Pathway to freedom

IT IS possible to have a relationship with Jesus, be destined for Heaven and still live in bondage-Something that steals your peace and joy and keeps you from living free with Jesus

I walked through a season of my life when I couldn’t understand if God came to set me free than why was I still living in bondage to guilt, shame and overwhelming anxiety?

Bondage is something that steals your peace and joy and keeps you from living free with Jesus.

I began to think maybe … God only granted Freedom to a certain type of person.

Like if you were a pastor….. Or an Important leader……or someone who knew a lot about the bible or someone who “never really did anything wrong in their past” …..Yeah that wasn’t me.

I even thought maybe I had this whole Jesus thing wrong?

The truth is when we give our lives to Jesus we are given the gift of freedom.

let me ask you…..

What exactly does freedom look like to you?

And what does it mean to live free in Jesus?

And once Jesus grants us freedom how do we stay free?

God brought me to this verse…..

Galatians 5:1 says…So Christ had truly set you free. Now make sure that you stay free and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.

”You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom.“
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Did you catch that?

You are called to Freedom!!

God knew we would struggle with staying free from the distractions in this world.

For God? Our Freedom costs Him his son…….whether we choose to walk hand and hand on this earth with Jesus or not He still died for our freedom.

God’s purpose was to send Jesus to earth to be that sacrifice so that we could not only be free from eternal death but to LIVE in freedom with Him here on earth. He wants a relationship with us, to love us and serve out His purpose in us.

He tells us in Ephesians 1 …that this brings Him great pleasure.

The world tells us that Freedom is doing anything we want without any restraints or consequences but Gods word tells us differently ….that freedom, real freedom is found in Jesus.

“The heart of Freedom in the WORLD is about making our OWN way, living life on our OWN terms and without constraints.” Charles Stanley

But the bible says……..

2 Corinthians 3:17 …..For the LORD is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Freedom.

I got tired of making “my way” work …. I had to lay down the things that keep me from living free …. doubt, fear, shame from my past, people please, false identity of who I was in Jesus…..

Let’s stop making our own way …. cause with Jesus He is the way. The way to real Freedom….. just let go!

You were never meant to carry that….

Freedom isn’t being in complete control of ourselves or living perfect.

Freedom isn’t having it all together or great success in your job or a great marriage, Perfect kids or even a 4. 0 on your GPA.

Sure these things are good and make us happy when we accomplish them and even God wants us to strive to be our best.

But there is a kind of freedom that we can only experience through Jesus…

John 8:32 and “you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

It is knowing Truth that sets us free!

Truth is peace
Truth is joy
Truth is hope
Truth is love

If we were sitting together here in person you might say…..

“but Mary Beth you have no idea what has been done to me?

Or You might say you have no idea what I have done in my past?”

……or maybe you are currently living in “hell on earth”

Well you know what? You are right …..I don’t know…

But I know someone who does and He still loves you anyways….

But I also know you were never meant to carry something that keeps you from knowing this truth and being free in Jesus no matter your circumstances!

….Through Jesus YOU can still live in freedom!

Recognize:
First, Its about letting go….Sometimes we don’t get a choice in our circumstances but we do have choice of what we hold on to.

Release:
Holding onto things that weigh us down while trying to fulfill Gods purpose He has for us …..it doesn’t work. Lay it down at His feet and rest in Him let Him teach you! Matt 11:28-30

Before I could live in freedom ….God needed me to lay down.. guilt and shame from my past…..doubt of Him…..
false identity of who I was in Christ, people pleasing, fear……. Yeah that’s a lot……but in a nut shell they were all linked together and it started by …believing a lie.

What are you holding onto my friend?

Is it your past?…..An on going sin? …….A deep hurt? Abuse? Fear? You’re life’s circumstances? ….What is keeping you from being all that God created you to be and live free?

Maybe you have laid it down but have trouble picking back up?

Restore:
GOD knows. Don’t you think if He has collected all our tears in a bottle. He knows what’s keeping you from being free.

Psalms 56:8 “You keep track of all my sorrows You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.”

Psalms 139:17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered.

Matt 11:28-30 Jesus said himself…” come to me, all who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

God loves to make all things new!!!

He promises to gently walk beside us making our burden lighter, teaching us and allowing us to rest in Him!

Stop hanging on and believing the lie… let Jesus free you …. ❤️

You are not done yet…

When my children left home and my house grew silent I thought I was done.

No more purpose.

For the first time in my life I had lost, me!

I thought this was a season of freedom but somehow I found myself trapped searching for my own identity.

Who was I now? And did I really ever know who I was?

God was bringing me into a new season and it was unfamiliar and honestly scary at first.

He was showing me, my real identity!!
He was giving me a new heart for my new purpose.

I was never done, just changing…

”Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.“
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The truth is I was just beginning to enjoy the fruits ❤️

My friend you are not done yet either!
Wherever you are in life, wether it be hard, fun, sad, full, empty….. there is a season to walk through to get to the fruit!!

And oh how sweet it is!!!

“We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders. so the next generation might know them— even the children not yet born— and they in turn will teach their own children.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭78‬:‭4‬, ‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Keep your eyes on Jesus and your hands open

Those of you who follow me know hearts are very dear to me.

God brought me through a dark season in my life by showing me hearts and He still shows me hearts.

Listed below is a picture I took of dead trees in my back yard. To some they might just look like dormant trees but to me they bring life.

What do you see? I see hearts. To the left is a heart that is broken, half of it is missing. Branches broken off. To the right is a full heart with life running through it. The leaves have fallen leaving me to see the bare branches that hold those leaves. The branches represent new life. It is a new heart.

My season was once dark and broken as I lived my life through brokenness, just like the tree on the left.

God has used every piece of my brokenness to put me back together. He has given me a new heart. A heart that is whole like the tree on the right.

If you are walking a season of darkness let me encourage you to keep your eyes on Jesus and your hands open. In order for God to heal those broken places you much keep your eyes on Him. He is the light that exposes the darkness. He holds the lamp to our feet showing us where to walk.

When your hands are open, it allows you to release your grip on the brokenness. It allows you to hand over the hurt, the shame, the guilt, the heaviness and whatever keeps you living in darkness. God cannot take what you choose to hold tightly to. Let go!

And when your eyes are on Him and your hands are open before God he will place a new heart in your hands.

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭36‬:‭26‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Whose hand are you holding?

When I was a little girl, I loved to ride the waves at the beach with my grandfather.

I remember jumping as high as I could to beat the sting of the salt water in my eyes and up my nose, but the waves always grew taller than my body. Somehow, I rarely beat those waves, only to repeat this over and over. Why was this fun?! I am not sure except for the great memories it left.

When I would come up for air, choking and eyes burning from the salt water, I would look fiercely for my grandfather’s hand. Somehow there was comfort in always knowing it would be there. It was familiar. I was security. It would encourage me to get up and do it again. And yes, somehow it was fun!

