Tag: prayer

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Harmony in a time of Disruption

Peace.

It’s a doozy of a word, isn’t it? It’s something we all strive for. Wars are fought for peace. Families are destroyed for the sake of peace.

Peace is a word that is heavy, often misunderstood. Chaos is the norm in this world; turmoil the constant companion. Peace seems other worldly. How can it be obtained? How can it grow and thrive in such a barren land?

This world has seen some crazy things over the past year. We’ve watched the world shut down, violence erupt and people turning on each other for the sake of being “right”. We’ve all but thought peace was a thing for our children to wonder about.

But…Jesus said ‘“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”’

John 16:33 ESV.

It’s so easy to forget that, as people of faith, we have peace with us always in the person of the Holy Spirit. It’s so easy to get caught up in the trials of this world.

God has already given us this promise. He has already conquered the chaos and the strife. He has already won the war. Our issue is that we don’t allow God into our fights.

Human beings are so self centered. It’s all about us and how we see the world. We fail to allow God into our world so He can shine the light on a dark situation.

This time we are all living in – this virus, this unrest – are all opportunities to exercise our faith. Will we trust God when it gets scary? Can we lay our impossible situation at His feet and walk away? Will we allow God to fight our battles? Will we hand over our will for His?

These are the questions we are all facing right now. This life isn’t easy. We are going to fail at this faith walk at times. But we serve a gracious God who will run to us when we call out no matter how bad we screwed up. He is a good, good Father.

So lean into God when this life becomes overwhelming. Read the Word of God. Pray. Worship. Find yourself in the presence of the King of Kings. Because God will always be the answer to this world’s chaos.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

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Change must come

There are moments in life when you know we cannot go back to the way we were. We are in such a season right now. Y’all – America is hurting. Most notably, those Americans that are people of color are hurting.

I’m not a person of color. I may not 100% understand the pain folks are going through, but I can acknowledge that there is a huge group of people who are hurting. And that makes me hurt.

But what can I do? That’s what my prayer is right now. God, what can I do? How can I make a difference?

I’m still learning this. I’m still working through what I can do. But here are some things I have decided to do:

1. Acknowledge the pain – it’s there and it matters.

2. Stop listening to respond & start listening to understand.

3. Understand that people of color have had too many experiences where they have been told they are less than…and that needs to change.

4. Love people & give them grace. You don’t have to agree with everything they say to love them. Love can move mountains.

5. Pray. Pray that God moves the hearts of those who hate & change that hate into love. Pray that those who hurt are healed. Pray that we see unity.

6. Make a commitment to learn about the experience of someone who doesn’t look like you. Seeing the world through someone else’s eyes will help each of us grow.

7. Understand & acknowledge that we were (and are) one race. Yes, there are differences. Yes, we don’t look alike. But we are all made in the image of God. That makes each of us special & important.

I’m still learning y’all. But I’m committed to continue to learn. Because things have to change.

“For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.”

1 Corinthians 12:14-26 ESV

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Laying the load down

Alone.  By yourself.  The only one.

Have you ever felt yourself in a situation where it seemed like the world is on your shoulders and there is no one there to help you carry the load?  Yes?  I know, me too.

Too many times, I’ve found myself in a place where I’ve felt like I’m all alone carrying the entire load of problems, failures, and possible outcomes all on my shoulders.  There is no one else there to help me.  If I fail, then that is it.  The world will come crashing down and it’s all my fault.

However dramatic that may sound on paper – I’ll admit, I’ve caught myself feeling this way.  I’m confident that you have too.  That feeling like it’s all up to me to handle is scary.  There is no other person who can get this done, help with this project or make this right.  If it fails, it’s all my fault.  And yet, the weight is too much for me to bear alone.

Friend, let me tell you – that whole conversation about how it is up to us to handle on our own is a lie from the pit of Hell.  You, dear friend, are never alone.  You do not have to carry everything all by yourself.

It is extremely important you understand that Our Father, the one who created the Heavens & the Earth, will help you carry your load.  You were never meant to do this life by yourself.  We are designed to be in relationship 1) with God and 2) with each other.

So next time you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders – close your eyes, take a deep breathe and lean into the presence of God.  Call on the Lord’s name and He will come to you (Isaiah 58: 9).  He is faithful to the end (Deuteronomy 7:9; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:3).

