Embracing the Desperate Moments of Life: God Is in the Moment

by Flo Morehead

Overview

ARE YOU EXPERIENCING DESPERATE MOMENTS?

Whether it's discouragement, tragedy, despair, distress, dis-ease, job loss, sickness, foreclosure, divorce, or death of a loved one: any one of these has the potential to send you into a downward spiral. These very serious, urgent and dangerous moments of life may be of a short or long duration. This book was birthed out of the many desperate moments (death of father, mother and brother, heart attack, stroke, and divorce) that the author has experienced. It gives insight into how to handle the night seasons of our lives. Flo Morehead has encouraged, equipped and empowered thousands of people, both men and women, in how to live victorious lives despite the ups and downs of life. Even though the devil desires to use these moments to destroy you, God has another plan. You will learn how to embrace (accept willingly, deal with) the desperate moments, and put them to work for you in catapulting your faith to another level.

• Don't try to escape - go through

• Don't give in to the temptations - pass the tests

• Don't listen to the voices of self and others - listen to the voice of God

• Don't depend on human effort - depend on the Holy Spirit

• Don't let it make you bitter - allow it to make you better

• Don't turn to negative vices - turn to an all knowing God

• Don't operate in unbelief - operate in faith

The good news is, "God Is In the Moment!"

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781456715588
Publisher:	AuthorHouse
Publication date:	02/23/2011
Pages:	140
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.33(d)

Read an Excerpt

Embracing the Desperate Moments of Life

God is in the Moment

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By FLO MOREHEAD

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2011 FLO MOREHEAD
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4567-1558-8

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Chapter One

REFUSE TO BE PARALYZED BY FEAR

There are moments in our lives that are so wonderful and joyful such as graduation, getting married, landing that first job, the birth of your child, and the day you accepted Christ into your life. These are the moments we want to remember and cherish. Yet there are the moments we want to forget like the death of your parent, when your child dropped out of high school, when you lost your job, and when that marriage that was suppose to last forever ended in divorce. But try as we may, too often the sad and painful moments haunt us and sometimes cause our present and future to be controlled by the past.

I have endured some very trying moments over the years, and through it all God kept me. The Lord called me to pastor and plant a church, and in February 1998 Shalom Ministries Christian Center was birthed from my spiritual loins on my 50th birthday. Six months later I had heart bypass surgery, followed by several trips to the hospital, including one for a mild heart attack. It was four years later that I was hospitalized with a bleeding vessel on the brain. Within weeks of getting out of the hospital my marriage ended in separation and divorce a year later. There was so much I did not understand, while suffering silently. As a result, I had to get a grip, suck it up and keep smiling, while continuing to preach the gospel and shepherd God's flock. Now, as I look back, I realize that the devil tried to take me but God's grace and mercy overruled him. My prayer life was strengthened and I learned to trust in a God I could not see as I held fast to the scripture,

I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord (Psalm 118:17).

When we go through our painful seasons, it is important that we learn how to embrace the moment rather than give in or give up. I am a witness that there is purpose in the pain, and a faithful God orchestrates situations and circumstances to bring to pass that which He has purposed. I refused to be paralyzed by fear.

All of us have experienced fear. It is a distressing emotion aroused by fear of potential harm, danger or difficulty; fear of potential failure, fear of what people might say. If not dealt with it cripples, disables, immobilizes, paralyzes, weakens, hinders, overpowers, and prevents us from moving forward. Fear has caused many to settle and fall short of accomplishing goals. Yet fear is not even tangible, but a spirit that is not from God.

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control (II Timothy 1:7 AMP).

We must conquer, overcome, subdue, gain victory over and defeat it in the Name of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit before it cripples and imprisons us. Is this easy to do? Certainly not, but it is absolutely necessary.

Desperate Moments of Life

It is in desperate moments that fear shows up. In the case of discouragement, disappointment, or difficulty, it may not be as severe. However, when it comes to disease, distress, death or despair, fear goes to another level. An example of this is when one receives the doctor's report with a diagnosis of cancer or an inoperable tumor on the brain. This is when many people lose it and almost immediately give up. They become paralyzed by the fear that they are going to die. Even sharing the scripture seems to no avail.

... who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness — by whose stripes you were healed (I Peter 2:24).

There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and for three days entertained us hospitably. His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured (Acts 28:7-10 NIV).

In times where fear has taken over, it matters not if Jesus, Peter or Paul healed others, they seem to see such diseases as bigger than the power of God.

