help us to draw near to you. Even in moments that we have to crawl through the strong winds and waves to get to you. Help us to draw near to you. We thank you for the gift of peace that is present even when we don't understand. Thank you for your love and gifts to our lives. Amen.

Thanks for reading this devotion today! 
Visit me at overcominglife.info
Pastor Lisa Evans




If you have moment, listen to this song! Yes, I know its older but the message just might help! 



Peace Speaker

Paths of Bitter Disappointment can lead into a Highway of Sweet Attainment

Thank you for joining in today for some encouragement!  

As I began to think about what to share I had one word come to mind.

Disappointment.

Now that is not to say that I am very disappointed  right now. But it does mean that I have certainly had my share of disappointments and only God knows the season you are in right now.

-Paths of Bitter Disappointment can lead into a

Highway of Sweet Attainment

A disappointment is the feeling of sadness or displeasure caused by the nonfullfilment of one’s hopes or expectations.

Disappointment can be similar to regret. It differs in that a person feeling regret focuses primarily on the personal choice that contributed to a poor outcome, while a person feeling disappointment is focusing on the outcome itself.

Wow! Have you ever thought about the disappointments in your life and how the outcome of situations will greatly affect you in many ways.

If you are like me, so often we want to hold onto to the disappointments. Those moments when things don’t go the way we had hoped for! Those times when our children, family, and friends don’t respond or act the way we had imagined. Disappointment can come in all forms for each of our different lives. They are real and can truly affect our lives in significant ways. 

How about those moments that we had our hopes up for something and then realized that feeling of hopeless disappointment. It just didn’t turn out the way you thought.

In moments of disappointment in your own life, maybe you have whispered prayers that say:

·       Lord, I don’t understand.

·       Lord, this is not what I asked for.

·       How will I ever overcome this set back?

·       Lord, can you ever heal my hurt?

There are so many questions that can flood our hearts and minds in moments of bitter disappointment.  These places in our lives can affect our homes, marriages, children, jobs, churches, and just LIFE itself.

In these moments that we call disappointing maybe it is just God’s reappointing our steps as He knows what is best.

Psalm 32:8 (NLT) The LORD says, "I will guide you along the best 

pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. 

Situations can certainly cause disappointment but let’s not miss what God might be doing in our lives. He has a plan and purpose that is certainly greater than what might be in our thoughts.

An unanswered prayer might be our best gift.

I love this quote from Helen Keller-

When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.

Let’s be challenged today to release our lives and broken dreams to God! Let’s dare to trust Him!

Imagine a beautiful butterfly dipping down and landing on your hand. You could grab it and hold it tight, but what good would that be? How much better to open your hand and let it soar off. When we say goodbye to our disappointments, we are opening our hands and letting the disappointments go. We are letting God do His will in our lives. –(Jan and David Stoop)

Personally today, I am asking God to help me release those areas where I had in my mind how things NEEDED to be and give Him the authority to make things into what He KNOWS they SHOULD BE for my life.

-WON’T YOU JOIN ME?

God can restore, renew, clean up, and do his thing in a NEW way when we make the choice to get out of the way.

Isaiah 61: 1-3 ( NLT)

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,

for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted

and to claim that captives will be released

and prisoners will be freed. 

He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord's favor has come, and with it, the day of God's anger against their enemies. 

To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. 

In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks

that the Lord has planted for his own glory. 

Thank you for reading today! 

Please feel free to comment and pass it along! 

Be encouraged! 

Pastor Lisa / overcominglife.info

http://www.overcominglife.info/

ARE YOU READY FOR A NEW SEASON?

Colossians 3:23 (NLT) Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than people. 

As I walked through my yard this week I could sense in the air that Fall was upon us! With that said, I am sure all of you boot loving, jean wearing, pumpkin everything gals rejoiced! I love Fall too! 

I love working in my yard and seeing the blooms of so many beautiful flowers as a result of my gardening skills ( which by the way are not all that great) but I do enjoy it and the blooms make it even better! If you want to know the truth, often I wish I could have these blooms WITHOUT all the work. It would be so awesome if I could go out in the yard and enjoy all of my flower beds without  a single weed! (AH, yes the weeds). 

