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Never walk alone

This past weekend (March 29th) we celebrated Palm Sunday.  Therefore, this week was the last week that Christ lived before He was executed.  Pondering the significance of that this morning, I cannot imagine what Jesus went through this time in His life.  The mental torture He went through must have been excruciating. We see a glimpse of that mental torture when Christ was praying in the Garden of Gethsane (Matthew 26:36-46).

Christ’s plight through this week should be a comfort to those that go through hard times.  Especially when you see those hard times coming & you know you have to walk through them, remember that Jesus understands.  He has been there.  Lean on Him.  Let Him show you how to walk it out.  You are not alone.

Remember that the Easter story is a story of God’s love and restoration.  That, even when we walk in the valley, we will be restored as Christ was restored when He rose from the grave.

Never walk alone, Beloved.  He will give you your day of resurrection.  Trust Him.  Remember that He holds your world in His hands!

Be blessed everyone!

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Silence

After an array of events in my life, God has sent me into a season of silence.  No, not that He is silent, but that I am.  It’s not that I don’t talk to people…because I do.  It is not that type of silence.  But more of rest.  We all need seasons of rest!  So, in lieu of a post, I wanted to share some “silence” scriptures with you this week:

Psalm 46:10: Be still, and know that I am God!
                      I will be honored by every nation.
                      I will be honored throughout the world.

Matthew 11:15: Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!

Psalm 62:5: Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.

Habakkuk 2:20: But the Lord is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him.

Romans 10:17: So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

Be blessed everyone!

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The Gift We Give Ourselves

Forgiveness…a word often used in the Christian faith. We sometimes speak this word in haste, but it is one of the most powerful things that is in this world. Think about this – the Enemy (Satan) has no part of true forgiveness. He, in fact, wants us to keep remembering what they did, he did, we did as we go through life. Jesus died on the Cross so that we don’t have to…

Look at Luke 23:32-43:

Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Not only did Christ forgive a known criminal that deserved the Cross – reserved for the worst of the worst – and took him to Paradise to live forever (gives me chills!), but also forgave those who were hurting Him as they were hurting Him. Is your mind blown? Because mine is!

Even on the Cross, Jesus was our living example of how we need to live our lives. He was showing us that, even as people are hurting us, we need to forgive them. We need to show compassion on them. We need to let it go! WE NEED TO LOVE THEM. That is hard, huh? Yep. It is. But with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).

Have you been hurt? Has someone you once held close betrayed you? Are you in so much pain that you don’t know what to do with yourself? Jesus has a solution: let it go, give it to Him, and forgive those that hurt you. Don’t seek revenge, don’t try to put them in their place, don’t allow bitterness to creep in. God will take care of the consequences on their part. Allow your heart to love them as they are…because one day you will hope that someone gives you that kind of blessing.

Pray this with me: Lord, I am hurting from the actions and words of people around me. I ask you to help me forgive them. I know that this will not be easy for me, but I know that it wasn’t easy for Christ to forgive on the Cross yet He did. I know that, in your strength, I will be able to move on free from any grudges, bitterness, or pain. I ask you to help me forgive and love them just as they are and see them how you see them. Lord, bless them. I thank you for your gift of forgiveness that I do not deserve. Your grace is a precious gift. I love you, Lord. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Mind games

I am a thinker – even though I am not always much of a talker.  My mind is constantly going.  What about you?  Are you also a thinker?

Well, this often is a good thing, but there are times when my mind gets the best of me.  Why?  Because the mind is the enemy’s greatest weapon. The battles we fight start in our minds first.

I can have a perfect situation drop in my lap, a situation God has set up, and mess it completely up because I am caught up in my emotions and perceptions.  Do you do this too?  Are you often tripped up because your mind is playing games with you?  Well, let me share some hope with you:

When you are put up against other people because of one thing or another, regardless of what it is, think on this scripture –

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬ NLT)

Our fight isn’t with fellow humans, for they are our brothers & sisters.