As an adult, and only the memories left standing, I sometimes feel like I am standing on that shore again but this time I do not feel that hand reach out for me. I feel as if I might drown this time.

As I cry out to God, He reminds me that life will not always feel safe and secure. You might even feel like you are drowning but when you go under my hand will always be with you.

I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10b

For I hold you by your right hand-I the Lord your God. And I say to you, “Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.” Isaiah 41:13

These verses are promises from God.

Have you ever felt like you were drowning in life?

If you answered yes, you are not the only one. Me too. And so did Peter and the disciples…….

The disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. Mathew 14:24…….vs. 27 but Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

Peter cried out to Jesus in verse 30. “Save me Lord.”

And Jesus reaches out to grab him……Immediately! Verse 31.

It is the cry that calls for the hand……Whose hand are you reaching for?

God left us His promises for this reason, so that we will have His hand to hold onto.

When we are standing on that shore, looking out into that sea of life, remember His promises.

His hand is secure. His hand is close. His hand will encourage you to get up and do it all over again!

It’s ok if our children go to a different church.

As Christian parents, it is our vision to raise our children in church, they accept Christ, join a small group and maybe lead that small group one day. We want them to grow to be strong in their faith.

And our vision is extra big if they grown up to marry a pastor, become a pastor or even lead worship right?

At least, as a parent, we are doing something right. Right?! We want our parenting skills to look nice and neat, tucked in a pretty white box.

But what if those are our visions or plans and not God’s? There is nothing wrong with having those visions and dreams for our children. But honestly, how many times do our dreams match up to God’s plan? That doesn’t always happen as often as we like. God tells us in Proverbs 19:21 you can make many plans, but the Lords purpose will prevail.

Raising your children in church is always a good thing in my opinion but raising them in Jesus can carry them much farther. Sometimes even geographically farther away.

It’s ok if our children go to a different church. Staying connected to Jesus is the ultimate vision for our children. That’s when you know their visions match up to God’s purpose He has for them.

When our children became high school age they starting making decision that left us out. Imagine that. Like, choosing their college and who they would date or going to another church. I remember when my youngest daughter decided it was time for her to visit another church. She presented her reasoning to us and quite honestly we didn’t have an argument. The youth group was strong and seem to have a close bond so we released her to make that decision.

But what if she had stayed close to our vision for her? Right next to mom and dad in the same church where we had raised her. It is where her feet had been grounded and where she was baptized. It’s where we thought she was comfortable and knew everyone.

Not to long after attending we noticed how her commitment to the Lord strengthened and she became more involved. We watched her grow in her faith. Later after attending college, she joined another church where she learned what living free in Jesus looked like. We watched her grow even more and eventually became an amazing special needs teacher. There have been many times she has spoken truth to me and over me at a much greater level than I could have to her.

Letting her go was not easy but trusting God in the process grew our faith as well.

Where does Jesus stand in the moments of shame?

Then Jesus stood did up again and said to the woman, “where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” John 8:10

Do you ever ask yourself how did I get here? You know the moments when you feel like “I screwed up again” and you ask God “how did I arrive here, yet again?”

In this passage, Jesus is addressing an adulterous woman. But I’m not talking about an affair. Some days I would just like to insert whatever failure I endured that day into the scripture. Like, the words of condemnation I might have spoken over my spouse or the dismissing of a friend’s pain, or how about sulking in my feelings of unnecessary sorrow.

Let’s just face it some days, I just feel like a complete failure at everything. But I’m certain I don’t stand alone.

I imagine myself standing in the presence of Jesus in my shame of failure. What would he say to me?Perhaps, he would say “Where are your accusers?” Because of his radical love for me and you, I imagine it would go something like this….

First off, in this story of the adulteress woman, I imagine her standing naked in shame. She had been drug out from her act of adultery and placed before Jesus as an example. “Look what this woman has done, what will you do about this Jesus? Huh?” -my emphasis. Can you only imagine how afraid she was to come before religious leaders and Jesus?

But Jesus was being trapped by the religious leaders. So He states his case, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” We are familiar with the story by this verse alone. This verse is used in so many contexts but mostly in the case of “stop judging me.”

But when I insert my shame or sin whichever comes first, here is what I see, we would be standing alone in the dirt. Most likely, as I stand in my nakedness (not physically but spiritually because this is where shame leads to) Jesus would take off his cloak or robe and place it around me. He would stand next to me. He wouldn’t want me standing alone naked in my shame. He would stand with me. He would risk breaking a Jewish law just to comfort me. In those moments, I want to feel the presence of God so much so I can feel the warmth of his body- a comforting feeling of safety.

“Like a shepherd, he tends his flock; he gathers up the lambs with his arm; he carries them close to his heart; he leads the ewes along.”Isaiah 40:11 NET

This isn’t the first time Jesus wants to cover us in our shame. Go back to the first time we mess up in the garden and you will find where He also covers us for the first time. There Adam and Eve standing naked in shame…

“And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.” Genesis 3:21

Never be afraid of standing before Jesus. He has proven to many times throughout His word how many times He simply just wants to wrap His robe or yet his arms around us leaving us in His peace not shame. He doesn’t dismiss the sin. But it’s in the presence of Jesus where our sin dissipates and we become free of sin. Only through Jesus is where real forgiveness takes place.

The next time you feel shame or sin stand naked before Jesus and let Him cover you.

“And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”Philippians 4:7 NET

When God redeemed a strip club into a house of Refuge….

Anything devoted in this way has been set apart as holy, and it belongs to the Lord. Leviticus 27:28b

I can remember driving down a particular highway in my hometown passing a sign that read “strip club, dancers wanted.” Most people would avoid this building at all cost but for some it was a place of income, a temporary survival and a place deadly habits stayed alive.

My pastor had driven up and down this Highway many times praying for a place of worship. After five years of praying and laying hands on this building it is now our church home.

And when I stepped inside the building for the first time my assumption were confirmed. It reeked of stale alcohol and cigarettes. Stories of darkness seeped from the walls. Empty needles laying on the ground, articles of clothing designed for a specific job, broken glass and a runway linked to poles that seemed to support the building. Wall to wall mirrors in the dressing room left me questioning, had any of these women ever been told they were beautiful, deeply loved and were designed for a different purpose? My questions were answered as my eyes caught a sign posted on the wall. It confirmed they had one job to do and it cost them to do it.

As you entered upstairs, it had the feels of walking through a haunted house. The dark and creeping stairway left you wondering what might jump out at you as you turned the corner. The forces of heaviness in the room let us know evil spirits were being awakened from our presence. I could hear the passion in my pastors voice for evil to flee in the name of Jesus.

“Please pay the manager ten dollars before entering the stage.”

Refuge church stands in the place of what once tore lives apart but is now a hospital for the broken.