It is so easy to get caught up in life, in our emotions and the right now.  But do what Paul commands up so to in Philippians 4:8 – think on things that are true, that are holy, that are right and that are pure.  Many times, our emotions cause us to do the exact opposite.

The best way to combat the lies of the enemy is with the truth of God.  The next time you are going through a season where you feel as though you are carrying the world on your shoulders, remember these scriptures – even recite them to yourself out loud so you hear them:

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.””

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.””

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭31:6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:38-39‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Friend – remember this – you are never alone.  Ever. Put your load down and lean into God.

 

 

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Seeing Victory

Living on this earth can be so hard. It is in those hard times we either fall or rise above. The situations of life are usually out of our hands, but how we react to them is fully in our control.

My Aunt Carol drew the short straw. She was born to a mother who didn’t want her so her grandparents adopted her. Yes, she is biologically my cousin however, she is legally my aunt. Her parents loved her deeply and she lived a life knowing she was loved.

In grade school – Carol not only was diagnosed with a severe case of juvenile diabetes but also it was discovered her mind wasn’t going to grow passed a 3rd or 4th grader. She would never be able to be hired for even the simplest jobs because her severe diabetes and spent her life on government aid. When she finally got her own home, it was the greatest thing to ever happen to her.

Carol made some mistakes in trusting the wrong people in her youth. As she grew & matured, she started to understand some people are not for her. Thankfully, there were some folks who took her under their wing. It was through those folks when she really found Jesus.

When she was diagnosed with diabetes, the doctors told my grandparents that she wouldn’t live passed 30 years old. It would have probably been true if she didn’t find God. It was her faith in God that sustained her and kept her even when her body started to fail her.

When I would talk to her, she would tell me that God still had a plan for her and that is why he kept her here. Her faith helped her grow and thrive for years. Even when she could no longer walk or leave home, she had a positive outlook on life because she understood that life was a gift.

Carol stepped into Heaven this past Friday (October 25, 2019) just a few months from her 50th birthday, proving the doctors wrong. It’s sad she no longer is here, but I know that her faith in Jesus led her to Heaven.

Her body and mind are healed and whole…something she didn’t have on Earth. What a joyful thought to know she is finally able to know what it is like to have a body that works and a mind that understands. Even though I’m going to miss her, I am so happy she finally is whole.

Living life for Jesus means we will live again. Living for Jesus means that Heaven is our home. All the pain of this world will fall away as we step into God’s presence.

If my Aunt’s life taught me anything…it is that Jesus is a sustainer and a redeemer. Carol would tell you that Jesus will help you through anything. If you don’t know Jesus, consider changing that. Consider accepting Him as your Lord & savior. Doing that will not guarantee that this life will be easy, but it will guarantee that you can overcome even the hardest obstacle.

Carol won. She was victorious. Her life was not in vain and she got her reward. Now, on the other side of Heaven, she is more alive right now than she ever was here on earth. What a promise God has for us who call him Savior, Redeemer and Friend.

“So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. For we live by believing and not by seeing. Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.”

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 NLT

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Peace of Life

To live a life of peace is to live a life of forgiveness. Letting go of what others have done to you or those you love and moving on with your life. Can you imagine what this world would be like if folks would live a life of forgiving others and moving on? No war, no hate, no confusion. But we live in a sinful, fallen world filled with pain and unforgiveness.

If forgiving people and moving on was easy, more people would do it. If it were easy to not hold a grudge and love people inspite of what they did to you, more people would be doing it. But it isn’t easy. In fact I’d say it is very difficult to let go of the things that deeply wound us.

Dare I say that it takes the help of the Holy Spirit to fully forgive and let go. I don’t think I can do that by myself in my own understanding. It is almost impossible. But with God, nothing is impossible.

Imagine the forgiveness Paul needed from his fellow believers. When he was Saul, he killed many Christians believing it was the right thing to do. When Jesus appeared and opened his eyes to his offense, Saul became Paul thus becoming a person who he once would have killed.

The gift of forgiveness was something Paul knew all too well. He needed it in order to fulfill his God-given calling. Because believers did offer it to him, his calling was fulfilled and they continued to grow in Christ.

Understanding that, he was able to write about forgiveness in some of his letters.

