1. ๐๐ฅ❤GOD IS NUMBER ONE❤๐ฅ๐
When you decide to serve God with your whole heart and make Him first in your life, your soul will prosper and your joy and peace will increase. Remember to lean on Him more than anything else, and tell Him, “God, I want to do this, but I can’t do it without You.” He doesn’t expect you to live for Him in your own strength or ability, and He understands when you make mistakes.
So if you mess up, don’t be discouraged and let it hold you back; confess it and keep going. God will give you grace to do what you need to do. One day at a time, you and God together can do anything!
Sometimes, my desire for people to like me keeps me silent when there's a definite nudging to my heart from the Holy Spirit to speak up. In these moments, my mind travels to the Scriptures for divine strength:
๐๐ปAm I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? ๐๐ปIf I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Gal 1:10 NIV)
The apostle Paul's divinely inspired words leave no room for misinterpretation. ๐๐ปOur desire to please people can never trump our spiritual responsibility to remain true to our commitment to Christ. But it's not just about responsibility; it's about love.
๐๐ปGreater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. (John 15:13 NIV)
๐๐ปNo one will ever sacrifice more so they could be friends with you and with me. The crucifixion is an eternally blinking neon sign that says, Christ, counted the cost and decided we are worth it.
Whose approval are you seeking—others' or God's? Pray for the courage to seek God's approval above anyone else's.
How do we navigate living in a world that drifts further away from the One who made it with each passing day? Persistent prayer is the answer. To persist in prayer and not give up doesn't mean we pray 24 hours a day. Rather than trying to explain, I'll let God's Word show us how it's done.
One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. "There was a judge in a certain city," he said, "who neither feared God nor cared about people. A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, 'Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.' The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, 'I don't fear God or care about people, but this woman is driving me crazy. I'm going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!'" Luke 18:1-5 NLT
Jesus' parable teaches us to pray earnest prayers without losing heart, especially when we're praying for deliverance in times of severe testing. Notice the details about the judge lacking respect for God and compassion towards people, which tell us chances of him ruling in her favor were slim at best. Yet, because of her persistence and insistence for legal protection, He gave her what she wanted just so he'd be rid of her.
Friends, constant prayer means keeping our requests continually before the Lord as we live for Him, day-by-day, trusting Him to answer. Sometimes what seems like no answer is actually an act of love; He wants us to want Him more than the thing we're asking for. Regardless of the reason, we can trust His motives are always good.๐๐๐ป
"Joy to the world! The Lord is come
Let earth receive her, King!
Let every heart prepare Him room..."
If we want to experience joy in our relationship with Jesus, we'll continually need His help in revealing and healing the contents of our hearts.
Picture in your mind the image of a dry water well that has scattered trash and debris inside it. When the rain finally comes and water begins to fill the empty well, bits of trash on the bottom will float to the surface. Unless that debris is skimmed off the top, it will remain and continue to rise and fall with each dry and rainy season.
The same is true for the human heart; like an old dry well, it can become littered with debris from past hurts, disappointments, and brokenness. Unless we allow Jesus to bring truth into our wounded places, the "trash and debris" from our past will continue to surface as our false beliefs are triggered by other people and our circumstances.
Friends, although we cannot go back and change what happened in our past, as we seek intimacy with Jesus and entirely rely on His love for us, our past history loses control over our future.
Is your heart cluttered with unhealed wounds from your past? If so, ask Jesus for help in revealing and healing them, so there's room for His love and joy to flourish.
๐ True disciples TRUST God’s Word. And our trust in shown in obedience. How can we claim to trust God if we refuse to do something that he has commanded?
God wants to transform our hearts, our wills, our beliefs to be in perfect conformity with his Word.
But in order to obey the Word, we have to actually KNOW the Word.
So devour the Word and do the Word.
We need it every hour.
“What do you want beyond the command of God? If an angel were sent from heaven to command you to obey, the command would not be more binding upon you than it is now. The Lord has given you liberty; not liberty to sin, but liberty to obey.”
1 John 5
1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God. Whoever loves the Father also loves the child who is born of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments. 3 For this is loving God, that we keep his commandments. His commandments are not grievous.
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world: your faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is he who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three who testify:[a] 8 the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and the three agree as one. 9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is God’s testimony which he has testified concerning his Son.
2. Have you ever felt broken?
I have. Multiple times, for different reasons throughout my life.
Whether you feel broken physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually, it can be easy to wonder how God could ever love us or how you could be of any use in His kingdom.
To you who are facing personal or physical trials…
To you who are dealing with conflicts with others or with yourself…
To you who are trying to “hold back floodwaters of despair that sometimes wash over us like a tsunami of the soul”…
To you who feel broken beyond repair…
Remember this:
God loves broken things.
God has only ever had imperfect and broken things to work with.
He works miracles with broken things.
In fact, it’s with broken things that He does His best work.
Broken hearts.
Broken souls.
Broken bodies.
Broken lives.
Broken bread.
All of the broken things open up opportunities for miracles to take place.
If you are feeling broken, what better place is there to turn than to the one who loves broken things?
He will help you see the beauty in the brokenness.
His grace will fill the cracks.
He will work miracles in you.
It may take time.
It may be hard.
But you will see your worth, feel His love and know you have a place in building His kingdom.
God loves broken things.
Your image of God is the most important thing about you. It’s the source of your well-being.
Scientific research shows that our gut-level beliefs about God change our brain circuits.
When we worship the true God with our hearts it activates brain pathways and turns on higher brain regions that help us to become more like Jesus — more compassionate, wise, humble, and confident.