A place where people feel loved, accepted and healed from pain and suffering. A light. People finding there purpose for the first time.

A place of Refuge. “The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.”Psalms 9:9 NLT

A story of redemption.

God was making this place, a former strip club, holy, set apart for His glory.

There is no amount of value to place on the lives that can be redeemed in this life-giving building. Lives are being healed, marriages restored, hope for the weary found and salvation for those who were lost.

Restoring this property to holiness and giving it back to our Lord has allowed us to feed thousands of hungry people and the best is yet to come.

We will possibly never know until we reach heaven the amount of seeds planted here in this house.

Our building is no longer a strip club but a house of Refuge.

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”Genesis 50:20 NLT

Anything devoted in this way has been set apart as holy, and it belongs to the Lord. Leviticus 27:28b

Hey momma, it’s ok to step out of the way.

“The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭20:24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Motherhood isn’t for the faint at heart. Let’s face it, it is hard to sit back and watch your children walk through hard times without intervening.

When they were little and we were teaching them to walk we would walk alongside them and embrace their little bodies with our arms. Remember when we were in control? We could guide them ever so gently making sure they didn’t fall or bump their heads.

From the beginning they are fully dependent on us, needing us for everything.

But what happens when they start to become independent? No longer needing us for their every need.

I’m now watching my firstborn love and take care of her firstborn. Honestly, there are times I just want to do it for her. There are days my heart just hurts not because she’s doing it wrong but because frankly, it’s just hard. I want to take the hard and skip to the good part.

But life is hard!! Often the good comes from walking through the hard. Without the hard, we wouldn’t understand or appreciate the good.

And as a mother, stepping away is hard too!

It’s hard to watch your children struggle. So many times over the years I have just wanted to step in and save the day. I wanted to be the hero! But if I’m being honest, my children learned more when I simply stepped out of the way.

Each time I stepped to “save the day” I was teaching them to be dependent on me. I’m not talking about wiping their chins after an ice cream or kissing the boo-boos from each fall or holding them when they are sad. I’m talking about their first heartbreak or jumping in the middle of an argument with their siblings or even when they get fired from a job.

When I released my children back to Jesus, and trust me this was daily not just once, I was letting the Holy Spirit teach them. They were learning “the hard” from the perfect parent, not the one who often made the same mistakes-that would be me.

Momma let the Holy Spirit release you from two things today….

1) He gave you your child or children to raise for such a time as this. You are not perfect but you are perfect for your child, He says so cause He knit them in your womb. “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭1:5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

2) It’s not our job as parents to know or fix everything. It’s ok if we don’t have all the answers, He does. “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As the falls become harder our job is to let our Heavenly Father embrace them with His arms. Our job is to love them through it ❤️

Am I making the right decision? Let the Spirit be your guide.

Do you ever worry about whether you are making the right decisions?

The more I learn about Jesus I think His biggest concerns are heart decisions- ones that make the biggest impact for Heaven.

“For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.” Galatians 5:6 NLT

Some decisions we struggle to make never really matter until it comes to making a difference for heaven.

Paul in a sense is asking …what does it matter if you decide to be circumcised or not if you aren’t using your faith to love. Paul was speaking to the Jewish people in this passage. They thought if they were circumcised they would find favor with God. But Paul was telling them not so, in fact, if you do think this way you are “cut off from Christ.” Vs. 4

We cannot mix grace and law. Once we put our faith in Jesus and live by the Spirit there is no benefit in being circumcised or uncircumcised (living under the law.) To live in freedom to make our own choices we must choose Grace.

Will your decision matter when it comes to your relationship with Jesus?

If we choose to live in the Spirit of God’s grace, love and faith it’s almost impossible to make the wrong decisions.

When we are indecisive, let Love be the judge.

Will it unite or divide?

Will it point towards Jesus or away?

Will it strengthen your faith or weaken it?

Does it shed light or darkness?

Will it honor our Father or dishonor our Father?

Ultimately, will your decision point to the love of Jesus to make a difference for Heaven?

“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” Romans 12:10 NLT

Our Lord is very clear about using love to drive ALL things.

He gives us a choice to make our own decisions for a very good reason. He wants us to choose Him over everything. It’s a privilege to have a choice to choose but it’s a command to cover it in love.

“Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.” 2 John 1:6 NLT

“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.”1 Corinthians 13:2 NLT

Pretty is as pretty does…

Recently, some friends and I were having a conversation about manners. We were discussing where do manners come from? Our parents? Grandparents? Teachers? Friends?

It seems the world has lost its manners ….
I always like to check my heart first. So, I asked myself, am I kind to others? It’s easy to be nice to people who are nice back 🤷‍♀️ right?

So what does it look like when others are not nice back? Or maybe they just rude?

We live in a world of victimization and defensiveness. It’s always someone else’s fault or we get offended when things don’t go our way and don’t agree. I get it, and I’ve been here too. I’ve been rude and stomped my feet when I didn’t get my way.

My grandmother used to love to tell the story -that I swore was on replay-of when I was a little girl and she wouldn’t buy me a pair of shoes. I laid on the floor, in the middle of the department store and screamed “you dummies until her and my aunt walked away and left me there. ” Yes, true story 🤦🏼‍♀️

So how do we change this…..

When someone comes at you rudely how do you respond?

First, try to understand them and extend grace…..after all it is given freely to us.

Most of the time it’s not personal.

Bad manners are usually ….

1) Past down from the previous generation. (I’ll blame my shoe fetish on my mom 😂)

2) Insecurities from a deep hurt.

Both of these are hard to change especially when they don’t recognize their behavior.

And most of the time it’s not about us.

We can never control someone’s actions but we can always control our response.

But often times our response can change the situation.

1) Choose to not be offended. Offensiveness is from the enemy. It cause division. He wants division more than ever so why not cause it, right?

2) Make a choice to love others no matter the circumstances …. Hurting people hurt people.
Accept the fact, that it’s not your fault that others have deep hurt. Sometimes we are simply in the line of fire when hurt is projected outwardly. Love is the living water that extinguishes the flames.

Love always wins because it comes directly from Jesus.

Choosing love just means you are choosing Jesus first it’s not an open door for you to be a doormat to bad behavior. And if you have wronged someone, simply own up to it and make it right. We all mess up! Let the Holy Spirit do His job while you choose to love. ❤️

“I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭17:23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It starts with us …. Make the choice! Pretty is as pretty does 😁

How do we trust when there is evil all around us?

“Just trust” can seem like such an easy answer in the midst of fear, as it is truth, yet it seems like such an easy answer to my strong fear. Somehow, I think the answer should match my fear.

Evil is blanketing us everywhere we turn these days. Our world can be a scary place.

So how do we trust? The answer is more like, who can we trust?

To come to Him is to trust Him….