Never stop running, people…ever.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. (‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1-4‬ NLT

Pray this with me: Father, help me fight the battle of my mind and live beyond my emotions, beyond my perceptions, and even my current situation – leaning in you and your promises only.  Help me not get caught up, discouraged, or become disheartened.  Let me walk in who you made me and finish this race that I am on in a way that pleases you.  In Jesus name, amen.

Be blessed everyone!

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Victory

People will hurt you.  You will hurt people.  Living in a fallen world, this is a guarantee and a reality we all must live with.  It is in those times when our true characters are seen.  Yep, mine, yours, theirs…all our characters will be tested at some point.  We will all have to face the sad truth that even those who love us dearly will harm us in one way or the other.

Let’s look at David.  His King who was also his father-in-law spent many years trying to kill David.  King Saul was a troubled man who spent a lot of his efforts and resources as king to take David out.  One day, David was hiding in a cave and King Saul came into the very cave David was hiding to relieve himself:

He came to the places where the sheep were kept on the way. There was a cave there, and Saul went in to get rid of his body waste. Now David and his men were sitting farther back in the cave. David’s men said to David, “See, this is the day the Lord told you, ‘See, I am about to give the one who hates you into your hand. You will do to him what you think is best.’” Then David got up and cut off a piece of Saul’s clothing in secret.  After this, David felt guilty in his heart because he had cut off a piece of Saul’s clothing.  So he said to his men, “May the Lord not let me put out my hand against my leader, for he is the Lord’s chosen one.”  David stopped his men with these words. He did not let them go against Saul. So Saul stood up and left the cave, and went on his way.

After this David got up and went out of the cave and called to Saul, saying, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David put his face to the ground, showing much respect.  David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘David wants to hurt you’?  See, your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you to me today in the cave. Some told me to kill you, but I had pity on you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my leader, for he is the Lord’s chosen one.’  Now, my father, see the piece of your clothing in my hand. I cut off the piece of your clothing but did not kill you. So know and understand that I have no desire to do wrong to you. I have not sinned against you, yet you come wanting to kill me.

1 Samuel 24:3-11

David was a man after God’s own heart – therefore he understood that, in order to win, he must not raise his hand against anyone, even when they are doing him wrong.  We must love our neighbor – just as Christ commanded in Matthew 22:36-40.  (Also see Matthew 5:44).  This is an easy thing to say, but so much harder to do.

What would happen if you were put in the same situation as David was, but with someone who has done you wrong?  Would you be able to not bring harm to them?  Or would you do something to “make them pay?”

Let me tell you a secret – if you leave the battle up to God, you will get your victory!  The story of David would have gone very different if he had not left the revenge up to God.  He would not be the revered King of Israel he became.  He is still revered today as a great King of Israel because he went the way he did.  Paul writes in Romans 12:19: “Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge; I will pay them back,’ says the Lord.” Some things need to be left to God to handle because we were never meant to carry them ourselves.

Let it go, y’all.  Let God handle it.  Why?  Because David got his Kingdom, got his Temple, and is still revered today.  Live in freedom from bitterness, anger, and strife.  Let God do what only He can do.  Don’t try to step in and do things your way.  You (and I) will only mess things up.

Our freedom is worth too much to lose it over someone else’s actions.  Live in peace with each other and we all win.

Pray this with me: Father, thank you for another day I get to see and for the sacrifice of Your Son so that  I may live in freedom and in peace.  Lord, search my heart and show me areas of my life that I’ve tried to fight battles that weren’t mine to fight, but Yours.  Help me learn to lay these things down at your feet so that I may live in the very freedom that Christ paid for on Calvary.  Fight my battles, my Father, so that we all win.  I ask you to bless my enemies and all those who despise me.  Show them your love.  I thank you for all of this.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Be blessed everyone!

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Chosen

We make choices every day.  I made a decision to get out of bed, make breakfast, run errands, and go to the gym.  I had the choice not to do any of those things and just stay in bed.  At first, I am sure it would feel good, but after a while, it would get really old.  Life is full of good and bad choices.