But lower views of God correspond with activity in more primitive brain regions involved in selfishness, fear, and anger.
The Bible describes the significance of this too. In John’s gospel we read that knowing the true God and Jesus Christ is how we experience eternal life (17:3). And Paul warns that if we exchange the truth of God for distorted images of him then our minds will become darkened and we will be ruined by sin (Rom. 1:28-31).
Our heartfelt image of God is not just our theological concepts about God, it’s also our emotions, unconscious attitudes, and bodily demeanor toward God.
But for many of us, our image of God has been damaged by childhood wounds, emotional deficits, and/or low self-worth.
Instead of seeing the smiling face of a God who loves us, we might see a frown or a blank stare from a God who judges us or is distant.
It’s easy for us to project onto God. We want to believe that the Lord is always loving, but sometimes we aren’t able to.
Jesus is the one who corrects and heals our trust in God. As we look to him and his ambassadors who are gracious, wise, and empathetic, we’ll experience a renewed sense of trust and understanding of God’s love.
In the image above we’ve listed attributes of God’s love for you. If any of these are hard for you to believe in your heart, take a moment to pray and ask Jesus to help you trust and experience his love in this area. You might also want to talk to a friend or spiritual director who can minister God’s love to you through gentle listening and empathy.
3. Have Faith in GOD Almighty ❤️
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near.” ~John 3:16 & Matthew 4:17.
I wanted to paint the story of Christ feeding the five thousand. While the Savior was able to perform a miracle and feed the multitudes with five loaves and two small fishes from a young boy, the real message that we learn in these passages is that Jesus Christ is the bread of life.
"For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." (John 6:33-35).
๐๐❤️ONLY A MIGHTY, MIRACLE-WORKING GOD could have ORCHESTRATED some of the things that answered many of my prayers over the past few years. Not all my prayers were answered, of course, but enough to help me remember HE is still the GOD of MIRACLES today. He helped me fully realize HE is my PROVIDER. Not a man, not a job, not my own talents or efforts — HIM ALONE.
GOD is always WORTHY of our PRAISE — for the ANSWERED PRAYERS we thought were unanswerable and the unanswered prayers we still lift up to HIM each day. HE is always FAITHFUL and always TRUSTWORTHY. He hears our prayers and knows all of our needs.
If you have PRAYERS you’ve been praying for quite some time, keep the FAITH. GOD is at work behind the scenes.
NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD๐๐
๐♂️ We belong to God. Our lives are not our own. The top factor in any decision we need to make is NOT our own comfort, but God’s own glory.
The Heidelberg Catechism, Question One:
“What is your only comfort in life and death?”
Answer:
“That I am not my own,
but belong with body and soul,
both in life and in death,
to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.
He has fully paid for all my sins
with his precious blood,
and has set me free
from all the power of the devil.
He also preserves me in such a way
that without the will of my heavenly Father
not a hair can fall from my head;
indeed, all things must work together
for my salvation.
Therefore, by his Holy Spirit
he also assures me
of eternal life
and makes me heartily willing and ready
from now on to live for him.”
๐ฅ God calls us to stand firm on his Word — following him every day of our lives. When we do this, the world may hate us, but we must live for God’s approval, not theirs.
Read 1 Peter 3:13–15 and pay attention to how the character of Christ helps us to follow him, no matter the cost.
“Who then will harm you if you are devoted to what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear them or be intimidated, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.”
Why don’t we fear the world? Because we regard Christ as holy.
Christ — completely set apart from everything in creation and completely set apart from all impurity — has made us his own. We must live for his glory, no matter the cost.
❤️ The wonder! A God who loves you, not because of your good, but IN SPITE OF your bad! A love that isn’t running away from your sin, but is actually drawn out by your sin! A Savior who perseveres in care, when we are continually careless.
Oh friends, God’s love is an inexhaustible wonder. You will never get to the end of it.
“The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell.
It goes beyond the highest star
And reaches to the lowest hell.
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled
And pardoned from his sin.
“O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.”
๐ฅ God wants to help you resist your sin by giving you something better to live for — to know the beauty and wonder of his grace. The Puritan Thomas Chalmers called it “the expulsive power of a new affection,” the wonderful reality that when our hearts are filled with love for Christ, our desire for sin is expelled.
Resist sin today, friends — not because God is calling you to cut out the things that make you happy, but because he’s calling you to not settle for the cheap, fading happiness of sin.
๐ This quote came from today’s “Pray with Spurgeon” newsletter.
๐ฌ Every weekday, I send out a short email with a prayer and devotional by Spurgeon. They are always RICH with biblical content and truth and help me to trust God.
๐ค God has always been faithful to us in the past; we have no reason to ever doubt him in the future. Our circumstances may change, but our God never will.
4. God will never change
His love will never decrease.
His kindness will never run out.
His grace will never be exhausted.
You can count on him today, tomorrow, and forever.
So, in your trials, turn to him and find life.
✝️ Consider Jesus’ warning in Matthew 7, “On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”
It’s not enough to do good things.
(“Did we not…”)
It’s not enough to claim to be a Christian
(“Lord! Lord!”)
It’s not enough to just believe the truth of Christianity.
(“… in your name…”)
The only thing that’s ENOUGH is to be known by God.
(“I never knew you”)
And when Christ knows us, he transforms us by his grace.
Jesus tells us today, “Do not be anxious.” Not because our trials aren’t big (they are), but because God’s goodness is bigger.
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” (Matthew 6:31–32)
In the worst trials, we flee to our God and find life and deliverance at his hands.