Consequences of Being Controlled By Fear

In the Old Testament (see Numbers 13 and 14), we see an example of what can happen when you fail to embrace the moment, and you allow the spirit of fear to control. God had used Moses to deliver His people out of over 400 years of bondage in Egypt. After they had come through the wilderness and got close to the Promised Land, God tells Moses to send spies to check out the land. Forty days later they came back with a report. The land is indeed flowing with milk and honey says ten of the spies, but there are giants in the land that devour people. The people feared because of the negative report, but two of the spies (Caleb and Joshua) tried to quiet the people and said,

"... Let us go over at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it" (Numbers 13:30).

As a result of fear and rebellion, everyone 20 years old and above (except Caleb and Joshua) died in the wilderness. They were unable to move forward and kept longing for the past which was a place of bondage. Fear can affect us in many ways. Some of the consequences are that fear:

1. Magnifies the problem – makes it seem worse or bigger than it really is

2. Minimizes God's ability – chokes out our faith in an all-powerful God

3. Manufactures an invisible wall – it grips you and takes your mind captive. It uses things you can see to build a wall that stops you, and causes you to want to go back to familiar places and faces

4. Makes you miss your promised destiny – we come short of dreams, visions, etc. and settle for less than the best

Fear paralyzes and causes us to become dysfunctional and faithless, because we become problem-focused, and take our eyes and minds off the promises of God. I am reminded of the disciples during one of their many trips to the "other side" in a boat. Jesus had said to them, "Let's crossover to the other side," and He got in the boat and went to sleep. The disciples found themselves in a great storm and they were afraid. Jesus was asleep, so they woke Him up. Jesus said to the sea,

"Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him" (Mark 4:39-41).

Even though Jesus was in the boat with them they became gripped by fear. Jesus' response was that they had no faith. They had the information, but had not gotten a revelation of who Jesus really was; to be able to trust Him in such a crucial moment.

Conquer It Before It Cripples You

How many times have we failed to move forward because we were gripped by fear? Rather than focusing on God's word, we focus on the situation at hand until "it" seems bigger than God. As people of God we are to believe and trust in a God we cannot see, thus the declaration we walk by faith, not by sight (See II Corinthians 5:7).

It takes faith to conquer "it." Fear is a faith killer so you must take the necessary steps to deal with fear. Face it, because fear will come. What is important is the steps we take as soon as it shows up. How do you conquer fear?

There is seemingly a dichotomy; because we live in a physical body, our tendency is toward the senses (natural realm), and walking by faith has to do with the spiritual realm. Throughout the scripture Jesus would come to His followers during moments of trial and trouble, and His first words were usually, "Fear not." It is a fact that in this world we will experience trials, trouble, tribulation, tragedy, difficulties, dismay, disease, and despair, but Jesus said,

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you] (John 16:33 AMP).

Jesus clearly states here that rather than being gripped by fear during moments of trials and distress, we should be able to maintain a place of peace and confidence, and embrace the moment.

It is amazing how we so quickly panic and lose our peace. We become moved by the emotion of fear rather than being moved by what the Word says. The people of God today react like the world and become unsettled, unstable, uncertain, and uneasy. Jesus said,

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27).

The good news about this peace is that it does not mean the absence of problems or trials. It is a peace that we can have in the midst of the mess. It doesn't make sense to calm down when you are in the middle of a storm, but faith is not supposed to make sense.

One way to get a grip and not be a prisoner to fear is to focus on the "nowness" of God. Nowness is a noun form of the word now, and means at the present time or moment. The omnipresence of God puts Him everywhere at the same time. There is no place that He is not. It is the unlimited nature of God. He is free from limitations of space and time. In giving Moses his assignment, He said, "I AM," not I was or will be, but I AM which is always now. God with His sense of humor once said to me, "What part of I am with you always do you not understand?" In His presence is peace and power, so why fear in moments of distress? Rest in the "nowness" of God and the fact that Jesus has already conquered "It" for us, no matter what it is. Why fear that which has no power over you? The only power it has is that which we relinquish to it.

Chapter Two

RESIST THE URGE TO COMPLAIN

The way to get a grip during your undesirable moments is to do all you can to resist the urge to complain and whine about how bad things are. Yes, you could complain. You have got a right and a reason to express dissatisfaction with your situation (financial woes, pain, heartache, backache and headaches). However as people of God we choose to embrace the moment.