But would I really appreciate and enjoy the flowers as much if I had less invested in that beautiful bloom? The lesson I am teaching myself here is that the moments of blooming will come but it takes some investment. The seasons come and go and the flowers change with each new day. 

It's the same in our life. You can just sense when a new season is coming. You just feel like "something" is about to happen. You have prayed, you have cried, you have asked, you have trusted and you have believed. God is faithful and if we do all that we do unto Him, he will reward you and cause you to bloom so beautiful in His timing.

I have to desire the bloom in my life and desire the end result enough to put something into it. 

Matthew 6:33 (ESV) says But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you.

I know that God sees the beautiful bloom in us before we even recognize it. I know that God sees the outcome of each situation that you are facing and He has a great big plan that just might surprise you!  Let's work for the Lord, work to cultivate our hearts and lives for His glory. He will help us to pluck out the weeds and till the soil until His timing is made perfect and the beautiful blooms become a blessing! 

Lord, we thank you for your Word that encourages our hearts. Lord, we thank you that you are concerned about our every step and we pray that we bloom for your glory and in your timing. 

Thank you so much for reading today! I hope you were encouraged in your daily walk. 

Please feel free to visit my new website at overcominglife.info 

I love it when you comment and visit! I would love to hear from and connect! 

 God Bless! 

Pastor Lisa 

http://www.overcominglife.info/

A New Season filled with TRUST!

Hi! It has been a wonderful but very active summer so far! I have been wanting to chat with you again but I am just now getting the chance to visit! 

Over the last couple of months our family has been going through a lot of  "new seasons". In some ways, these seasons have been exciting and some have brought tears. ( I have tears often)  I sometimes even express JOY with tears! 

I thank the Lord everyday for my precious family! And whenever one of us goes through a "new season" it truly does affect the entire family. My daughters are entering new phases of life and that means my husband and I are too!!

But even with that, I am comforted to know that with each new day we can know that God is there with us! He has a plan and knows what lies ahead for me and my family! (and your family too!) I love that phrase that reminds me... THE DEVIL THOUGHT HE HAD ME, BUT GOD HAD A  PLAN! ( Love it!)

The devil loses EVERYTIME!!! 

With each walk of life, it seems the word TRUST stares me in the face! How about you? 

T-R-U-S-T! Yikes, that can be scary! But we know in whom we can trust. I have to admit one of the very things I have struggled with from time to time is TRUST.  Who can you trust? When you allow yourself to trust others it seems they can turn to be untrustworthy! ( Not always, but it happens to us all).  What, Who, When can we trust? Wow, it can bring FEAR! 

When trusting God there is no FEAR. 

When trusting God it should calm fear, anxiety, and worry.

Proverbs 3: 5,6  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you.

In a book I am reading by Women of Faith it stated that the "What-ifs" of life can cause worry and stress. But as children of God, we can walk in obedience and trust, knowing that God has all the details, ALL THE DETAILS, under control!

I try to remind myself ALOT that I might not know all the paths ahead for me and sometimes (oh well alot of times) surprise paths seems to pop up! But God knows those paths too and when I stay close to him he makes my paths straight and sure. 

The Bible is packed with people that had to trust God! Noah, David Abraham.... the list of names would not even fit on this page! But that is because it would be EVERYONE! We all have to trust God and believe that He will never leave us nor forsake us. 

How about you? How are you having to trust?  Are you having to trust others around you? ARE YOU TRUSTING GOD? 

Maybe you too are going through "new seasons".  These new paths whether planned or surprise can be so different for all of us.  I pray that right now if you are facing something hard, something challenging, something stressful, something exciting,... whatever it looks like that you will have the courage to trust!  

Thanks for taking the time to read!

As you know, I don't have everything perfected, but

 I am working towards the prize! Philippians 3:14!

Love yall! 

Have an encouraged day!!!

Pastor Lisa

Overcominglife.info