“Whatever comes upon the earth, you, beneath the broad wings of the Lord, shall be secure. Stay yourself upon his promise; rest in his faithfulness, and bid defiance to the blackest future, for there is nothing in it dangerous for you. Your sole concern should be to show forth to the world the blessedness of hearkening to the voice of wisdom.” — Charles Spurgeon
THREE LIES ABOUT THE KINDNESS OF GOD:
๐ฃ LIE 1. He has given up on you.
He would have good reason to, wouldn’t he? We are guilty sinners.
TRUTH: Yes, your sin is massive and pervasive, but God has paid for it!
๐ฃ LIE 2. He is stingy.
Many of us believe that God doesn’t actually want to bless us, and we have to trick him into it or earn his blessings.
TRUTH: God is actually incredibly generous! He LOVES to give good gifts!
๐ฃ LIE 3. He is tricky.
Many of us believe that God is like the tricky father who gives a stone instead of bread or a snake instead of a fish.
We doubt his commands are actually good for us, and we sin because we believe he is trying to withhold something from us.
TRUTH: God is kind and straightforward and accessible — ask and receive!
๐ This quote came from today’s “Pray with Spurgeon” newsletter.
๐ฌ Every weekday, I send out a short email that features a prayer and mini-devotional, all written by Spurgeon.
It’s a great way to focus on God’s grace at the start of every day.
๐ฅ “Out of all the millions of God’s redeemed, there is not one he has forsaken. Poor they have been, mean and distressed, but he has never abhorred their prayer, never turned aside from doing them good. He has been ever with them.”
Mary was an ordinary girl with an extraordinary, godly character that gave her an uncommon faith. Even though she didn't understand all that lay ahead in her unfathomable future, she trusted God completely and humbly submitted to His will. She's an incredible example for all of us to be willing, available, and grateful for the opportunity to be used by God.
For the word of God will never fail. Luke 1:37 NLT
Friends, we can trust God even in the most difficult circumstances because no problem is too tough for Him to handle, and no challenge is beyond His power to overcome. But here's the million-dollar question - do you believe Him?๐ค
If your answer is no, I encourage you to find a quiet place to be alone and pour out your doubts to your loving Father, who specializes in impossibilities.๐ช๐ป๐๐ป๐ฅ
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6.
Jesus Christ is His name, and there is no other who could be all that He is to you and me...
๐๐ปHe came into the world to be our Prince of Peace— something that far exceeds what we experience on an earthly level( John 14:27 ).
๐๐ปHe came to be our Wonderful Counselor through the Holy Spirit( John 14:16–21; 15:26; 16:7–15 ).
๐๐ปHe came to reveal Himself as our Mighty God( Matt. 1:23; 11:27; John 1:14; 14:9; Heb. 1:1–3 ).
๐๐ปHe came to restore our relationship with Himself— our Eternal Father( Rom. 5:10, 11; 2 Cor. 5:18–21; Col. 1:19–22 ). and,
๐๐ปHe came to make us one with Himself( John 17:21–23; Rom. 12:4, 5; 1 Cor. 1:30, 31; Eph. 4:3–6; Col. 3:14, 15 ).
Take a moment and reflect on all the ways Jesus has revealed Himself to you over the past year. Do you seek Him as your Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, and Everlasting Father when it comes to the mundane tasks of your life?
Friend, do you realize that because of Jesus, we have access to the inexhaustible goodness of God every day? Nothing we will ever encounter can exceed His grace-upon-grace; free grace, saving grace, abounding grace, and strengthening grace.
God's grace compensates for our human weaknesses, enables and energizes us to do what He calls us to do while also bringing joy and pleasure to our hearts. Grace is God's favor looking to happen. Are you looking for His grace to happen in your life today?๐
5. Gratitude is a choice
Aheart posture that leaves no room for complaining. For it is impossible to be truly thankful and filled with negativity and ungratefulness at the same time.
So let's choose to be grateful for BIG things, small things, and everything in between, knowing ALL good things come from our great God❤️
The older I get, the less I like change; I prefer the comfort and safety of being a creature of habit. Maybe it's because the world around me changes so rapidly that I have difficulty keeping up with it, and morally speaking, I don't want to. But I'm in a season of life where my refusal to acknowledge (not condone) certain changes can damage relationships with people I love, and I need help to ensure that does not happen. Is this something you're currently struggling with too?
No matter what season of life we're in or the seemingly insurmountable changes they bring, our God is the same yesterday, and today, and forever. We can trust Him to help us in our struggle to relate to the ever-changing ways of this world and its people; all we have to do is ask...
๐๐ปFather, thank You that our confidence in Your love, Your power, and Your authority never need be shaken, for You are immutable. Your character, divine will, and covenant promises can never change. Please help me honor You in relationships with those who are different than me; help me love others the way you love me, and I ask for Your grace to overcome whatever obstacles get in the way. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
๐๐ผ♀️Want to go deeper? If you need assurance that our God never changes, read these passages of Scripture, then ponder them in Your heart before you pray. Heb 13:8; James 1:17; Mal 3:6; 1 John 1:5; Numbers 23:19.
The man who had been blind had heard the same questions over and over. He did not know how or why he had been healed, but he knew that his life had been miraculously changed, and he was not afraid, to tell the truth.
"I don't know whether he is a sinner," the man replied. "But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!" John 9:25.
Friends, we don't need to know all the answers to share Jesus with others. When we let our love and gratitude lead the way of our testimony, we can trust God will use our words to help others believe in Him too.
