Tag: love

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Footsteps

Generations – my church’s theme this year. I have been thinking about this a lot lately – about whose legacy I am living out. I find it interesting that my maternal grandmother retired from the insurance business and now I currently am working in insurance. I am walking in her footsteps and find it very special. Her husband, my beloved grandfather (we called him Papa) – was one of a kind. I wish the entire world knew him because I truly believe they would fall head-over-heels in love with him. I am a little partial, though.

My grandfather only wore cowboy boots – it is a Texas thing. I loved walking around in them. They went all the way to my thighs as a young girl and I couldn’t even bend my knees, but they were my grandfather’s so I didn’t care. My heart longs to walk in his shoes today – be kind to one another, love people, take care of them. I hope I am making him proud. Another habit of his I am trying my best to immolate is reading the Bible every day. He loved that thing and you can tell it was well used when you looked at it.

Having a heart for God’s word is a vital part of having a relationship with God. John 1:1 speaks of how the Word of God was there in the beginning, it was with God and it was God – speaking, of course of Jesus Christ. Knowing the Word brings us closer to who Christ is – having that in our heart will make us like Jesus. It will also help us know when the Enemy himself is setting a trap for us so we can avoid it and not succumb to his advances.

I encourage you to spend a part of your day taking in the Word of God. You will be happier and more at peace than you ever have been. No need to be super ambitious and try to read the entire book in one sitting. Just take a chapter a day to start out. Let it flow over you like a refreshing spring. Do this and watch your life change!

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105 NIV)

Pray this with me: Father, I thank you for the Word you have provided. I want to learn it and hold it in my heart. As I start to read your word, speak to me. Show me things about my life that I need to know. I want to know you better and carry your word inside my heart. Help me continue with this good-for-me habit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Be blessed everyone!

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The Tomb

Have you ever wanted something to happen – something that would transform your life – something that God has promised you will happen – and all you see around you is any and everything that contradicts that your promise is going to come to pass?  We all have seasons in our lives like this.  We know that healing will come, reconciliation will come, peace will come, jobs will come, finances will be made right, joy will be felt once again – but it seems like those things we know will happen are so far away and seem impossible to reach.

The disciples had a season like this – and it lasted just 3 days.  I can almost guarantee that it was the longest 3 days of their life, though.  When their leader was captured, killed, and laid to rest.  Can you imagine their grief?  Can you imagine the doubt they held in their head that Jesus would rise up once again?  The fear that have encompassed them must have been unbearable.  Their dream had not only died, but tortured and humiliated.

Then, everything changed!  Sunday arrived and the supernatural happened.  What was humanly impossible became real!  Their dream came alive again! (See John 19 & 20)

Do you have a dream that you doubt will ever come to pass?  A dream that God Himself placed in your heart?  Do not give into that doubt!  You will see it come to pass.  Just know that there are supernatural things happening that we cannot perceive.  God has us all in His hands.  All we have to do is trust Him!

Pray this with me:  Lord, I cast down the stronghold of fear and doubt right now.  I know that what You have promised will come to pass.  I have faith that You will do all things in my life, no matter how humanly ridiculous it may be.  I thank You for Your grace and mercy, for your precious Son who bled and died for me.  But oh how marvelous is the gift of His resurrection!  We give You honor, dear Lord.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Be blessed everyone!

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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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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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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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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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Slaying Giants

The Bible is rich in wonderful stories that teach us how to walk this life out. One of my favorite characters in the word is David. His life has so many twists and turns, but His faith in God never changed.

A shepherd boy king…there is a profoundness in that statement. The image of how God will take the truly lowly and make them great should bring encouragement to us all. The anointing of God was on him and David was more than he could ever be by himself.

Let’s look at a part of the David’s story in 1 Samuel 17, where he came to bring food to his older brothers and ended up slaying a giant (let that statement permeate a minute in your spirit for a moment):

But when David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. “What are you doing around here anyway?” he demanded. “What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle!” “What have I done now?” David replied. “I was only asking a question!” He walked over to some others and asked them the same thing and received the same answer. Then David’s question was reported to King Saul, and the king sent for him. (‭1 Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭28-31‬ NLT)

David’s own brother didn’t want him around because he knew David’s anointing (his power and authority given to David by God) and didn’t want him to, yet again, steal his thunder – remember, David was crowned king after all his brothers were rejected. Hmmmm, how many times in our lives do some of those who are around us, our brothers and sisters in Christ, try to quiet us because they are intimidated by our anointing?

Let me just say this – if people are (1) trying to take you out, (2) talking about you behind your back or (3) doing what they can to make you seem smaller than you are – you are on the right track! The enemy (that would be the Devil, not our brothers and sisters in Christ) only wages war on people that threaten his efforts.

You want to know how best to “slay that giant?” Do everything in LOVE. No matter what others do to you, they are God’s children and deserve to be treated as such. Showing that kind of grace to those who don’t treat you well will bless you greatly. Take the story of Joseph in Genesis 37-50. The grace he showed his brothers saved their lives and brought prosperity on the next generations.

I’ll leave you with this scripture:

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. (‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭1-3‬ NLT)

Be blessed everyone.

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Healing – The Next Step

Healing – an essential part of life. So often, when we seek healing, it is for the physical…for sickness in our bodies in some form. Emotional healing is just as essential. Just like the physical, without it, we could die.

Unforgiveness is a poison no one needs to hold onto. Please see more on this in my post Forgive 4 U. We must not let people/situations hurt us so much that we cannot move on – that is the work of the enemy!

Healing needs to come – which begins with forgiveness. Unfortunately, there is more to it than that. After forgiveness, there still might be some pain. The emotions & the changes that occurred due to the incident(s) can be hard to swallow. Don’t give up! Don’t let the enemy steal your joy!

1 Peter 2:24 says: He Himself (Christ) bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live righteousness; by his wounds we have been healed.” (NIV). Give all these things over to God & lay them at the Cross. Jesus already paid it all so that we might live in victory. Let God fight this battle for us.

I pray that in this new year, the things that we have held onto for years will fall away & we might be able to enjoy life the way God intended it to be.

Be blessed everyone!

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