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Pursue Peace

There is a song I loved that we sang in church growing up.  My favorite line: “I know the Peacespeaker.  I know Him by name.”  I can still hear it being sung.  It depicts a part of the character of God so perfectly – the Peacespeaker.  The one who knows how to bring peace to this world by just a word, a touch, a breathe…how awesome it is to know Him!

It is awesome because this world is in need of peace!   Life gets crazy quick.  Things happen.  There are very few good news stories.  Sickness, pain, depression, anger and strife surround us.  People go hungry, homeless, are sold into slavery, or feel so alone they decide to take their own lives.  What a world in need of a Savior!  

Christ is what the world needs!  Since we are followers of Christ – aren’t we His examples on Earth? He is the Peacespeaker – therefore, shouldn’t we try to emulate Him? 

Start a journey with me – a journey to pursue peace.  In everything we do – try to speak & do in a way that brings about connection rather than division.  No more harmful, unnecessary or mean judgement.  I, personally, have had to clean up some messes because I decided to place judgement when it wasn’t my place.  

I am starting this journey – a journey towards speaking peace over my life, my family, my friends, my job, my church, my country, and our world.  Join me!!  Let’s show everyone who God is.  Not some judge with a mallet, but a good, kind  Father who loves everyone…even in the midst of our sins.

“Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34:14‬ ‭NKJV‬

Be blessed my dear friends!

  

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Your First Love

Love…so often spoken about…we speak the most about love in the context of romance.  Finding that “one” that is yours and you their’s.  A special relationship indeed.   According to the world, this is the greatest love we can find.  But I contest there is one greater…our first love.

 Having a relationship with God, I understand that I already belong to someone…I belong to God, the Creator of the universe, the one who holds the entire world in His hands…I belong to Him and He belongs to me.  He is my first love.

He is your first love, too.  Sinners, Saints, anyone in between, He is your first love, the one Who loved you from the very beginning.  The one who sees every mistake, fault, problem, frustration, crack…loves you.  It doesn’t matter what you have done, who you are, how far you have ran…you cannot go too far to exceed the bounds of His love!

David describes this part of God’s character:

“If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me; Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.” Psalms‬ ‭139:8-12‬ ‭NKJV‬

God is love.  In that love He sent His Son to give us a chance at everlasting life:

“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” ‭‭I John‬ ‭4:9-10‬ ‭NKJV‬ (emphasis added).

If you ever feel insignificant, unimportant, forgotten, unloved…remember your first love. Remember that God loves you because you are His…you don’t have to do anything to obtain that love.  It was yours from the beginning.

Thank you, Father, for your love!

Be blessed, dear friends.

  
Haven’t accepted Christ as your Lord & Savior yet?  Pray this with me: 

Dear Lord, I am a sinner and am in need of a savior.  I ask that you forgive me of all my sins.  I ask Jesus to become my Lord & Savior and He makes a place in my heart.  I want to be made right with you.  Thank you, Lord, for loving me enough to save me.  Amen.

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We are all Anne Frank

Your impact is greater than you understand. Allow God to use you and you will live on after you are gone.

bgaigalas's avatarBoldly Radiant

I was recently watching a movie where, for one scene, they visited Anne Frank’s house in Amsterdame. I have read her diary and learned her story, as many have, but while watching the movie, a concept hit me that I have not given much thought – Anne, someone who is pretty much known world wide as giving a voice to the victims of one of the world’s worst genocides – died at the young age of 15 not knowing how great her impact on this world will be. It is all because her father decided to publish her diary that we now know who this old-soul is.

Very few of us will have this type of world-wide legacy, but do we fully understand how Our Father can use even the simplest of things we say & do without us even knowing it? I don’t think so. I honestly don’t think…

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Speak Life

Words – we use them every day, in every culture, race, gender, and country.  They can heal and they can harm.  We can use them to change the world or destroy it.  Words have power.

Have you ever asked yourself why?  Why can words destroy or repair, raise up or cut down?  How can our words be so powerful?  It’s simple – we are made in the image of God – the God whose words brought this world into existence.  A word from Him can change the entire universe in an instant.

When we understand that, as an image of our Creator, our words can change the course of our destiny, crush a relationship, or bring healing to a wounded soul – we understand the power we have.  You are powerful, my friend. No matter how insignificant you feel, life and death are in the power of your tongue.  Make your words worthwhile – bring life from your words.

So many times, I’ve said to myself – “I know (this) or (that) is going to happen!” and it does.  I just spoke things as if they were, whether it is good or bad.  If what I spoke was negative, I would be in trouble.  After a few hard lessons, I started to watch my negative speak.  I am a human so I fail from time to time, but I know the better I speak life, the more blessed I am.

I encourage you – if you have a bad habit of speaking death over yourself, I encourage you to take the rest of this week by only speaking life over yourself, your job, your family, your husband/wife, your children, and your friends.  Don’t allow your words to stunt you.  You hold the power to a better life – use it!

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18:21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

  

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Leader = Servant

I had the amazing privilege of going to Dallas Baptist University for both my degrees.  It helped me understand ministry in a unique way.  I got the business side and the spiritual side.  One thing they spoke on in every class  was the concept of servant leadership – I’m not exaggerating, we spoke about it in math class.  That is how much they believe in this concept.