Do you have loved ones still blind to Jesus' amazing grace? If so, you're not alone, my friend. Drop a ๐๐ป in the comments to show you're trusting God to do what only He can do!
We become what we think, and the enemy knows this. He plants subtle lies within our thoughts that make us doubt God's goodness. He's a sly little sucker who works covertly, so we don't always recognize when our minds begin to stray. If we want to keep the devil's thoughts out of our heads, we better be diligent about filling them with God's Word.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. Phil 4:8
Paul understood that our minds steer our decisions and dictate how we live our lives. Unfortunately, thinking right thoughts is contrary to our fallen nature, so we have to be intentional about guarding our minds. If we don't, negativity will take root and spread like kudzu, poisoning not just our lives but all our relationships too.
Friends, the war the enemy wages in our minds is fierce. But with a commitment to change, the power and presence of God, the taste of victory can be ours. If you'd like to take a stand against the enemy's assault, here are four steps to help you get started:
๐๐ปDon't ignore negative thoughts; ask God for help recognizing them and then replace them with the truth. 1 Cor 10:5
๐๐ปAudit and prioritize the information you ingest each day. Remember, Jesus, says the eye is the body's lamp, so if our eyes look at unhealthy content, our whole body will be full of darkness. Matt 6:22-23
๐๐ปGuard your inner circle; if you want God's joy, spend time with those who love God, His Word, and His people. As ambassadors for Christ, we are to be witnesses to the lost, which we cannot do if we refuse to associate with them. However, Jesus warns us about entering into intimate friendships with naysayers and non-believers because they could negatively influence our faith and interrupt our path with God. Ps 1:1-3
๐๐ปResist the temptation to conform to the world's ways and its people. A woman regularly influenced by those with little respect for God eventually becomes increasingly comfortable with human viewpoints and less aware of God's blessings. Rom 12:2.
Have you ever grown tired of praying for something or someone? Paul says we should "devote" ourselves to prayer and be "alert" in prayer. Our persistence is an expression of our faith that God answers our prayers. Faith shouldn't die if the answers come slowly, for the delay may be God's way of working His will in our life.
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Colossians 4:2 NLT
When you feel tired of praying, know that God is present, always listening, always answering—maybe not in ways you had hoped, but in ways that he knows are best. As we talk with Him, listen to Him and obey what He speaks to our hearts through His Word, He works mightily to show us the victory.
6. Do you feel free to be authentic with God when your life is in turmoil?
When my need is great, and my pain is fierce, I sometimes feel like I need to sugarcoat my prayers. I worry that wobbly emotions = weak faith and lack of trust. But, when we struggle silently, pretend to be something we're not, we give the enemy temporary victory.
When navigating times of crisis and uncertainty, it's helpful to remember God's goal is friendship with us, not lip service from us. Intimacy between God and man begins with honesty and authenticity. We see this principle illustrated by David, whom the Bible calls "a man after God's own heart."
But I call to God, and the LORD will save me. Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice. Psalm 55:16-17 ESV
David's pain following a close friend's betrayal isn't masked here. He doesn't utter a carefully crafted, respectable prayer because His intimate friendship with the Lord allows him to be brutally honest in his grumbles and groans.
Friends, God already knows our thoughts and anxieties, so there's no point trying to hide them from Him. He wants us to be comfortable with Him, to lean upon Him, to open up our mouths and talk to Him, just like we do with our closest friends and family. Your Daddy already knows what you need, my friend, His arms are open, and He is ready and waiting for you!
How do you respond when your prayers for delivery from trouble seem to go unheard?
I've been there, friend, and I remember the frustration and increased desperation accompanying the silence. But I discovered a fundamental principle's at work here, but we cannot see it until we get to the other side of that trial:
๐๐ปTrials are unavoidable, but that doesn't mean that they have to be unprofitable.
๐๐ปEvery tear we shed in trust fertilizes the ground for a future miracle and deeper intimacy with the Lord.
In other words, trusting God means choosing to grow through what we go through so our obedience cannot be contingent upon our rescue or relief. More than anything else, God wants us to love Him for who He is, not just what He does or doesn't do for us.
Although we may not understand the why behind where we are, we can choose to trust in God's love for us and His promise to make everything work for our good.
If you've seen God bring something good from a season of suffering or disappointment, give Him praise
7. What are you seeking to accomplish in your life?
Most of us set goals for the future around our families and professional life. We rarely, if ever, give thought to individual spiritual goals because we look at our Christianity as a one-and-done act of faith. But the reality is; this life-altering decision merely places our feet on God's divine starting line.
Friends, when we set aside all our lofty worldly goals and prioritize getting to know our Savior's heart and God's will, our perspective on life changes. He begins to realign our priorities and dreams so they align with His, which are extravagantly better than our own.
Life's greatest adventures begin with trading our ambitions for Jesus' affection and our seeking accomplishments to become His accomplices - being in cahoots with Jesus is a blast!๐ฅ
Where do you tend to run ahead of God? Although I do it subconsciously, the temptation to "help" God is usually related to my finances. Rather than focusing on my ministry, I allow my bank balance to distract me from His purpose: to read, study, and share the Gospel message so others will come to know Him.
God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 NLT
Friends, though we often forget Paul's promise to new believers in Thessalonia, applies to us too. Our God has never started a project He did not finish. The thing that steers us off His path is our need to see too far ahead; we want concrete evidence that we're on the right track.
In our angst to arrive at our destination on our timetable, we forget that God only promises us the grace we need for the current day - not tomorrow, the next day or even the next. It's our faith and obedience today that matter most to Him; after all, He put us together, so He knows how to put us to our greatest use.
