Tag: grace

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The Power of One

As humans, we care about numbers. How many friends we have. How big our salary is. How many people watch this show. Or even how many people show up to our event.

God is not always like this. Great numbers of people coming to Christ for the first time is special to Him, yes. But so is just one. God will gladly orchestrate a situation for you to reach one person, even if it is inconvenient for you. Check out what Jesus said here:

““Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

Luke 15:4-7 NIV

Or the situation with the Woman at the Well:

“Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)”

John 4:1-8 NIV

Jesus was passing through & knew He had to stop there in order to reach this woman. I wonder if it was a bit inconvenient for Him & His disciples. But to reach that one woman mattered enough to Jesus to make His way there. When you read further in John 4, you will see that, because He took the time to reach her, she reached her town.

That is why the ONE matters to God. Because the ONE rarely remains just one.

What does that mean for us? It means that you can make a huge difference. You matter so much to God & to His kingdom. It means that when you are sent on a weird route or you are on a detour you didn’t expect – look out for one that you need to reach. Because God will orchestrate something just like that.

Out of 7 billion people in the world, God celebrates when one comes to Christ. Because each of His children matter to God.

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No Matter What

It seems the older I get, the more I realize how trust in God is our lifeline.

So many bad things can happen to us – it doesn’t matter how “holy” you are. But knowing that, no matter what we face, God has our back & will work everything out for our good. That knowledge brings a peace that knows no understanding.

Whatever you are going through, give it over to God & trust His ways. Lean into Him and find rest.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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Shelter

I am in a rather long season of singleness. Being alone can make you lonely sometimes, but it is in this time of “aloneness” that I’ve found a special relationship with God.

He is my shelter & my foundation. My lack of person, in the wee hours of the night, has lead me to late night talks with the Holy Spirit. I can lean into Him and find my hiding place – my safe place, where I can share those things that no one else know.

Psalm 91:3-6 says “Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stocks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.”

This is the promise for me & for you. In the darkness, he will cover you…when the arrow flies, he will cover you…when the person talks behind your back, when you are overlooked, when you feel defeated, broken or misunderstood, he will cover you.

In those “wee hours of the night” talks, remember to tell the Holy Spirit all that is on your heart & let him wrap you up in himself. You have shelter in him.

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Unity

Unity – the state of not being multiple. That is what Christ wants for His church. If you consider yourself a Christ-follower, He is speaking about you & I. It is no secret that, in America, unity is not where we are in our country. So many of us are waiting for our government to unify us, make this country better. But we can’t depend on them to do that. It must start in the church…with us!
So many things could divide us if we let differences matter. I am very blessed to attend a church that is multiracial, multigenerational, and multi-socioeconomic. We aren’t a perfect church because that doesn’t exist. But the fact that we have many differences and yet we are one family says so much. It shows me that unity within the body of Christ is possible.

We are going to be different. We are going to have Democrats & Republicans, different races, some people wealthy and others that aren’t – and still work for the same goal. The Church should be where unity starts.  

Let’s show love to others regardless of how different someone is to us. Speak truth, yes. Preach the word, yes. Live righteously, yes. But love people like God loves. Seek justice for those who deserve it. Treat all people like they have value…because they do. Everyone is made in God’s image.  

Let’s start being the change we wish to see in the world & living boldly. Who is joining me?

““A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.””

‭‭John‬ ‭13:34-35‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:1-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:12-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3:26-29‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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How’s the view?

Can I be honest with you readers? Christians do not always have it all together. Nope, we are lost at times. Sometimes, we even get discouraged. We are like sheep who forever need a shepherd. I am a sinner in need of a Savior every day. On my good days and on my bad days I need Jesus.

It’s life. We sometimes find ourselves in a hole where life becomes so overwhelming we don’t know which way is up. I wish Christianity was all rainbows and sunshine, but it isn’t. It’s scary and uncertain when life takes unexpected turns. We don’t always have it together. But we know the One who does.

We often allow our situations to skew our view of life. This world doesn’t determine the outcome of our life. No, we do and how we relate to God and our view of His grace. When we go through things, when we find ourselves in a dry place spiritually (it happens to everyone), and when life becomes overwhelming — our success is based on where we place our trust.

Do you trust your own view of the situation – the way the world sees it – or do you see it through the eyes of God? Is your faith in how things look or in God?  How easily we can get stuck in seeing things as we perceive them. But we must realize God has it all in His hands. We just have to trust Him and His plan! It is perfect!

So don’t get discouraged when things don’t happen the way we think they should. God knows and sees all. Place your life in the the One who has nail-scared hands and all things will work out for your good!

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.””

‭‭John‬ ‭16:33‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭3:4-5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.”

‭‭Nahum‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:28-30‬ ‭NLT‬


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What is it good for?

War is a part of our reality. I may live in Suburbia, USA and not physically see it outside my door, but many in this world do. War makes you paranoid and scared. There is no safety when you are at war. It is a terrible place to be in.

War goes on in the spiritual world too. My pastor this week spoke on how the enemy comes as a lion ready to pounce. That is how he is. We are never free from those attacks either. War is all around us.

But we can win this war if we understand a few things: (1) that our battle is not with others, but with Satan and all his army and (2) to defeat the enemy, you need a type of warfare – which is prayer. You will not win this war without the aid of God. In order to win any spiritual battle you must let Him lead.  

So don’t give up – don’t allow the enemy to get under your skin. Just go to God, find rest in Him, and let your heavenly Daddy take care of it. Yes, you might have to walk through some valleys and yes, it is going to be hard. But our Abba wants to see you succeed.  