God created us to be able to make our own decisions and face their consequences.  All the way in the front of the Bible, we see this played out with Adam, Eve, and the serpent (see Genesis 3).  As a result, we have the ability to believe or reject just about everything.  As I am typing on this computer, I can believe that I am a billionaire.  I am not (yet), but I can still believe it.  That is my choice that I get to make.  If I spent money like I as a billionaire without being a billionaire, then I would be in very big trouble.

Due to the consequences of our personal choices, God will bring things to us and take things away.  If we decide to live by our wills and not His, then we will not be able to do what we are called to do.  God had a plan for each of us.  He created us with purpose.  This purpose is meant to glorify Him and be a blessing to those around us in some form or fashion.  This could be at our jobs, at our church, or in our families.  Our purpose is unique to us – therefore we are exceedingly important to this world.  Some of us, though, will make a choice not to do what God has called us to do.

Some are waiting to be chosen, some are wanting to do their own thing, some are just too busy with other things to do what they need to do.  I used to be someone who believed that the opportunities would just fall into my lap.  If I go to church and do good, I will get all that God promised me.  Then, I realized that if I am not doing my end of the bargain – if I did not put myself in the right place and learn the things I need to learn, then I will not achieve what I was meant to achieve in the time I was supposed to achieve it.  Will there be other chances?  Yes, I think there will be – because God is good like that.  His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Let’s look at this Parable:

Again Jesus spoke to them in picture-stories. He said,  “The holy nation of heaven is like a king who gave a wedding supper for his son.  He sent his servants to tell the people, who had been asked, to come to the supper. But the people did not want to come.

“He sent other servants, saying to them, ‘Tell those who have been asked to come, “See! My supper is ready. My cows and fat calves are killed. Everything is ready. Come to the wedding supper!”’  But they did not listen and went on working. One went to his farm. Another went to his store.  The others took hold of his servants, and hurt them and killed them.

 “When the king heard this, he was very angry. He sent his soldiers to put those to death who had killed his servants. He burned their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding supper is ready. Those who were asked to come to the supper were not good enough. Go out into the roads and as many people as you can find, ask them to come to the wedding supper.’

 “The servants went out into the roads and brought all they could find, both bad and good. The wedding supper room was full of people.  The king came in to see those who had come. He saw one man who did not have on wedding supper clothes.  He said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without wedding supper clothes?’ The man could not speak!  Then the king said to his servants, ‘Tie his hands and feet, and throw him out into the darkness. In that place there will be loud crying and grinding of teeth.’ For many are called but few are chosen.”

Matthew 22:1-14

I want to be among those who are chosen!  I want to make sure that whatever I do, I do unto God.  Because just going about doing my own thing, even if it is good, isn’t going to cut it.  I need to do exactly what God wants me to do.  I don’t want to disappoint Him.

What about you?  Do you want to live a life on purpose – that life that God meant you to live?  Are you willing to be bold about it?

Let’s do it together, y’all!  Let’s walk out this life just as God intended us to live it.

Pray this with me:  Father, thank you for making me who I am.  You put me on this earth for a reason and there is something that I can do that no one else will ever be able to do.  Help me learn exactly what you want from me and give me the boldness to walk it out.  Show me who I am in you and where you need me right at this moment and how I can get there, if I am not already there. And, finally, as I walk this life out, let me listen to your voice – only your voice – so that I remain on the road you meant for me.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Be blessed everyone!

Choose

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Restoration

I’ve heard it on the radio, I’ve seen devotions about it and I’ve seen my Facebook friends do it – picking a word for their year.  A word that they will focus on all year and make that year about THAT particular word.  (What’s your word for the year?)  Yeah…I am late on this, but I thought I had my word….until I heard differently from God.  Yep…my word is kinda awesome: RESTORE.