Is it just me, or is this nonsensical behavior to distrust God to bring to fruition what He calls us to do, something you struggle with too?
Have you ever given thought to the fact that God reserves the right to know you first?
๐๐ปI knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb... Jer 1:5
Before medical science can even determine a woman is pregnant, God alone knows the secret moment of our conception...
๐๐ปYour eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Ps. 139:16
No one understands us better than God. He creates us with a unique and fulfilling purpose, and He sees in advance all the amazing things He can accomplish in and through us IF we were to surrender to Him.
Yet, we often resist drawing close because, deep down, we don't believe that He'll love us or accept us because of things we have or haven't done.
Oh Lord, in these moments, will you please remind us that you are so much bigger than we think you are. That our doubts and our fears don't scare you; that we can cast our cares upon you - that you love and understand us and invite us to walk beside you, to be led by you and forever loved by you.๐
When God redeems your life from the pit, you can't help but speak out about what He's done for you. Lord knows I'm a living testimony to that fact; there is nothing I like to talk about more than the wonder of my Savior.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever Psalm 107:1 NLT
Everything changes when the Good Shepherd appears.
๐๐ปLoneliness diminishes because we have fellowship;
๐๐ปdespair decreases because He restores our vision; and
๐๐ปconfusion clears because He gives us a sense of purpose and direction.
Oh, mercy me, I know I hear a hallelujah out there somewhere; when living in God's presence, we simply cannot keep this glorious experience to ourselves!
"God can move mountains, but don't be surprised when He throws you a shovel," one of my favorite quotes from the awar-winning book, Laughing through the Ugly Cry...and Finding Unstoppable Joy.
If you're looking for a great read over the Thanksgiving holidays, I can't think of a better choice. Although I read every day, it's been many years since I've read an entire book in one sitting, but I didn't want to put this book down, and neither will you!
Dawn's gifting to tell her story, even the hard parts with humor, is astounding. There were times where I laughed out loud then thought, how on earth could that be funny - yep, she has a rare gift that she's generously sharing to help us discover how to:
๐๐ปShut down negative feelings causing you to feel inadequate
๐๐ปIdentify the pros despite how challenging the cons may seem
๐๐ปEmbrace joy wherever you can find it
๐๐ปLearn how to be honest with yourself and process grief in a healthy way
๐๐ปFind happiness and purpose even during tragic circumstances.
"Even in the face of all the things we cannot control in life, we can choose to let them give us wisdom and a choice to look for joy and grab hold of it. Be willing to find joy in the small spaces between the fear and confusion and make that the moral of your story."
Laughing through the Ugly Cry...and Finding Unstoppable Joy
How do some Christians fare better than others during life's storms? What do they possess that allows them to continue moving forward while resisting the temptation to be enveloped by the fear of their circumstances? To answer this question, let's look at the life of King David, one of the Bible's most celebrated heroes who sinned grievously yet loved God relentlessly.
If you're familiar with David's story, you've no doubt noticed that his most extraordinary moments of praise occur during his darkest days. We see the secret ingredient for his courage and confidence in the following passage:
One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. Ps 27:4
David's intimate relationship with the Lord wasn't just the anchor for his confidence; it was his greatest joy in life! As he made pursuing God his life's goal, he experienced the gift of God's glory demonstrated in tangible ways. As their intimacy increased, so did David's understanding and confidence in his Father's love for him. A love so bright it illuminated the darkness of his circumstances, cast out all his fears, and allowed him to rest in utter dependence upon the Lord.
David's life echos Jesus' command and conditional promise that when we seek God first, everything else in life will fall perfectly into place. In other words, we can't have part-time faith and expect full-time victory.
Sadly, most of us have a conveniently placed blind spot when it comes to the amount of time and attention we dedicate to our relationship with God. We, you and me, are the reason Jesus died upon that tree, and he didn't do it solely to save our souls. He gave His life so we'd have the freedom and privilege to speak directly to God, to come to know Him, and grow to love Him.
Like David, as our intimacy with God grows, His love breaks the chains that bind us, allowing us to trust in our Father's love. The more God-dependent we become, the greater our trust and expectancy for His intervention and deliverance from our circumstances. What one step can you take today to grow closer to Christ?
Being a Christian isn't simply about doing a lot of "Christian" things; it's about knowing Jesus intimately, personally, and meaningfully.
Looking back on Jesus' time spent on earth, we learn He trained His disciples primarily by being with them - walking with them, talking with them, eating with them, laughing with them, and listening to them. Jesus welcomed the disciples' questions, just as He does ours today.
Friends, distance distorts reality; closeness has a way of confirming the truth. Time spent with the Lord in prayer, fellowship, and study of His Word increases our awareness of God's presence and energizes us to accomplish His purpose for our lives.
If our proximity to Jesus determines the depth of our relationship with Him, how would you describe your level of intimacy with Him today?
Sometimes disappointments in this life can leave us feeling like we're drowning in a sea of sorrow. I've been there, friend; I know the pain you feel makes you doubt God's promises are real. Yet here I stand on the sandy shores of a future I could not see nor imagine before Jesus carried me through what I was sure would be the death of me.
Oh sweet sister-in-Christ, let me assure you, your life is far from over! Believe it, open your mouth and declare it - in the power of Jesus' name, my friend:
"Lord, I know you have plans for me; plans to prosper me, not to harm me, plans to give me a hope and a future far beyond what I feel I've lost. I cannot wait to see you standing on the water's edge of the glorious future and God-sized dreams you have waiting for me!"