I remember, as a child when I was afraid or hurt I always looked for that person who could comfort me the most. Who was that person for you? A parent? A grandparent? A teacher? And who do you run to now?

Somehow it looks different now than it did then….

Trust is not having all the answers, it is believing in the One who does.

I used to say to God, “God if you would just tell me what to do, I would do it!” ….As if I had a right to bargain with God.

Sounds comical to say but I believed if I had all the answers it would be easier to trust, but that’s not trust at all, that’s trying to take control.

Trust is hard when we are surrounded by so much fear and panic, but trust is our escape to let go and let God. It’s our safe place in the midst of the storm.

So what does trust look like?

Trust isn’t something that comes easy for me. Deep-seated wounds cause me to want to fix it myself and take control. But here are a few things God has taught me as He walked alongside me revealing each step.

1. Pray and be still before the Lord. Talk to the one who knows all. He wants to hear your fears and concerns. Comfort is one of His specialties and He loves to do it. “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness’.” For example, we don’t always know what to pray for, but “the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.” Romans 8:26 NLT

2. Wait. When you don’t know what to do wait until you hear from God. He is not a God who hides from us. He is working behind the scenes preparing away. It takes time and our clocks are different than His. “But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently. ”Romans 8:25 NLT

3.Trust even if you don’t know His plan. He goes before us to make the pathway clear. And if not, He will make a new path and guide you gently to the new one. “He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.” Psalms 40:2 NLT

I know my friend it isn’t always as easy as 1,2,3 but it’s a start to putting one foot in front of the other, so that God can show you great and mighty things along the way.

**How do we trust when there is fear all around us?**

Did you know….It’s not of your business what others think about you?

My wise mother used to say… “ birds of a feather flock together” and…

when I would say “ so and so is doing it” she would say “ if So and so jumped off a bridge would you?”

She always had a point but I didn’t understand this fully until I became an adult.

I have made decisions in the past that I’m not proud of because of my surroundings and the friends I chose. I’m not blaming anyone and I take full responsibility for each mistake because It was my insecurities that would leave me making decisions based on what others thought of me.

I will never forget when a dear friend said to me. “ It’s none of your business what others think about you.”

My reaction was a look of surprise I’m sure as I processed this statement.

Let me repeat it she said … “ It’s none of your business what others think about you”

Although it was a statement that left me looking puzzled, it somehow freed me from another’s opinion or hurt.

People-pleasing had taken root in my life for many years and I allowed so much of it in my life that I lost myself in the process.

One day, while driving down the road I heard the Lord speak clearing to me. “Stop trying to please everyone around you!”

I froze at the moment because in my mind I was “helping others.”

It was then I recognized all the things I surrounded myself with were keeping me stuck in a place of uncertainties like… anxiety, discontentment, worry, overthinking, and unfulfilled. We all want to be liked but shame tends to set in when we feel like we haven’t lived up to others’ standards.

The worst part? If I was busy pleasing so many people, how was I able to please my God? Ouch!

Paul says it best…

Galatians 1:10 Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If people-pleasing more my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.

I’m still a work in progress but… I like to call myself a recovering “People pleaser.”

What about you? Do you struggle with this too?

Stop and ask the Lord to show you where you struggle…

Remember we are called to love not to please others; don’t get them confused.

Listen to them.
Love them.
Honor them.

You can do these things without fixing them with …

A hug.
A listening ear.
A prayer.
An open heart.

Let it be ok with you that not everyone is going to like you. If you love Jesus first it is very likely a few in this world will like you.

Are you good at being you?

What an admirable woman…..

Ruth Graham ….

As I stood in the chapel at the Cove, I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed at Ruth Graham’s beauty. I’m not just talking about her physical beauty but the way she served Jesus.

Her love for her family and especially her beloved Billy. The way he looked at her and acknowledged her for who she was ….
graceful. Kind. Patient. Servant.

We all long for someone to admire us this way …

I caught myself longing to be Ruth Graham….if only I could start over and do so much different to be more like her.

I began to tear up over the things I’m not…

God reminded me that he only made one Ruth Graham and wow she was excellent at fulfilling her purpose.
She was Billy Graham’s personal counselor and He was sure to honor her by letting others know what an amazing pastor wife she was.

And …. He only made one me! I’m good at me! He continues to fulfill His purpose in me too.

You? You are good at you too…..

God created each of us for a purpose.

And no we aren’t married to a Billy Graham either BUT we are honored and loved by the God of the universe. Is 43:4

Let’s honor Him back by leaning into Jesus and asking Him to reveal our purposes ….it’s there I promise.

Even Ruth Graham could not fulfill your purpose or mine. She wasn’t created for that … ❤️

So I stand back and admire her for being Ruth Graham and I admire you for being you! ☺️

Lord show me my mission field….

A few weeks ago I asked the Lord to show me my mission field ; It was then things started to unfold in our family. They were not things I would have ordered on the menu in my prayer life but they were served before me.

Where was the pretty package I ordered?

Why wasn’t it tucked neatly so that I could choose?

Visions cancelled.

Sickness among us.

Unexpected care of a loved one (s)

As the heaviness set in my focus started to lean into the struggles but in the midst of it all my eyes shifted towards Jesus instead.

The Lord began to show me that He was right in the middle of the storm.

Saving lives.

Protecting.

Providing healthcare and medicine.

Even changing the weather to help with healing.

And even bringing new life ❤️

So as I sit here in the field…. I wait.

I wait and watch Him work as He calls me to go … using my hands and feet. What a glorious but unworthy path He has created for me.

Lord, thank you for my mission field.

“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

Living Free in suffering

Sister, are you in a place of suffering?

And are you beginning to ask God why you are you still here in this place? Or how did you get here in the first place?

Girl I’ve been there and it felt like it lasted forever.

Somehow, I thought freedom in Christ should be instant. I mean He is God right?

Sure He could have fixed it right away if that’s what He desires. All things are possible with God.

But what is God doing when it actually feels like the opposite…..

Where is He? Why isn’t He doing anything? Jesus of all people know we need freedom right?

Truth is we all go through suffering. It’s a part of the journey we are walking here on earth. We were never promised life would be perfect when we started to follow Jesus.

Remember the garden in Genesis?
It was set up perfectly for us to live in complete freedom. He gave Adam and Even free reign over the garden then came the fall. Genesis 3:15-17

So how do we walk in freedom in the midst of suffering?

1) Stop and recognize what are you focusing on.
Focusing on the suffering only keeps our view cloudy.

Galatians 5:7-8 NLT ask who has held us back from following truth? Because you are called to freedom.
Keep your eyes on Jesus. He is truth even when everything around you feel false or uneasy. Look to Him for answers. His word is truth.

2) Stop putting a time line on Jesus.
No one wants to suffer but when suffering comes we want it taken away instantly. We somehow think there should be a time limit to what we are going through. When we run ahead of God we miss the blessings.