The definition of restore per Merriam-Webster is “to give back (someone or something that was lost or taken) : to return (someone or something); to put or bring (something) back into existence or use; to return (something) to an earlier or original condition by repairing it, cleaning it, etc.”  The implications of this word are magnificent.

I have so many things in my life that I want to see RESTORED!  Relationships, finances, housing, ministry, life, health, faith, etc., etc. – for me and for my loved ones.  Can my God do it?  YES!  Whatever the situation may be, I know that God will do it…in a mighty way, too.

Let’s delve into some scriptures:

Jeremiah 30:17

I will give you back your health
    and heal your wounds,” says the Lord.
“For you are called an outcast—
    ‘Jerusalem for whom no one cares.’”

Joel 2:25-26

The Lord says, “I will give you back what you lost
    to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts,
the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts.
    It was I who sent this great destroying army against you.
 Once again you will have all the food you want,
    and you will praise the Lord your God,
who does these miracles for you.
    Never again will my people be disgraced.

Psalm 51:12

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
    and make me willing to obey you.

Acts 3:19-21

 Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.  For he must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets.

1 John 5:4

For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.

Whatever you need restored, God can take care of it!  He has promised us RESTORATION and healing.  By HIS STRIPES we are healed, restored, made whole again.  Yep…because our Savior was broken, we are able to live a RESTORED life.  I’m so thankful for that!

What are you faithfully hoping that God restores this year?  Are you faithfully praying over that restoration and believing God will deal with it, no matter what the now looks like?

Pray this with me: Lord, thank you for your faithfulness in all things.  Thank you for the promise of restoration through the death and resurrection of your son Jesus.  Please touch the areas of my life that I and my loved ones desire and/or need restoration in.  Help me to have faith and stand on your word that all will be given back as long as I follow you!  I thank you for already doing it in my life and the lives of my loved ones.  We pray this all in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Be blessed everyone.

Restore

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Still Small Voice…

Human Beings have many chances to hear and talk to people, things, animals, situations, you name it, we’ve talked to it or tried to get it to talk to us in some form of fashion.  It is ingrained in who we are.  Communication is so important and we need that to have any connection to what we do, who we are, or who we have relationships with.  If I never spoke to my friends or family…at all…how would they know what I needed?  On the other hand…if I only talked to my friends and family, but never listened…well…we can all agree that this would not be a great relationship, right?

This is so true to God and our relationship with Him.  Prayer often consists of us talking to God, but do we ever try to listen to what He is saying?  When I was counseling, I remember one of my favorite questions to ask had two parts:  (1) do you pray to God? If they said yes, then I would ask (2) what does he say back to you?  Often…too often actually…I would get strange looks.  Many had no idea what I was saying – and I counseled at a Christian university.  Some would say yes, He spoke to them through His word.  Great, yes!  Reading the word is such an amazing tool and an essential way to understand God and hear his “voice,” but it isn’t the only way.  To have an evolving relationship with God, we need to understand that still small voice.

Let’s look at an even in Elijah’s life from 1 Kings 19:9-13:

There he came to a cave, where he spent the night.  But the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

 Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.  And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.  When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

 He replied again, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

The idea that there were 3 great events that made a big impact – a windstorm, an earthquake, and a fire, but God did not come in those forms.  He came in a gentle whisper.  Elijah had spent enough time conversing with God to understand that there is a Gentleness to his voice.  I think, those of us who do not understand or know the voice of God, may not fully understand that God is truly a Gentle Father.  To those that don’t, do this for me – next time you get that “feeling” that you should go a different way home or get a “feeling” that you shouldn’t go out with that crazy friend…think about how this could be God’s still small voice leading you down the safe path.

Prayer: I am so thankful, Father, that you operate in such a gentle way.  In your Greatness, you could come in the shock and awe of fire, windstorms or earthquakes, but you don’t.  You come in the gentle nudging and notions that are so sweet and tender.  In that part of your character, we see your unconditional and unfailing love for your children…for us.  Please, dear Lord, help each of us understand that still small voice even better than we do now so that we may know you more.  In your Son’s name, King Jesus, we pray.  Amen.