Do you find it challenging to be patient and wait for the Lord to answer your prayers? I confess, sometimes waiting is hard for me. I'm a "get it done" kind of girl, so the more desperate my need, the less patience I have to wait. But, I'm learning, doing God's will often requires waiting patiently.
When God's timing to respond doesn't match my expectations, Psalm 40 is one of my "go-to" places for strength. Here David relies on the historical precedent of God's faithfulness in his life to endure an extended season of waiting. Like an attorney presenting facts to a judge or jury, David's prayer for help details God's mercy in the past:
I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. Psalm 40:1-2 NLT
David's story illustrates that blessing is often preceded by a season of waiting, yet it's never time wasted when we're walking with God. David received four benefits from waiting:
๐๐ปGod lifted him out of his despair.
๐๐ปGod set his feet on solid ground.
๐๐ปGod steadied him as he walked.
๐๐ปGod put a new song of praise in his mouth.
Friends, we are never hopeless despite being helpless because our God is the same today as He was in David's day. He doesn't wait for us to get our emotions in check before coming to our rescue; His only requirement is our trust.
๐กWhat burden can you entrust to God as you walk with Him in your season of waiting?
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT
When in the throes of a painful betrayal and divorce, Paul's message to new believers in Corinth kept popping up during my BWG. At the time, it was impossible to imagine a future where I felt no pain, much less use it to help someone else. Still, on March 3, 2017, I recorded these words in my journal after reading 2 Corinthians 1:-11:
"Kelly, refuse to fixate on what someone did to you and accept the comfort that Jesus offers you today. Lean in, pay attention to what God is doing in you during this season and trust Him to give meaning and purpose to your pain. There will come a day when you will be able to use what He is teaching you to help another who hurts the way you do."
Those words felt fake when I wrote them, yet here I am almost five years later and can no longer count the number of women I've been able to comfort with the words, "me too, my friend - but God..."
Oh, sweet sister-in-Christ who feels like your drowning in a sea of suffering; I see you, and your heavenly Father does too. The God of ALL comfort stands waiting for you; will you trust Him?
8. Do you believe joy is possible in the midst of painful circumstances?
But this beautiful treasure is contained in us-cracked pots made of earth and clay-so that the transcendent character of this power will be clearly seen as coming from God and not from us. (2 Corinthians 4:7 Voice)
Learning to rely on God's power within us doesn't come naturally. It takes time and travels down broken roads that bring us to our knees in desperation. Only after seeing the frailty of our strengths and earthly comforts will we learn to depend upon Him instead.
In our verse from 2 Corinthians, the apostle Paul reminds us; we are like jars of clay— common, weak, and our value is measured by what we contain. It is Christ in us who gives us worth, power, wisdom, and joy. And when He accomplishes His will through us, He does so in ways far above and beyond our human abilities so that others will see what He has done and want to know Him, too!
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9.
Nothing in this life is certain except God's love. Yet, we can be so emotionally unhealthy that we refuse to experience and absorb His love into our hearts and minds.
Unhealthy hearts not only condemn themselves but also condemn others. Many of us have experienced this first hand through the pains of betrayal and divorce. How tragic to think a change in circumstances miraculously leads one to discover personal happiness.
As long as we use people as props for God, unhappiness will follow us wherever we go. The fact is, unhappy people are not made happy by marriage or a change of circumstances - only through a change of ❤️
Since troubles abound while living in our temporary home, I thought I'd jump-start the week with a powerful passage I read during my BWG this morning.
For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. 1 John 5:4 (ESV)
John's point in the verse above is crystal clear: if you believe that Jesus is God's Son and have placed your faith in Him as your personal Savior, you are an overcomer. He isn't saying you will be an overcomer when you get to heaven; you are already an overcomer, right now at this moment, whether you feel like it or not. (cf 1 John 2:13)
In the original language, the word overcomer means "to have conquering power;" it reflects a genuine superiority that leads to overwhelming success. So what this passage tells us is our victory is demonstrable; it involves overthrowing an enemy so that our victory is unmistakable.
In case you still have doubts, Jesus uses the same Greek word from this passage to describe Himself in John 16:33:
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (ESV)
Sometimes we forget who we are and, consequently, forfeit the confidence and victory that is our birthright as born-again believers in Jesus. But let's tuck this truth nugget in our hearts as a constant reminder that because of our union with Christ, we have CONTINUAL VICTORY until we finally get to go home and meet Him face to face.๐
My life was an open book painted with pretty pictures of a seemingly perfect life until suddenly it wasn't. I'd been controlled and deceived by the one I trusted so that he was all I had. With no job, no home, and no hope – my sole survival plan was to cling tightly to Jesus' hand.
When all our props are gone, and we have nothing but Jesus to lean upon, a season that feels terrifying has the potential to be the best thing that ever happens to us. We've all been a prisoner of fear at one time or another—fear of rejection, misunderstanding, uncertainty, sickness, or even death. When my worst nightmare came true, I discovered the key to freedom is surrender.
Friends, fear is a dark shadow that envelopes us and ultimately imprisons us within ourselves. But when we surrender all that we are and all that we have to Jesus, we are set free- every fear fades in the face of Jesus!
What if scenarios used to steal my peace and dictate every aspect of my life. I had no idea there was another way to live until the apostle Paul enlightened my mind:
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. (Rom 8:5 ESV)
Paul puts people in two categories: those who let themselves be controlled by their self-serving "sinful natures" a/k/a flesh, and those submitted to and led by the Holy Spirit. All of us would be in the first category without Jesus' sacrifice.