“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”

Colossians 3:13 NLT

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT

I challenge you, dear reader, to step out of the easy and try forgiving those that hurt you. Give up your ability to hold a grudge and let go of that offense. Lean on the Holy Spirit to help you.

Free yourself and let it go. That burden is not something you were ever meant to bear. Imagine what could be ahead of you if you leave that offense behind you? Only great things!

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Have No Fear

Fear. How many times have you dealt with that? Probably too many times…

Life is full of things to be afraid of – tragedies, loss, betrayal and pain. It seems we face bad things all too often in this place we are just passing through, don’t we? It’s hard and sometimes unbearable.

If we don’t keep our eyes on Jesus, this life will eat us alive. We will be so overwhelmed, we wouldn’t know what to do. But thankfully, we know the one who spoke this world into existence!

1 Peter 5:7 says “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” Think about that for a moment – what would it look like if you casted ALL your cares on God? How much better would your life be without the worry, anxiety or depression? Who would you become if you stopped being afraid?

1 John 4:18 says that if we fear, we have not fully experienced God’s love because we fear God’s wrath more than understanding His love for us (this scripture is paraphrased into my own words and in its pure form at the end of the blog). Not fully understanding God’s love for us can really hinder our lives.

Imagine if you gave someone a gift that you knew would alter their life forever and they didn’t fully believe you had good motives in giving them that gift so they put it aside, waiting to see if it all was phony? How would you feel?

That is how God feels when we (as believers) follow Him, but don’t fully trust that He has our best interest at the root of it all.

So I encourage you – the one who struggles with fear, depression, anxiety and/or mistrust in God – lean into Jesus’ love and let it wash over you like a wave. Give Him your fears, doubts and worries. Let God fight your battles and go to sleep!

Rest, my dear friends- God has already won the victory and there is nothing He can not help us with. Surrender and let Him lead.

“And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.”

1 John 4:17-18 NLT

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It’s time to move (on)

Have you ever done something stupid? Or hurt someone real bad? Or did something even worse…

We have all been there in some way. Each of us know what it’s like to feel guilt and shame. It’s part of this life. But this is also where we sometimes get caught up.

We even repent, ask God to forgive, make amends with others – and think we have fully moved on, but in the back of your mind, that thing is still there. It pops up in those late night thoughts and those lonely moments – making you feel hopeless.

Listen to me, friend, if it’s forgiven, move on. Stop beating yourself up. It’s time to forgive yourself and lay that guilt down.

If you haven’t repented or asked someone to forgive you, do it and don’t let it bother you any more. This life is far too fragile to allow yourself to be overridden with worry, regret, and shame.

Apologize to God and others (if needed) and keep going. Acknowledge that you cannot go back and change what happened in your past, but you can make sure it doesn’t happen in your future.

Remember that in Christ, you are a new creation. Tomorrow is a new day with new adventures. Hold your head up, shoulders back and show the Enemy he didn’t win!

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Prayer: Lord, you know that thing or things that hold me up & I cannot allow myself to forgive myself – help me let it go. If I have never asked you for repentance, please forgive me and help me do better in the future. Thank you for your Son Jesus and His sacrifice so I may ask for forgiveness and move on. You are so good! Amen.

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Persistence

Did you grow up with a weird last name?  I did – and I still have it.  Gaigalas…it’s one of those last names that make people nervous to say.  Ha!  It’s Lithuanian – which I am 1/4th.  Lithuania is a small Eastern European country by Latvia and Poland near the Baltic Sea.  With its beautiful countryside and amazing architecture – it is also a country known for its resilience.

One of the greatest stories of resilience is the Hill of Crosses in the town of Šiauliai.  It began in the mid-1800’s when the Lithuanian people rose up against the Russian Czar’s regime and, as a result, many of their families remains were not able to be buried.  So, instead of a traditional burial, they placed crosses to honor them.  It was a show of defiance against oppression.  Thus began the hill of crosses.  It was a place where the Lithuanian people could pray, reflect, and find hope.