“for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭3:26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Even though not all suffering is due to our sin it ultimately came from the root of sin (remember the fall?)

3) Rejoice in suffering. Sometimes this seems impossible during suffering. I’ve heard many times in my life that there is always something to be thankful for even in suffering. Although it might not be easy it can be done. Feelings will follow when we are obedient. Thank God for your trials and ask him to show you what you need to see and learn. He is partnering with us in the trials. It’s in the suffering that He is changing us and prepares us for His glory. He meets us in the mess.

“Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Eight days later ….

Thomas has to be one of the most relatable people in the Bible. He developed a reputation by the name of “doubting” Thomas. But I have to ask who hasn’t doubted God a time or two in their life?

I know I have. I heard a preacher say one time the Thomas was actually inquisitive rather than doubtful.

No matter how doubtful, sinful or stubborn we are Jesus would still chase after you and me.

In this passage, Jesus had risen from the dead and his first stop was to see the disciples. He sent Mary ahead to tell them He was alive and He was coming to see them.

At this time, the disciples were in hiding behind closed doors because they were of afraid of Jewish leaders. I would have loved to have seen their faces as Jesus appeared to them. Isn’t it just like Jesus to appear in the midst of fear and exclaim.. “peace be with you?”

It is His presence that makes all things good.

Thomas was MIA when Jesus appeared the first time after His resurrection. I can only imagine why he was doubtful or curious. He had not yet witnessed Jesus in resurrection form. The disciples had to be full of excitement after seeing their best friend.

But something about verse twenty-six of John chapter twenty always fills my heart. The words eight days later are a great display of His love for us.

There have been times in my life I felt God had bigger “fish to fry” than my current situation but this verse shows different.

Jesus leaves nothing undone here. Eight days later he comes back for Thomas. He sees Thomas’ unbelief and makes sure to let Thomas know He is alive and real.

How incredible is it that Jesus uses the very same words out of Thomas mouth to heal Thomas’ uncertainty of Him?

But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”

A whole eight days pass …. I’m wondering do you think Thomas felt left behind? Maybe forgotten? Or even left out of the group?

I know I have felt that way when I don’t hear from Jesus right away. When He’s not on “my time” I sometimes feel forgotten. But isn’t it like Him to be right on time even if it’s eight days later.

This passage proves to me that Jesus always sees us, never leaves us and always seeks after us. He doesn’t forget us and in His presence He always brings peace.

It’s ok to fall apart

I told myself when my son (my last baby) moved out I wouldn’t fall apart. It was a happy time – one we had prepared for his whole life.

But I knew my season was changing, so I began to go over my check list.

Can he wash his own clothes?

Can he cook?

Will he ever come to see me?

Will he stay close to Jesus?

But what I should have asked is …”was I ready?”

I would make myself busy and say things like, “now I can have a clean room for guest or to store my things in”

Or “he’s not far I can be there in a minute”

I wasn’t going to fall apart because this was a happy time. He was leaving on good terms. He is twenty-four and it is time for him to spread his wings. My husband and I had prepared him for such a time as this.

I mean, I only had the right to fall apart if things were bad, right?

Until it happened ….

One day he asked me to sit at his house while he worked so service people could do their jobs, internet, security and deliveries, etc.

While I was sitting, I thought I would continue my mommy duties and straight up after his move. I walked into his spare bedroom to see his clothes hanging in the closet. It was then it hit me, this was really happening and I fell apart. I’m talking ugly cry. I was so glad I was alone to let out all my emotions.

My baby was leaving, my season was changing and now my husband and I had officially earned the title empty nesters. And this was a good thing right?

“A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

That day I learned that it’s ok to fall apart.

Good or bad it’s ok to let out your feelings out. Never shame yourself into thinking your feelings are not real. God is a God of Grace. He had been there every step of the way reminding me of an amazing season that He allowed me to be apart of for almost 30 years.

Even though I knew this day would come, it wasn’t easy for this momma- who had given her whole life to her children- to just let go without a moment to fall apart.

No matter what you are going through God sees. He created our emotions and He is quick to validate them with His grace. Hand over your emotions and feelings to him for such a time as this.

Because it’s ok to fall apart.

Fix your eyes on Jesus

If we are to shine our light on others in a dark world we must fix our eyes on the Light source.

Matthew 6:22 says …. your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body.

What are you fixing your eyes on?

It’s easier to stay hidden in the dark when life hits and it’s a guarantee it will hit. It grabs our focus. It plants us there and leaves us unprepared. We almost never see it coming.

Jesus wants us to be prepared and full of light that outshines darkness.

So what about this light? When our eyes are healthy, our whole body is filled with light. The eyes are a mirror to the soul. It reflects our soul and reveals the truth deep within us.

Have you ever looked in someone’s eyes and seen their sorrow, hurt or grief? Or how about their joy, peace and love?

There is a defining difference.

When we choose to fix our eyes on the Light it out shines the darkness. Light cannot be hidden.

Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. Vs. 23 But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. Matt 6:22-23

In these verses Jesus is referring to stewardship but I love the meaning behind the word healthy; It translates into generous and the word unhealthy translates into stingy.

Jesus provides the a healthy generous source of light.

Jesus wants us to be spiritually healthy in everything we do.

Are our eyes spiritually healthy?

What are we focusing on?

Are we full of darkness or are we full of light?

If we are hungry we turn to food as our source of energy. If I car is out of gas turn to the gas station to fill our tank. If we are full of darkness we turned to the One who is full of light.

God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. 1 John 1:5

Jesus wants us to walk in the light with Him. He wants to fill us with His light. His light never fails us and always full fills us.

If we back up to chapter five in Matthew Jesus tells us “ we are the light of the world, a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.”

What if we allowed the most powerful Light source in the world shine so bright within us , that it allows the ones around us shine too?

“For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Where do you run when it feels like the walls are closing in on you?

The pulls of life can be strong especially when everything comes at us at once.

Moms of littles have diapers, bottles, dishes, laundry, dinner to prepare, homework, ball, dance and church activities in between Sundays.

Middle aged has work, household chores and aging parents.

And Singles of all kinds, well let’s just say my hat is off to you as you seem to carry it all.

But when there are only so many hours in a day where do we turn? And what if it seems there is no where to turn?

Recently my husband had an accident leaving him impaired for a number of weeks. This came at a time one of our parents was in great need, help at work was shorthanded and I was our only driver. Although we were blessed that part of our season was temporary, I still felt the walls closing in having to take up slack in so many areas.

How was I to be still before the Lord?

How was I to be in two places at once?

How was I suppose to make so many decisions? And will I make the right ones?

I wish I could say I always ran to a Jesus but if I’m honest I sometimes turn to others to complain, food to comfort or I just tend to walk in despair.

Sometimes seasons are just to hard and we need help.