Ultimately, the believer's life presents two choices: living in the flesh or living in the Spirit, but we cannot do both. Will we struggle to meet our own needs, or will we listen and respond to the inner knowings of the Holy Spirit and trust Jesus to meet our needs?
If you're not sure which camp you fall in, the list of key indicators below will tell you.
๐๐ปA mind controlled by the flesh is fueled by the fear of what might be. "What if" syndrome instills fear, which prompts us to try harder and work longer. We struggle and strive to establish our identities by the world's standards; I-itis rules us:
- I need to prove myself.
- I need to make you like me.
- I need to try harder.
- I need to succeed.
Life in the flesh is never at rest; there is always something more to be accomplished, experienced, or achieved.
๐๐ปOn the contrary, a mind controlled by the Spirit urges us to rest in our identity in Christ. We know we are fully loved and accepted, and therefore, can be content and "bloom" where God has us today without worrying about tomorrow:
- God cares for me.
- God created me for His glory.
- All of my needs are met in Him.
- I am God's child, equipped and enabled to accomplish whatever He sets before me.
Friends, the good news is, we don't have to do this on our own. We have Scripture to help us discover God's ways and the Holy Spirit to help us understand and then follow them. It may sound cliche but asking ourselves, "What would Jesus do?" will always point us in the right direction.๐ช๐ป
"I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away." John 16:1 ESV
Context is everything when it comes to reading the Bible. For example, this passage is a quote from Jesus given as His opening statement before delivering disturbing predictions for the disciples' future. He tells them they won't just be expelled from the synagogues, but they'll also be killed for obeying His call to the Great Commission. What on earth could Jesus have said to make them persevere, even in the face of death?๐คท๐ผ♀️
"But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me." John 15:26 ESV
The Greek word translated as Helper is paraklฤtos which means intercessor consoler or comforter. Specifically, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to take His place with the apostles after His ascension to heaven. His Spirit wouldn't just be with them; He'd be IN them, illuminating their minds with a deeper understanding of the Gospel truth and giving them divine strength to push through trials and persecutions on behalf of God's Kingdom.
When we find it hard to push through challenging circumstances, all we need to do is remember that Jesus' words apply to us too!
๐๐ปAs our intercessor, the Holy Spirit prays for us when we don't know what to pray.
๐๐ปAs our counselor, He gives us spiritual discernment to understand Scripture so that it comes alive in our hearts and gives us the strength to endure anything that comes our way.
Friend, I pray you don't miss the critical detail in this story - the only way we can experience the power of God's Spirit is to read God's Word๐ฅ
When we are obedient followers, living by the truth of God's Word, the Holy Spirit's power within us is absolutely unstoppable!!๐ช๐ป
Living a life that's filled with hope, joy, and peace isn't just possible; it's promised:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NIV).
When our trust is rooted in Jesus, God promises to give us lives that aren't just filled with hope, joy, and peace but also every other gift of His Spirit. So if there's one decision we make today, friends, let it be to trust in Jesus, no matter what! ๐๐ป
I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure. Psalm 119:162 NLT
If we think of the Bible as an ancient book that's difficult to understand, we won't value it much, and we'll read it even less. But if we approach our time in the Scriptures with the mindset that we are meeting Jesus, we'll treat it as a priceless treasure. We'll dive into it often and reap the rewards of intimacy with Jesus and fulfillment of God's promises.
Harry Ironside was a Canadian-American Bible teacher, preacher, theologian, and author who pastored the famous Moody Church in Chicago from 1929 to 1948. His quote from over half a century ago still stands today, "If it's new, it's not true, and if it's true, it's not new."
2 Timothy 4:3-4 NIV For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
Despite the Bible's warnings about false prophets, it's still soul-crushing to see so many people falling for the massive misrepresentations of God's Word that allow each person to choose their own "truth." Even respectable pastors feel forced to serve watered-down versions of Christianity because we've become a society grievously afflicted with the enemy's bait of offense. So this begs the question, how will Christianity survive if no one is willing to stand up and speak out?
As Christ's ambassadors, we have a responsibility to grow in the correct knowledge of the Lord, deepen our understanding through careful study, and teach the truth to others. However, no matter how much we learn, we must never abandon the fundamental facts about Christ found in the Bible. The teachings of Jesus are fixed and unalterable. (Jude 3, Heb. 13:8) That means we should test everything by "What do the Scriptures say?" If someone presents us with "truth" that does not line up with the Bible, then we should reject it too. Do you see major changes in the religious landscape of your community or church?
Nothing in this life is more valuable than the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God. It's our supernatural treasure map that shows us how to live lives that reflect His glory and make others, including non-believers, sit up and take notice. You see, it's not how much money we make or the kind of car we drive that commands attention; it's the things that money cannot buy:
๐๐ปThe courage to stand when the storms of life are wearing us down,
๐๐ปAstonishing faith that still believes even when we cannot see,
๐๐ปUnquenchable hope, despite feeling like we're at the end of our rope,
๐๐ปEcstatic joy and happiness that circumstances cannot sway,
๐๐ปExtraordinary fruitfulness and satisfaction of walking with divine purpose,
๐๐ปOverflowing gratitude that makes us able to love, even when it's hard, and
๐๐ปThe unabashed delight of doing life with Jesus, who makes ALL things possible.