Be Blessed Everyone!

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Determination

There is a hill in Siauliai, Lithuania called the Hill of Crosses. It is just that, a hill covered in crosses. But, for something that simple, people from all over the world come to see it. Why? Because it is a symbol of determination.

After World War II, the Soviet Union took over Lithuania. In that time, the monument of crosses erected was flattened, burned, and disgraced. Each time, the people of Lithuania never gave up. They would replace the crosses each time. Finally, when they won their independence from communism, the hill became overwhelmed with crosses. A picture of the hill is below.

How many times does this happen in life? Our plans are trashed or things don’t happen like we think they should. It can make us discouraged or even cause us to give up and walk away. I encourage you not to do that. Be like the Lithuanian people and keep on rebuilding – because one day you won’t have to rebuild…

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. (‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬ NLT)

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Information about the Hill of Crosses and picture from: http://sacredsites.com/europe/lithuania/hill_of_crosses.html

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Wilderness

The story of the Israelites is interesting – it is apparent that, at some point in life, their condition is our condition. Take, for instance, the Israelites that were delivered from Egypt. They had NO faith…none. Time and time again, after God showed them who He was – they kept on turning their backs on Him. How many times do we turn our backs on God because of lack of trust and faith in Him? A lot! We continue to doubt the promises of God and allow those thoughts of doubt and unbelief cloud how we see who He is and who we are in Him. This, ultimately, leads to a season in the wilderness – wandering aimlessly.

I can personally say that I have just gone through a wilderness season. I lost sight of the promises of God on my own life and let stress, strife, and the lies of my past get a hold on me. No matter how GREAT the things God brought into my life, I couldn’t see PAST the issues of my past. And so, I was sent into the wilderness. I was sent into a place that was very lonely, scary, and I wasn’t sure when I was going to be free from wandering.

My first week “in the wilderness” – God woke me up one morning and said – “Brooke, you need to get excited!” My first reaction was “Um, what?” “Yep,” He continued, “you need to get excited because something great is about to happen!” What was God trying to tell me? He was saying that, just on the other side of the wilderness is my Promised Land. All I have to do is ENDURE it and trust HIM & do what HE tells me to do – not what others think I need to do; not allow others to put me down, get me down, tell me how awful I am because I am in the wilderness; not allow the Devil to tell me I am no good; just do what God is asking me to do.

When the Israelites finally made it to the promise land, they saw huge walls that seemed impossible to tear down. God never ceased to have a plan, though. His plan was that His people were going to get this land and all they had to do was follow His directions, no matter how absurd. He asked Joshua to bring the men of the camp with him and walk around the city six days…just walk. On the 7th day here is what happened:

15 On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner, except that on that day they circled the city seven times. 16 The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the army, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city! 17 The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the Lord. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent. 18 But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it. 19 All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the Lord and must go into his treasury.” 20 When the people heard the sound of the rams’ horns, they shouted as loud as they could. Suddenly, the walls of Jericho collapsed, and the Israelites charged straight into the town and captured it. 21 They completely destroyed everything in it with their swords—men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep, goats, and donkeys.

Joshua 6:15-21

Don’t let discouragement get the best of you – it is already ours. We just have to let those who currently inhabit it to leave. Am I saying that God is casting people out of your life? Maybe – we may need to have some people cut from our lives in order to move on. We also need to have things cut out of our lives – thoughts, actions, habits, etc. Sometimes that is a hard concept the swallow, but don’t resist. Understand that God has our best interest at heart and will not do anything to us without a reason. (Jeremiah 29:11)

If this stuck a cord with you – if you are going through a wilderness season, know this – God has a solution – just give it all over to Him and let Him fight your battle.

Lord, be with your people. Show them who they are in YOU and now who they are to anyone else. Help them understand that you do NOTHING to hurt us, but do everything to help us. Teach us to let you tear down the walls in our lives that keep us from your promises. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Be blessed everyone!

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