Jesus reminded me that no matter what takes place in life He’s still here and still in control. He sees and He walks with us in each season.

And nothing catches Him off guard ❤️

We run to Him so that He can remind us that

He holds our hand….

He lights our path …..

He gives us rest ….

He still does all the healing and restoration….

He is never caught by surprise….

His ways are not our ways ….

His timing is always perfect….

He is our way out and He is always faithful.

“No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 NET

It all starts with Jesus

Have you ever thought there has to be more to Jesus than I’m experiencing?

I can remember a time in my life where I felt disconnected from Jesus. I knew there had to be more …..

I wasn’t recognizing the things that others would share with me. Like….

“God told me to share this with you” …..or

“I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in this place”… or maybe even

“God loves you so much He would never leave you here.”

Sometimes these things become common ground to those who are familiar with them. It doesn’t mean they are not real but for someone who has never experienced this they don’t seem real.

I remember a time in my life when I yearned to know these things. I wanted to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit even if it seems weird. What were these people feeling anyways?

I wanted to be able to hear from God so that I could share with someone else what God had told me.

Mostly, I wanted to understand His love. Because if He loved me so much where was he going to take me? I was right here.

All these things are real and people do experience them and the Lord wants you to experience them too.

One encounter with Jesus can change your outlook on everything. It draws us closer to Him and our understanding of Him becomes reality.

So in my frustration and curiosity I began to pray and ask the Lord … “what does all this mean?”

I wanted to know what these people where talking about….

Obviously there was more to Jesus than I was experiencing. I too wanted to experience these things and honestly I was to embarrassed to ask anyone.

My husband loves to share a story that happened years ago. We were sitting in church one Sunday morning and my pastor was getting ready to start his sermon. He asked us to turn to the book of Matthew in the Bible. I froze. I hid the pages as I pretended to know where it was located in my Bible. I flipped back and forth in embarrassment only to just close my Bible in frustration. You see, I was carrying a children bible. A precious moments bible that my husband had bought me for my birthday. I had asked for a children’s bible because I thought it would be easier to understand.

This should have been easy right? But for me it wasn’t ….

I didn’t grow up in church so I wasn’t fluent in anything when it came to church. I looked up at my husband and paused as he gently turned the pages for me to help me find the book of Matthew.

Let me tell what Jesus says about this ….

For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:8 ~Jesus

I knew one thing for sure if I looked for Him I would find Him. He isn’t hidden. He wants us to ask Him anything. And hey! That promise is in the book of Matthew by the way. Jesus said it himself.

There is no need to be embarrassed when you don’t understand what others are saying about Jesus or the Bible. It doesn’t matter how much you know because HIS greatest desire is to know you. ❤️

Do not let embarrassment or lack of understanding who Jesus is keep you from seeking after Him. He is ready and willing to reveal himself.

Trust me ….Everyone starts at the same place.

WITH Jesus.

Seek and you will find…. and you can always buy the Bible with tabs 😉

Whenever you seek him, you will find him. 2 Chronicles 15:2

I wanna be just like her ❤️

Girl, with the messy bun and no make up who has not showered in days because all your attention has gone to your family?…. I wanna be just like you.

Girl, with the messy house because all your energy has gone to a parent in need? … I wanna be just like you.

Girl, with no extra money in her account because she just helped a friend whose in great need? … I wanna be just like you.

Girl, who doesn’t care what the scale says or anything about a fashion statement because keeping up with the “Jones” just isn’t her style… I wanna be just like you.

Girl, with the distracting child during worship, only to find out she doing what she’s been taught by her mom and that’s to comfort others? .. I wanna be just like you.

Girl, who doesn’t get a date night because she’s taking care of someone else’s child whose parents are keeping their marriage together?….I wanna be just like you.

Girl, who is never on time because she just spend an hour on the phone with someone who just needed to talk never letting her know she needs to be somewhere?…. I wanna be just like you.

Girl, who chooses to pull up a chair right next to the sister who knows no one and feels left out instead of choosing to sit with her BFF …. I wanna be just like you.

Girl, who still feels confident when others talk about her because she knows who she belongs to. ….I wanna be just like you.

Hey Girl …can you teach me how to be a hero? Cause I wanna to be just like you ❤️ because you look more like Jesus!

Jesus wants to meet you in you pain.

It was one of the darkest times of my life when I was battling depression I felt God holding my hand and never letting go. My life was in the midst of many changes and I could not find relief any where I turned. My counselor suggested I get away for a weekend if we could, so my husband was gracious enough to take me to our favorite place in the mountains.

I prayed the darkness would stay behind so that I wouldn’t connect memories of darkness to my favorite place. I wanted so desperately to disconnect the two from each other.I needed a safe place to land, one of peace and rest.

Sleep wasn’t something I was able to do much of during those days. It seems aniexty, fear and depression love to hang tight together keeping me up late and waking me up earlier than I desired. It was then my thoughts worsened and would spiral out of control.

As my eyes opened wide one morning on that weekend gettaway I begged God to just let my mind be still. I pleaded with God….“Please God just let me lay here without thinking”

I needed God to meet me here and replace my fear with good thoughts. I remembered the verse where he promised to take every thought captive.

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10:5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

There I lay still as He so graciously replaced my anxious thoughts with one of the sweetest memories from my childhood.

When I was a little girl my grandparents lived at the beach and I blessed to spend every summer with them.

One of my favorite memories was when my grandfather would take me by the hand and throw me into the waves. Saltwater would sting my eyes and nose as I would come up grasping for air only to do it over and over again.

I often wondered why this seemed fun when later my eyes were swollen from rubbing them clean of saltwater. I knew I could do it all over again and I again because I felt safe. Even when I felt I was drowning he never let go of my hand.

I knew in that moment what the Holy Spirit was saying to me…

“There will be many times you will be standing on the shore feeling as if the waves are crashing all around you. You might even think you are even drowning but I will never let go of your hand.”

Perhaps you have been here too my friend?

“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.””
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

It was there in that moment I knew He was there, listening to me and hearing my prayer. He met me in my pain.

Let me remind you too. Never will He ever leave you or forsake you He promises. His promises are truth. He is always faithful even when we can’t feel Him.

Jesus wants to meet you in your pain. ❤️

Being still is not lazy…

I love to get up early and just sit and listen and watch the beautiful things God has created before the day gets into it’s crazy.

Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. Psalms 5:3

And then there is guilt, who loves to whisper in my ear how lazy I am when I sit down. I need to be doing something …. getting something accomplished right?!

The enemy loves to keep us busy.

There is also a different kind of noise ….Life

This morning I was reminded that for every car going by there is a person inside of it who might not have had the time to be still….

I thought about the single mom struggling to get herself ready last because of all the task she had prior …kids, work, supper, laundry, etc.

I thought about the Dad who has worked overtime to make ends meet and is exhausted…..