In the 1940s – the country, which had been independent for some years – were overtaken by the Soviet Union.  In a communist regime – any form of religion is forbidden therefore, the Hill of Crosses was a prohibited site.  As a stubborn and persevering people, they were not going to allow the KGB to stop their efforts of building the Hill of Crosses.  Through the course of the 30+ year oppression – there were Soviet soldiers stationed around the hill, the new crosses and figures removed, and the Soviet soldiers bulldozed the hill a few times.  None of this deterred the Lithuanian people from continuing to build this hill.  In 1991 – Lithuania became a free nation – no longer under communistic rule.  At that time, the Hill of Crosses was no longer under threat of destruction and it started to grow (and overflow!).  They estimate that the number of crosses, Christian figurines and other religious relics on the hill is 200,000!

I look at this story and think about how we, as the Body of Christ, must be as resilient as Lithuanians were when we get knocked down or our dreams get “bulldozed”.  The world is becoming a place that is hostile to what Christianity teaches.  I just read that the government of China tore down a Christian Mega Church this week.  ISIS is killing Christians.  Even in America, we are finding it harder to express ourselves without opposition.  The world is becoming a hostile place to worship Jesus freely.

If we want overflow, we must persevere even in this hostile climate.  The Enemy will do everything he can to take us down, make us believe we cannot do something, or that we are not worthy of something.  If we can continue to be persistent and build our own hill of crosses – how great a tribute would that be to Jesus?  Sharing Him with others, speaking truth in love when it is no longer “politically correct”, or even worshiping freely for our international brothers and sisters – how much would that shake the world around us?  How much do you want the overflow?  Are you willing to continue to fight when you are under siege?  God works everything out for our good, y’all.  Keep pushing and don’t let the enemy keep you down.  Our victory is just around the corner!

Romans 8:28 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.

Galatians 6:9 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.

 

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Picture courtesy of this article

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Identity Crisis

I was sitting in church worshiping and a thought hit me…why do we, as born-again Christians, have such a hard time laying things down and living a life full of joy when we serve such a faithful and present God?  I have seen so many people stay in their struggle to overcome things in the past for years and years – going to the alter crying, being prophesied over, reading the Bible, and all the other things that seem the right thing to do when we are walking with God.  And yet, they still have this baggage tagging along.

Could it be that when we have struggled so long with something that it becomes a part of us?  And when it becomes a part of us, we are afraid that, if we allow God to heal that part of us we no longer are who we have become to know as ourselves?  Therefore, we find so much of our identity in the struggle – healing, even if subconsciously, is just too scary to accept?

If this is correct – then laying this issue fully down and giving it ALL over to God is a completely scary thing full of doubt and anxiety.  As we face the fact that healing will bring so much change that we decide not to fully give God the authority to do what He needs to do.  And then we remain sitting in our mess because that is easier than the change of healing – even though God is more than willing to give us what we need if we fully trust him.

Our identity was never for us to be hurt, broken or misused.  We never were meant to remain sick, hurt, abused, or stuck.  That is not who God is.  We have seen, over and over, how God has redeemed those in the Old and New Testament – Jacob, Judah, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, David, Bathsheba, Solomon, Peter, Paul – to name only a few who have seen the redemptive work of the Lord in their lives when they surrender all to Him.

So – what is it for you?  What issue do you face that you need to lay down?  Trauma, chronic sickness, your abusive past, shame from what you did in your past, drugs, alcohol, relationships that are not good for you…what is it that you are afraid to lay down?  What struggle has become your identity?

Whatever it is, remember these things:

  • We are a new creature in Christ Jesus
    • So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:16-17
  • We are called out of darkness and into light
    • But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9
  • Christ lives inside of us
    • My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
  • We are friends of Jesus
    • 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. John 15:15
  • We are God’s masterpiece
    • For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10
  • We belong to God
    • But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
      O Israel, the one who formed you says,
      “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
      I have called you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1
  • God’s thoughts about us are precious
    • How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
      They cannot be numbered!
      I can’t even count them;
      they outnumber the grains of sand! Psalm 139:17-18
  • We were knit together in our mother’s wombs
    • You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
      and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
      Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
      Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
      You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
      as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
      You saw me before I was born.
      Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
      Every moment was laid out
      before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:13-16

It’s time to start seeing our identity in Christ and not in the things that of this world.  No matter what someone has said to you or how someone made you feel, how long you have been sick or what secret shame you hide – God loves you and wants to make you whole.

Go to Him and give over those things that you are holding onto.  Let Him make you who He sees you to be!!

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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.