Speak victory over yourself, your situation, and all those involved. Let the enemy know he has not and will not win. This war has already been won a long time ago on top of a wooden cross at Calvary. 

Be blessed dear friends!

“The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. 

He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. 

Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. 

My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23:1-6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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Circling

Imagine what Israel felt like walking around and around and around the mountain. An 11 days journey took 40 years. How discouraged would you be? 
This isn’t Gilligan’s Island – it isn’t some glorified storyline to entertain; this was the reality for an entire generation. This wilderness season lasted the rest of their life.  

Have you felt like you are in an everlasting wilderness season? Feeling like it will never end and life will not get better.  

But I want you to remember that God never left the Israelites. He sent manna from the sky to feed them and eventually, God ended their nomadic season to possess the land promised. God kept them and his plan remained the same – even if it took them a little longer to see it out.

No matter how long your wilderness season has lasted, God hasn’t forgotten you. He has a plan and great things are ahead. Cling to God, listen to his voice and follow his lead. He will start to make rivers in your wasteland!!

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. The wild animals in the fields will thank me, the jackals and owls, too, for giving them water in the desert. Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland so my chosen people can be refreshed. I have made Israel for myself, and they will someday honor me before the whole world.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:19-21‬ ‭NLT‬‬ (emphasis added)

““When we were at Mount Sinai, the LORD our God said to us, ‘You have stayed at this mountain long enough. It is time to break camp and move on. Go to the hill country of the Amorites and to all the neighboring regions—the Jordan Valley, the hill country, the western foothills, the Negev, and the coastal plain. Go to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, and all the way to the great Euphrates River. Look, I am giving all this land to you! Go in and occupy it, for it is the land the LORD swore to give to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and to all their descendants.’””

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭1:6-8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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Faithful

Finding yourself in a place of worry, fear or anxiety is easy. Life is hard, not just for some – but for all people. We can become so overwhelmed with ourselves, our circumstances, and what is wrong that we forget one crucial thing – God is faithful.
Our Lord never changes – he is who has always been. When he tells you he is going to do something, believe it. He doesn’t belong in this carnal, messed up world that we live in. No, in fact, he is working all the pain in our lives for our good and his glory.
I have had too many moments in my life where I didn’t put my faith in him as I should and allowed worry to consume me.  I have taken up the practice of saying out loud – “God, thank you for your faithfulness” every time I feel worry or fear come over me.  It is telling him I am trusting his plan in spite of my emotions and reminding myself that he is still God.  Doing this brings peace over me.  God is sooo faithful!!
Be blessed dear readers.  Live and love boldly!!
“Understand, therefore, that the LORD your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands. But he does not hesitate to punish and destroy those who reject him. Therefore, you must obey all these commands, decrees, and regulations I am giving you today.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭7:9-11‬ ‭NLT‬‬
“Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119:90‬ ‭NLT‬‬
“True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful? Of course not! Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true. As the Scriptures say about him, “You will be proved right in what you say, and you will win your case in court.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭3:3-4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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Small acts

Have you ever wondered who the person walking down the street, sitting next to you in church, or the coworker who you talk to on the elevator is?  Maybe you know their name – but you ever wonder who they really are?
I do…all the time. Each person is so complex. We don’t know what is truly behind that smiling face. You may never know who needs a smile, “Good morning!”, or a simple encouraging word.  
There are a lot of hurting, broken people in this world and showing the love of Christ doesn’t need to be over the top or extravagant. We can change the world one small act of kindness at a time!
Be blessed, dear readers. You are ALL world changers.
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.””

‭‭John‬ ‭13:34-35‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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Did Jesus love Judas?

In a ministry I am a part of, our ministry leader has asked us to take a look at the disciples of Jesus and look at the grace He showed each of them.  Below is what I have studied on and found in this journey.

There were 12 disciples -ALL Jesus chose. They weren’t a mistake and chosen for a reason. He knew the hearts of those who he chose and how they would decide to live their life.  Not one of them was perfect, but one has always been thought of as despicable – Judas Iscariot.

The man who betrayed Jesus. The one who sent Jesus to the cross. How awful was he? My question for you is – did Christ die for everyone BUT Judas? Was Judas’ sin too great to be covered by the blood?

Answer: NO! Jesus knew he had to die. Someone had to betray him. Reality is that Jesus was born to die. If Jesus decided to give up His purpose, he could have called the Angels down and the Cross would have had to be for someone else. But He didn’t. God used Judas’ sin for the good of the world. Jesus believed in Judas’ potential or He wouldn’t have chosen him and ministered with him. Just because Judas decided to make a horrible, awful mistake didn’t mean God still didn’t want him.

Every time we sin we decide that God’s law, provision, demands are not important and therefore, we are Judas. We sell our God to walk in greed. Yet, Christ chose us. Jesus doesn’t turn our back on us. He died for us!!

Think about this – if Judas hadn’t hung himself, but came to Jesus after He had risen to repent, would Judas been redeemed & restored?  I, personally, think so. Jesus chose Judas for a reason.

Remember this: Jesus chose YOU for a reason. No matter what you have done, you are not too far gone for the love of God to reach you. Don’t give up. Jesus atoned for your death 2,000 years ago. All you need is a repentant heart – go to Christ and ask Him for forgiveness.  Then watch Him turn your life around!
Never give up – always be blessed!
Much love, dear readers!
“I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night— but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139:7-12‬ ‭NLT‬‬“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.”

‭‭John‬ ‭15:12-17‬ ‭NLT‬‬