I thought about the school bus driver who had to get up way early to provide a service for those working parents….

I thought about the person who was exhausted because of the thoughts running through their head and couldn’t get rest last night ….

And to the sirens … thankful that I didn’t need their service but oh so thankful they are there to help others ❤️

Reminder:

God sees you ….you are not forgotten ❤️

Taking the time to be still in this world is an art, it’s intentional and it’s a gift …. it’s even a command 🤷‍♀️
Psalms 46:10

When you ARE still you are not lazy… don’t let guilt slip in…

You need to be filled and rested and restored. Only God can do those things for you and He wants to.

Let Him speak life back into you. You are His greatest treasure ❤️

When doubts fill my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. Psalms 94:19

Unplugged

Sometimes we need to stop and be still to remind us of our purpose. Unplug from the world. Turn off the noise.

The serene silence made time stand still.

I came here with MY agenda to a place that lives up to its name … #unplugged

As I walked to the back of the property, I started to turn back because I was on unfamiliar ground. A bit creepy but the curiosity of a familiar noise drew me in closer.

Water.

There is something about the water that draws us in, perhaps it’s the calmness of the steady flow, or the noise that drowns out life around us.

It becomes an invitation to sit and listen. As I sat, looking all around me, I felt I needed to ask permission from my surroundings….

Nothing there but serenity. I stood in awe of this place. Why wasn’t it mentioned?

As if it some sort of surprise….

I wanted to be close to the water so I eased my way towards a rock and sat.

I closed my eyes so that I could only hear the flow of the water, the steady stream.

As the sun came bearing down, all I could feel was warmth as if it reached down to hug me to hold me there.

It was then I was reminded of Elijah when God placed him by the brook. Was this my Cerith for the next few days?

“So he went and did according to the word of the LORD, for he went and stayed by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. (I Kings‬ ‭17:5‬ ‭NKJV)‬‬

In the stillness of the air, I began to feel a gentle breeze move across my face. I knew He was there to meet me because I opened my eyes only to see several wind chimes planted all around me were silent.

Suddenly an agenda wasn’t needed only His presence.
I could see Him in everything ….tiny purple flowers peeping through the middle of dead leaves left from winter.

It’s in these moments, unplugged, He brings life into all things ….the water, the air, the sand, the rocks and dead leaves.

In the stillness He became my agenda….❤️

What we surround ourselves with matters

“But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you.” Matt 15:18

What or who we surround ourselves with matters…

We all think we are strong enough in our minds to reframe from most anything we surround ourselves with.

I have a saying that I would say to my children when they were younger but it holds true with us adults too… “trash in trash out. “

In fact, God actually talks about this in His word…

I’m not much of a TV watcher these days -so much so- that my adult children to this day say things like “ no mom don’t watch that you really wouldn’t like it”or “that show is not for you mom you would turn it off”

It’s not because I’m completely influenced by what comes on the TV that would move me to act on a -not so permissible scene; It’s because I’m easily influenced by my emotions by allowing things to absorb into my heart leading me to ponder on them sometimes for days.

I can remember many years ago when I was swopped into soap operas. I had to make sure I was home in time to see each episode. It was a passion at the time. My friends and I would get on our long, cord-stretched phones to discuss that days episode.

I know that statement dates me but it was that long ago…..

I laugh now thinking I could prob start watching it tomorrow and pick right back up where they left off.

But there is a memory etched in my mind of my oldest daughter frozen in front of the TV. Her little head was tilted toward the screen in deep curiosity. She was trying to figure out what the couple on the screen was doing as they engaged in a deep passion kiss.

I cringed at the thought of what was going through her little innocent mind….. I had to ask myself …”is watching this worth what will cloud her mind?” Not to mention my time wasted on what I was watching. Don’t get me wrong I’m not judging anyone who watched soap operas, I certainly don’t have that right but I did have to make a decision what I was allowing my child to absorb into her mind and my mind.

I knew I was responsible for her surroundings not just mine.

What we surround ourselves with matters.

What we read… what we watch….what we listen to…. even who we hang out with matters. This is not just for kids and teenagers. I’m talking to us adults too.

It doesn’t seem to matter to us until the ugly escapes out of our mouth from our heart.

This actually came from Jesus mouth…

“But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you.”

Matthew 15:18 NLT

Our hearts are automatically deceitful, no need to add to the source, right?

I know it seems trivial to think … what in the world does a song or a tv show have to do with my heart? Or just because my friend gossips doesn’t mean I will but let me ask you….

Do you have that friend that easy to gossip around? Or talk critical of others?

Are you influenced by music that takes you back to a time in your life that was not so pleasing to God or you?

What about that show or movie that causes our mind to wonder places that leave us very disappointed in our spouse, friends or children because they don’t quite measure up?

What defiles you? It took me a long time to figure just how weak I was when it comes to what I surrounded myself with and how much it influences me.

Next time you have that lunch date with a friend evaluate your own heart? That song? That show? Whatever it is that draws you and me away from the good things God has for us.

Together lets…

Make a choice to shut down the things that cloud our hearts and minds….

Take the time to shut off everything around us and listen to what Jesus has to fill us with …

peace, joy, happiness, wisdom, hope and mostly His love! ❤️

Be still and know that I am God… Ps 46:10

Show me the right path, O Lord

Wouldn’t it be nice if we knew the right path to take ahead of time?

Like when we have a decision on which job to take? Or where to live? Or which church to attend? Who to date or marry?

Or simply which dress to wear to our next event?

My husband and I were recently traveling back from an anniversary trip and our GPS gave us an alert that traffic was at a standstill a few miles ahead. So I convinced my husband to reroute our trip through a little town I was familiar with in my previously travels.

His response was “sure but I have no idea where we are” but my thoughts were we had the gps right? Beside the country side was beautiful to see.

So we headed off to the little town nearby enjoying the scenery, when my husband asked “how are we on gas?” Well I assumed we had plenty because of our last stop he replenished it but I was wrong we were low and no gas station in site on these beautiful country roads.

It was then my GPS decided to reroute us down unfamiliar roads, my gas light comes on and now there was no cell service.

Yes…. I began to panic and pray for the person behind the door I was about to knock on would be gracious enough to loan me gas.

Did I mention my car only takes a certain type of gas? Finally up ahead we see a gas station pulling in with a sigh of relief only to find out they did not carry my type of gas.

By this time I was in full panic mode. My stomach began to hurt, I began to sweat and I was holding back tears of terror as my knuckles became white from gripping the steering wheel to tight.

What were we going to do?

If only our gps had stayed on track because we had trusted it.

I began to pray Lord please find us a gas station. By this point we were willing to put any type of gas in the car and reap the consequences later.

Have you ever found yourself in this situation in life?

