Tag: peace

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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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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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Overcomer

This past Tuesday, January 27, 2015, marked 70 years since Auschwitz was liberated.  What happened there are unimaginable evils and proves that the human race has great power which they can use to inflict the most grotesque treatment on each other.  The survivors of this horrific event in our history always amaze me – how they have overcame and kept on going.

I was watching one of the many special reports that were on TV this week and they had one very interesting man – Michael Greenfield.  He is so inspiring in how he lives his life after Auschwitz.  This is a man who has dressed every President of the United States since Eisenhower.  His demeanor is so full of joy I am sure if you met him you would not be able to tell that he is a survivor of one of the worst genocide the modern world has seen.  There was one thing that Mr. Greenfield said that struck me – the last thing his father said to him as they parted ways when leaving the train cars was “If we don’t survive this (meaning his parents, aunts, uncles, etc), survive and live in honor of us.”  So he did…

What would have happened if Mr. Greenfield decided to just wallow in his horror and not move on?  Would he have achieved all that he did?  No, he wouldn’t.  In fact, Mr. Greenfield used this tragedy to propel him into the rest of his life. 

We all have had horrible things happen to us; it may not be at the level of Auschwitz, but horrible nonetheless.  How many times do we get stuck in wallowing and not overcoming?  Probably too many.  It is much easier to just allow things happen and react to it.  But that is not how we are to handle this life.

Bad things are going to happen – that is what occurs when sin enters the world.  But there is way more good than there is evil.  Think about this: Auschwitz is no longer an active concentration camp, but a remembrance of how good wins out over evil every time.  If you go to Poland, you can stand in the middle of the camp and witness that fact first hand.  That is on my bucket list for sure, by the way.

When we face evil in our own life, remember that good will always win.  Romans 8:28 says: “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.”  Take courage in that promise and just keep on going.  Believe me, the momentary pain will be nothing compared to what happens after you overcome.

I am going to leave you with this scripture.  Be blessed, everyone!

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)

Overcomer

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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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Playa Sucia, Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico

I had the privilege in 2012 to visit the beautiful island of Puerto Rico with my friend Michelle. It was an eye opening trip – life was so different there and I loved experiencing something new.

One thing about the island I loved was how beautiful the countryside is. I had the ability to see most of it because we flew into San Juan and had to drive over a lot of the island to make it to where we were going – Cabo Rojo. The tropical foliage, hills, and ocean view were all breathtaking – even from the backseat of a car.

One day, as we explored the island with Michelle’s family, we set out to see a beach named Playa Sucia. The exact translation is Dirty Beach, but there is nothing dirty about it. (See pictures below)

In order to get there, we had to drive off the beaten path…way off. There was a small road that later turned into a dirt road and, after a mile or so, I began to think we were lost. Finally, we arrived to our destination.

There was the white sand beach and the clear blue waters. It was so beautiful…life changing beautiful! As I stood there, the wind whipping around me. The smell of the sea and the sound of the waves. For a moment, it was just me and God’s creation. Nothing else existed in this world.

How many times does God take us through such a long journey down unknown, unkept roads that we wonder if, somewhere on the journey, we got lost. We start to doubt and wonder, but if we only keep going forward, the beauty that lies in store for us. So much beauty that it is life changing.

When we start heading down that path, remember Moses in the wilderness, Abraham and his many descendants, and David, the shepherd boy king. They all had points in their journey that led them down crazy paths that ultimately led to their destiny.

Never stop going forward.

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ NLT)

Be blessed, everyone!!

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Broken

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. (‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬ NLT)

As a counselor, I saw a lot of broken people. One thing I witnessed was, in the times when my clients were the most broken – God would show up in a mighty way. It was beautiful and always moved me. That is the God we serve – God is Love (1 John 4:8).

If you feel like you are broken right now – know that there is a God who loves you & is there for you. He has already carried the burdens to the Cross so He is waiting for you to hand it over to Him (1 Peter 5:7). All you need to do is fully surrender it into His Hands!

Be blessed everyone. May His peace rule your life.

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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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No Greater Love

The week between Christmas & New Years Day is always time of reflection for me. I try to evaluate my year, what was good and wasn’t so good….go over the things that need to remain and the things that need to go.

One thing that I know I need to give up is strife…especially between me and the people in my life. I need to abandon living in chaos, turmoil, and anger. Let people be people, but still love them inconditionally. Not allowing them to disrupt my life with issues, but still be there for them. Learning to die to myself.

Ponder this scripture:

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 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. (‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭9-14‬ NLT)

Die to oneself – get rid of pride, self-pity so you can love people fully. Take care of yourself, but don’t allow that to turn into selfishness. When someone does something that hurts you, forgive them. When someone tries to take you down, love them. When people are self-centered, pray for them. Let God develop that kind of heart in you – let His love for us teach us to be like His Son.

Be blessed.

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