Choose to Praise Rather Than Complain

There is plenty to complain about, but don't. Choose to praise God instead. James put it this way,

Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing (James 1:2-4 AMP).

It may not come easy, and initially you may have to force yourself, but it will be worth it. That's why we say, "Choose to praise" because at that moment you have choices. You can start complaining or talk yourself into praise. God has allowed it to test your faith, so rejoice because it will produce endurance and patience. Your moments of pain develop your faith and character. In Philippians 4 it says we are to rejoice in the Lord and not fret or worry about anything.

Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute! Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life (Philippians 4:4-7 MSG).

The psalmist was going through some rough times, and he encouraged himself with self-talk, and decided that he would yet praise God despite what was going on in the natural.

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him (Psalm 42:5 NIV).

We can praise God no matter what if we consider the fact that on the road of life there are bumps called by many names: adversity, problems, stuff, storms, sickness, pain, job loss, foreclosures, debt, etc. So when you hit a bump, you can Embrace the Desperate Moments of Life.

There have been moments in my life when I was overwhelmed by pressures and responsibilities of ministry, but I encouraged myself by saying, "It's just a bump." I have learned to be content and submit to God's will. It may slow me down, but it is just a bump, not a stop sign. When things are not going well, we must make a decision. Will I complain about the problem and how bad things are? Or will I choose to praise God anyhow? We are always faced with these two options.

A High Praise in a Low Place

You remember Paul and Silas in Acts 16; they were beaten with rods and thrown into the inner prison. They had a valid reason to complain about how they were bleeding and hurting, and ended up in prison for doing a good work, but they did not. They were in a low place physically, but refused to get spiritually low by choosing to give God a high praise instead. The Bible says that the other prisoners were listening. Imagine that, they could still praise in spite of their circumstances. They chose to have a concert in their moment of pain and bondage. This is a wonderful lesson for us in how to embrace the moment as we experience such difficult days.

It is imperative that we get to a place in our relationship with God that come what may, we will choose to give thanks in all things and give God the praise. The best praise is a "just because" praise. This is the kind of praise that comes with maturing in the faith. Even if God does not deliver or take me out of the situation, I can still praise Him. I can praise God because it is a good thing to give Him thanks. I can praise Him just because He is good, great, merciful, and awesome in all of His ways. It is this kind of praise where you don't need a worship leader to beg you or pump you. It is:

• Unsolicited

• Unannounced

• Unrehearsed

• Unashamed

• Unhindered

• Undignified

• Unstoppable Praise

It is a privilege and you have got a right to praise God. Even if no one else praises God, that should not hinder you because you have come to know God like that. Praise invites the Lord's presence and He brings with Him peace, power and provision.

Praise Keeps You from Collapsing

In times like these when even the financial giants of the world are crumbling around us, many find it difficult to praise God, as every facet of our lives is being affected in some way. When the nation is in a recession, it means that the people of God are also affected by it because we live in this world. However, as Kingdom people we are not of this world and as such, our perspective on the situation is always bright because there is not, and never will be a recession in Heaven. You might say, "All that sounds good, but I am still on planet earth." Yes you are, but you don't have to fall under the pressure.

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from Embracing the Desperate Moments of Life by FLO MOREHEAD Copyright © 2011 by FLO MOREHEAD. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

Contents

Preface....................xv
Introduction....................xvii
Get A Grip....................1
1. Refuse To Be Paralyzed By Fear....................3
2. Resist The Urge To Complain....................9
3. Find Your Place Of Peace....................15
Take Those Thoughts Captive....................21
4. Arrest Those Thoughts....................23
5. Actively Renew The Mind....................27
6. Allow The Holy Spirit To Help....................33
Are You Desperate Enough To Press?....................39
7. Press Into His Presence....................41
8. Pray Through....................47
9. Ponder The Scriptures....................51
A Little Faith In A Big God....................57
10. You Were Wired To Do This....................59
11. Faith Doesn't Make Sense....................65
12. You Must Be Fully Persuaded....................69
Embrace The Moment....................73
13. There Is Purpose In It....................75
14. Focus On The Promise, Not The Problem....................79
15. It Takes Grace To Embrace....................83
Keep It Moving....................87
16. This Is Not It....................89
17. There Is A Place Called "Process"....................91
18. Turning Point....................95
God Is In The Moment....................99
19. God Is In It With You....................101
20. Expect Good At The End....................105
21. He Make It Do What It Do 10....................9
The Conclusion Of The Matter....................113