How did we get here? I was sure this was the right path and now I was willing to do anything to get myself out of this mess….Begging God to fix it. If only I had trusted in Him first instead of my own way, would the outcome been better?

Psalms 25:4-5 show me the right path, oh Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Leave me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.

God was so gracious that day in our travels. He put us back on the right path, lead us to the right gas station-with the right gas and we made it home safely. But it reminded me of how many times in my walk with Jesus do I try to bring Him onto my path rather me onto His.

He has the right path and He always points us in the right direction of truth and righteousness if only we put our hope and trust in Him first ❤️

Stand up and fight with the full armor of God.

It is six am and I already want to crawl back in bed. Today, I want to cancel my plans with friends and hide under the covers. Drowning thoughts consume me from the start.

I must be a disappoint to God. I can’t get anything accomplished. I’m not smart. I have no purpose. My thoughts won’t stay in one place for very long. I begin to feel insane.

I begin to grasp for stabililty so I flip open my Devotional and I hold my bible close or maybe I’ll pick up a current bible study or no I think I will just sit in silence.

I can’t even seem to make a rational decision.

Nothing……I want to cry out “whats wrong with with me?”

I want to tell someone but I’m sure they are tired of hearing me cry for answers.

I sifted through my thoughts but the enemy is distracting me and wants to confuse me.

“Lord please bring light to my darkness.” I cry.

These thoughts have rang through my head so many times leaving me stuck in darkness.

Today are the same thoughts but a different outcome. I turn to the One who holds my problems.

Today I listened. I hear a still small voice that says , “stand up and fight” so I close my eyes and sing praises and call out His the name of Jesus. It draws me in closer to him; Reminding me who I belong to. Who holds all the peace. Who takes every thought captive.

Espesians 6:11 Use all the help that God gives us. Then you can be like a solider who fights against the devil. You must put on the whole armour that God gives to us. The devil attacks us in clever ways, and we need to be strong.

Jesus wants me to fight. Suddenly, I’m no longer helpless. I feel like Jesus is by my side. This battle is His but He wants me to stand on my own two feet.

A warrior with armor. Just like King David.

God knows we needed armor and He wants us to be strong.

Esphesians 6:13 Because of that, take all the help that God gives, like its your armour. Then, when the bad time comes, you will be able to stand strongly. You will not fall. After you have finished everything, you will still be standing strongly in your place.

He asks us to pray, take up His yoke, be humble, praise Him…….

Isaiah 40:11 He takes care of His people, like a shepherd who takes care of his sheep. He picks up the young lambs and he carries them near to his heart. He carefully leads the mother sheep that have lambs.

This reminds me of when my children were learning to walk. I stood by them, holding their hands and protected them against the fall. I encouraged them to stand on their own two feet. I would cheer them on to take the next step while standing close by to catch their fall. I loved them enough to teach them to be independent while holding their hand.

Psalms 18:35 You have given me your shield of victory. You right hand supports me; your help has made me great.

This is what a good father does. I see my Father standing over me as I look up into His eyes as He holds my hand.

I cling to you; you strong right hand holds me securely. Psalms 63:8

Remind the enemy that you have a Father that’s bigger and better than him. He fights for you.

Today put on your armor and stand up a s fight!

Truth closes the door to a lifetime of pain.

When God showed me what HIS words looked like in action, I found rest for my soul.

My heart sank when I received a text message stating “Wow I can’t believe he just put that comment on Facebook.”

I had taken myself off social media to relieve my anxiety of comparison and rejection of others.

But of course I needed to see this for myself so I reloaded my app just to see the comment. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It had been weeks since I checked social media to avoid being rejected from friends I had once been so close to. I wanted to cry as I held my phone in my hand. But I wasn’t supposed to see this, or was I?

The constant wondering of where I stood in this friendship had consumed me. I felt the heat rise from my stomach to my face as tears stung my eyes. It was a comment directed straight for my heart. It was meant to hurt me and it did.

It wasn’t just about the comment, a lifetime of rejection had come flooding back to my soul. As I slowly sank into my seat shuffling through my thoughts, I did only what I knew to do. I did some thing I wished I was more conditioned to do.

I ran to Jesus.

“Jesus I need you.”

I was determined I wasn’t going to let my feelings consume me this time. It was a trap I refused to fall into this time. At first, I wanted to cry, scream or lash back a nasty comment. This time I handed it to Jesus.

I heard him say, “Hand me your feelings, you are done, you are released from this pain.”

It was finished. Relief was finally flooding my soul as I finally knew where I stood in this relationship.

The unspeakable peace, you know the peace you just can’t put into words? It wasn’t just a reaction to my feelings. This relief was an answered prayer to a prayer I had prayed many times. A situation I didn’t know how to handle. Something that had caused deep pain in my life. How was I to let it go? I finally gave it to him. And he knew just what to do with it. He carried my burden and gave me rest.

“Come to me, all who weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ” Matthew 11: 28-29

In that moment my tears of pain became tears of relief. Truth had closed the door to a lifetime of pain. I knew in that moment God was showing me what HIS words looked like in action and I had found rest for my soul.

FREE TO LOVE

Jesus set the greatest example:

Did you know that we are free to love?

Without judging? Or fixing?

When I discovered this for myself it was such a freedom and honestly it opened the door for me to love deeper.

I get it….it’s easy to judge or try to fix especially when you think you have the answer.

But Jesus is so much better at this ….

My favorite story in the Bible is in John 8. There is a woman who was caught in a sex act….scandalous but …

This story was actually a set up against Jesus from the Pharisees. They thought they had caught Jesus breaking the law. Surely this was the sin that was unforgivable right?

Little did they know just who they were talking to…..

The punishment? Stone her to death.

Talk about scandalous…. Jesus could have easily carried out the law here BUT….he chose mercy and grace instead.

The law actually stated that both the man and woman were to be stoned – yeah and where was tha man anyways?

Best part!!! Jesus saw all their hearts- from the women to the Pharisees- this is what He says, “ let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.“

Here is where I wanna stand up and shout “YEAH, you tell’em Jesus.”

And you know what happened? One by one they all walked away… talk about drop the 🎤!

But Jesus turns to the woman and says “ where are they?” 🤷‍♀️ “has no one condemned you?” ……

Sure, He addressed her sin. We can’t forget she did break the law but even Jesus looks at her and says, “Then neither do I condemn you, go now and leave your life of sin.”

Because Jesus loves so radically, I would be willing to bet that he was actually standing right next to the adulterous woman with His arm around her.

This is my perspective but I would be willing to bet he put his arm around and covered her with His cloak. He provided covering in the garden with Adam and Eve.

Now this is freedom….
So if Jesus can love freely why can’t we? He was the greatest example!!

We don’t have to try to fix anyone or judge them for what they have done, just love!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Who could you wrap your arm around today and love them even in their sin? 🤷‍♀️

pressuresoff #lovewins #livebyexample