If we look at the life of Christ, we see that He was the greatest example of this idea.  The best example of His servant – leadership is found in John 13 where He, God in flesh, bends down and washes the dirtiest part of the disciple’s body-their feet.  If He were an Earthly king, that would be below Him.  But the Kimgdom of Heaven operates in paradox to this world.

You & I (if you consider yourself a Christian) are citizens of Jesus’ Kimgdom and are, therefore, servant-leaders.  I’m not just talking to Pastors, Ministry leaders, Worship leaders, Youth pastors, or anyone else that could be considered a leader in the church.  No, if you are a follower of Christ, then that makes you a leader!  

Christians, as leaders, we must set an example and show Christ to everyone.  You and I have a great duty to fulfill the call of action from our Lord:

“But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.””

‭‭Mark‬ ‭10:42-45‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Live your life in service of others.  Don’t worry about what they can & cannot give you.  That is not your worry.  God has you in His hands.

Let’s do something for someone else this week-no matter how small.  It could be opening a door for somebody, buying a person lunch, visiting a sick person, or helping someone in need.  You know what you can do – so do it!

Live fearlessly, dear friends, and be blessed!

  

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Freedom

Have you had to endure something hard in life?  Have problems dealing with those issues now?  Here are some words from scripture that will help you find freedom:

  
Whatever you have endured, know that God has a plan for it to work out for YOUR good. You just have to give it to Him.

  
Know that God has been there from the beginning. Know that He understands and wants to help. You must allow Him to…He doesn’t force Himself on us. That is what makes Him a good, good Father.

   
 
Give it over to God and let Him fight your battle. Don’t allow avoidance, anger or repression be your go to. Let the Father take it off your hands and start walking in freedom

Abide in love. Love is what changes the world – not violence, hate, addiction, etc….but LOVE. Walk in that Love and you will walk in Freedom

Be blessed everyone!

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You are enough

Be you.  No one else can be you.  You were created for a purpose, a plan, there is a reason you are here.

I stated in my bio that I have always been considered a little strange.  It’s true.  I dance to my own beat, do my own thing.  I have always been that way.  Some people get me, love me.  But I have had my critics as well. 

 As I finish my last few months of my 20’s, I have to admit – I no longer care how weird people think I am because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Designed by my Father to be who I am.  And so are you!

Be bold enough to be you.  Forget who everyone else says you are.  God holds your true identity.  Let His opinion rule!

I am loved.  You are loved.  Not for the things you & I do, but because we exist, were created, and am who we are.  Do not ever forget that!

“O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me; Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You. For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139:1-18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Be blessed, dear friends, and live fearlessly!

  

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Peace

This world is full of chaos, problems, violence and hate.  It is on every corner, in every family, group of friends, and even in the church.  We are humans, therefore filled with sin.  That is a fact so naturally, peace is not a quality we are free to live in.

So, how in the world can we expect to live in peace?  How can we, in any way, be able to sleep at night after a young man, obviously disturbed, walks into a community college and kills people for being Christians?  It is not something we can do on our own, live with peace.  If we rely on our own ability, peace will never come.  

Peace comes from the Father, the one who created this world, who is all knowing, all powerful, all loving.    If we place our trust in knowing that He has it in control, He knows what is going on, and He cares for us – we can be free to live in peace.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:28-30‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”” John‬ ‭16:33‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians‬ ‭4:6-7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Give up your worry, chaos, unforgiveness, pain, issues over to God and allow yourself to rest in His peace.

Live boldly, dear friends, and be blessed.

  

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Redemption – part 2

For those that desire redemption & grace must learn to give it.  Don’t allow yourself to be an agent of the enemy.  Let go & move on!!  

We can start a movement.  As I stated in my last post – our society has no place for redemption.  Let’s find a place for it.  Let’s love boldly and unconditionally.  

This is the only way to win the war against our advisory.

Remember: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Romans‬ ‭8:1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

  

  

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Redeemed

Redemption – defined as “the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil.”  A word used in the church, but I think not many truly understand.  That is because our human brains cannot fully wrap our heads (or hearts) around it.  In reality, our society has little space for such a concept.

Have you ever seen a celebrity “fall from grace” and then try to get their life right again – only to be reminded of their past transgressions over and over again? That is the goal of our advisory – who isn’t our neighbor, church member, friend or foe.  It is the work of Satan himself.  He makes it very difficult to walk in grace, if we give him power.

Do I believe there are consequences to every sin?  Yes, of course there is.  But grace says the consequences are not a death sentence.  Once you have given your life to Christ, accepted the gift of redemption through the Cross, and make amends with those you hurt – you should get up and move on.

Don’t allow anyone or anything working for the advisory tell you otherwise.  You are redeemed, made new, whole again.  Walk with your head held high.  Love those who remind you of your past.  Let God fight your battles.  Don’t let Satan win.

If you struggle with this – I encourage you to place these scriptures somewhere you can see them everyday:

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” Ephesians‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” Titus‬ ‭2:11-14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.” I Corinthians‬ ‭7:23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians‬ ‭1:13-14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Get the enemy out of your mind & put on the mind of Christ.

Live boldly, dear friends, and be blessed!