Friends, when we're facing the impossible, let's remember we aren't on this journey alone; Jesus is with us. He makes His virtues available to us when we read, digest, and live by God's wisdom recorded upon the pages of Scripture - the only source capable of making what seems incredible perfectly credible!❤️๐ช๐ป๐ฅ
Hebrews 12:2 NIV fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
How is God's joy our strength? Hebrews 12:2 tells us, "Jesus... for the joy set before Him endured the cross." That means
๐๐ปJesus' delight is in forgiving us and saving us;
๐๐ปit makes Him happy to show love to those who believe and trust in Him.
So the next time we start feeling weak or worried because things are out of our control, let's stop and remind ourselves that the Lord loves to step in and be our deliverer. Then His joy really will be our strength.๐ช๐ป
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
The apostle Paul urges us to reject and replace rogue thoughts with scripture because the mind is the primary battlefield for spiritual warfare. Remember, what we focus our minds on has lasting ramifications. That's because a thought reaps action, action reaps a habit, a habit reaps our character, and our character reaps our destiny.
"Faith is acting like it's so even when it's not so in order that it might be so simply because God said so." Tony Evans
Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith always precedes sight; ๐๐ปonce we have sight, it's no longer faith - it's a certainty. ๐๐ปFaith is verifiable. We never have to guess if we have faith because it shows up in our walk, not just our talk. ๐๐ปIt empowers us to obey God even when we cannot see the reality or rationale of our obedience from a human perspective.
Friends, the reason God urges us to live our lives by faith is so we can experience Him and His desire to intervene in our situations supernaturally. He wants to reveal His love and power in ways that leave no doubt in anyone's mind that He is God and there is no other.
On the flip side, the absence of faith results in the absence of the manifest presence of God. In other words, we can believe in God but never experience His existence in our day-to-day life. I don't want to make that mistake, and neither do you, so let's faith it 'til we make it, trusting in the process of God's providential hand.
A woman who has God in her heart fights her battles differently. ๐๐ปAt the first sign of struggle, she doesn't lash back or attack; she kneels.
The term resistance movement describes situations in which oppressed people rise up against their oppressors. Resistance fighters take the stance, "I'm not going to stand idly by and allow this evil to continue. I choose to resist the wrongs. Whether I live or die in resisting my oppressor, I will no longer live as I have been."
๐๐ปResistance in prayer is the biblical approach to confronting and overcoming the devil. Peter wrote, "But resist him, firm in your faith" (1 Pet. 5:9). James echoed this teaching: "Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you" (James 4:7, 8). Both Peter and James make clear that we are to resist evil through our persevering prayers actively.
When we fight our battles on our knees, victory will be ours, every single time!๐ช๐ป๐๐ป
There's only one way to cultivate the courage to face the facts of life with eyes of faith - spending time with Jesus. Even the religious leaders who opposed Jesus noticed the miraculous transformation in His followers after spending time with Him.
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 NIV
If you'd like to have more courage, start spending time with Jesus, show Him that you're interested in His will for your life by reading His Word. As the light of truth dispels your fear, you best get ready, friend, because joy will be coming for you!!
So don't hide your light! Let it shine brightly before others, so that the commendable things you do will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their praise to your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16 TPT
If we live for Christ, we will glow like lights, revealing to others what He is like. The Aramaic word for "light" (noohra) is often used as a metaphor for teachings that bring enlightenment and revelation into the hearts of men. Light can also represent the presence of God; Jesus is the light of God within us.
Despite the pressure we might feel, we have to resist shutting our light off from the rest of the world. Some of the ways we hide our light are:
(1) being quiet when we should speak,
(2) going along with the crowd,
(3) denying the light,
(4) letting sin dim our light,
(5) not explaining our light to others, or
(6) ignoring the needs of others.
Does anyone know that you are a light burning with the fire of heaven? What "good works" do they see you doing that reflect well on your heavenly Father? How does your faith cause you to behave differently from anyone else?
Did you know that most of us cannot articulate core beliefs about ourselves? That's because our childhood experiences form much of what we believe. Consequently, we lack the emotional maturity required to discern between what we perceive and what's real. Before you decide you're an exception to this rule, let me offer a few scenarios that might reveal otherwise.
When you think about your childhood home, were your parents over-controlling, rigid, dominating, or critical? Was there a lack of harmony in your home? If so, prayerfully read and consider the following highly probable false beliefs.
A person that guards their emotions; you struggle with trusting people and their moods. Underlying fear fuels a subconscious need to feel secure, validate your worth and show others you are strong, independent, and can survive without help. You hate conflict but feel like you have to fight to get what you want. As a result, you often find yourself in a tug of war, trying to please others so you'll feel validated and feeling understood and being right so you'll feel valued.
Sweet friend, there's no shame in admitting the truth. ALL of us are flawed humans dependent upon God to show us who we are. ALL of the above applied to me, and those false beliefs are the root cause for multiple failed relationships and many regrets in how I parented my children. The good news is, we are never too far gone for God's redemption, restoration, and healing. The first step in living out our identity and confidence in Christ is identifying the lies that drive us the most and replacing them with God's Truth.
๐๐ปGod's power is made perfect in my weakness. 2 Cor 12:9
๐๐ปGod guides the humble in what's right. Ps 25:9
๐๐ปMy security comes from knowing Christ. 2 Cor 1:21-22
๐๐ปIt is not by my power or strength but by His Spirit. Zech 4:6
๐๐ปThe Lord is my safety and refuge. Ps 4:8; 18:2
๐๐ปAs I trust in Christ, His peace will guard my heart and my mind. Phil 4:7
๐๐ปMy life depends on Christ; He is the vine, and I am the branch. Without Him, I can do nothing. John 15:5