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All to Jesus Now

Colossians 2:13-14 (AMP) When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh (worldliness, manner of life), God made you alive together with Christ, having [freely] forgiven us all our sins, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of legal demands [which were in force] against us and which were hostile to us. And this certificate He has set aside and completely removed by nailing it to the cross.

Did you know that when we keep track of those who wrong us, fail to match our level of compassion or love, or compare themselves to us, we’re essentially holding a debt against them? I am looking back over my memories, and it was this time fourteen years ago that my husband and I were preparing to take over as the pastors of our church. His parents had started our church in 1993, and we were going to step in January of 2013. We had no idea the amount of stress that was coming our way. It began on the first night when a couple approached us and said they would not be continuing, as they didn’t like the type of people they believed we would attract to the church.

Over the next few years, we would have more leave for different reasons. They either were submitted to his father and did not think we could take them to a new level in ministry, or they tried to use their money to persuade how things went. My husband and I worked at the time, so we did not need money from the church (still do not). What hurt us the most was when family left. We almost quit over that one. We actually had the words come out of our mouths and not a few moments later a great man of God (hundreds of miles away) called and said, “God said, don’t quit.”

It was not just people we had a reason to quit over; it was the money issues of the church as well. The overhead of the property was way too much for our congregation to handle. There is so much involved with the debt the church was in, that I cannot put it into writing. My husband and I took on a good portion of the debt. Even after the sale of the church property, there was nothing. It was by the goodness of other pastors that we have a place to worship today.

What about the debt we took on for the church? It took us ten years to pay it off. It was not our debt, should we demand it back? The answer is no. We talked about whether, once the church is in a better place, we should ask for it back someday. We could not do it. We could not use it against the church either. They owe us nothing. We serve with nothing expected in return. You may say that it depends on the amount of debt owed. Could you walk away from $100? Could you walk away from $5000? How about $100,000? We walked away from the last one. We decided to give it as free will offering. We did not say it was our tithe; it was above our tithe. It was the best decision we made. Prosperity is not about money; there is an abundance of joy and peace that money cannot buy.

Hebrews 12:2-3 (AMP) [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work]. Just consider and meditate on Him who endured from sinners such bitter hostility against Himself [consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

When I hear people say they are owed something or they deserve something I grieve, because they are collecting a debt. This is not about wages, this is about how they are in their homes. I think about the high price Christ paid for me, and it turns me away from my selfish ways. I was pretty selfish at one point in my life, even after I got saved. God allowed something to shake me, giving me the choice to either fall into bitterness or grow closer to Him. It was my choice. I chose Him. That was eight years ago. I look back at that time, and I am so very grateful for the shaking and for burning those bridges (my plow like Elisha), so that I cannot go back. I got to share about the trials and what it brought me to. The lives that I have been able to touch for Christ because of it. The change it brought in me.

Romans 4:4-8 (AMP) Now to a laborer, his wages are not credited as a favor or a gift, but as an obligation [something owed to him]. But to the one who does not work [that is, the one who does not try to earn his salvation by doing good], but believes and completely trusts in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God). And in this same way David speaks of the blessing on the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: “Blessed and happy and favored are those whose lawless acts have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered up and completely buried. “Blessed and happy and favored is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account nor charge against him.”

How can I hold a debt or demand anything from someone when my greatest debt has already been forgiven? Did we have questions and were upset when that debt came upon us? Yes, we are human and had human reactions. Who did we talk with our frustrations with? Each other and God. We kept it between us. We only share it afterward, because it’s a story of victory, not one of self-pity. Self-pity says there is a debt still owed. Why did we choose it this way? All to Jesus now. Jesus paid the ultimate debt; it is because of Jesus that we can live debt free. When we serve in our church and give to others, we expect nothing in return. We do not demand respect due our title in the church. We are who we are because of Christ and so very grateful for it. All to Jesus now. Nothing held back. My chains have fallen; I am free. What debts are you holding onto that you need to surrender to be free?

Abba Father, Creator, Lord of all, You are Marvelous and Wonderful. Your name is worthy of all honor and praise. There is none like You. Thank You for Your Son, our Redeemer. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, our Teacher. Thank You for setting the captives free. We have accepted Your free gift of salvation. We bring our anxious thoughts before You. Let peace guard our hearts and mind. We repent for taking stock of what we think we are owed. We are sorry for keeping debts where you told us to forgive. We accept the responsibility of taking our thoughts captive. We choose to believe the truth and reject the lies of Satan. We confess that when we kept debts, we were listening to the lies of the enemy of what we were owed. We commit to think on what is true, what is lovely, and what is right according to Your Word. We choose to commit a life focused on Jesus, all to Jesus now. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Dwelling Place

Ephesians 3:17 (AMP) so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith. And may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love

It has been nineteen years since we moved into our home. I was pregnant with our second child (our youngest) and we were looking to move to the city our church had planted roots. At the time we lived twenty miles away. That is not a bad drive for a Sunday. We were not at church only on Sundays. We were at church six, maybe seven days a week. We had to be there at six in the morning, and we did not leave until after six in the evenings. That is a huge tole on young family. So, we decided to sell our starter home and move.

Did I tell you I was pregnant? I had specific wants for our new home. We were looking for a house with a back yard and mature trees. So that took out the new construction. I also wanted something with character. My husband and realtor were troopers. We physically went to nearly eighty houses that summer. I was in my third trimester and we were getting desperate. We decided to ride around neighborhoods and found a home for sale by owner. We called and made an appointment to see the house. We took our then three-year-old and when we knocked on the door he asked, “Can we buy your house?” It was our house. We moved in just weeks before our baby arrived.

My boys got to grow up in this house. They have had birthday parties and friends sleep over. We have had camp outs in the back yard. We have a pool, so the kids would come over every summer. Bikes were in our driveway in the summer. Our home is a welcome place for anyone who needs a hot meal, a listening ear and a place to just hang out. This is where we dwell.

Ephesians 2:22 (AMP) In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

The church community we belong to is also a very important dwelling place for us. As I was in prayer I heard “dwelling place” and I started to list all the parts of what a dwelling place needs. First, our dwelling place should be a place of rest. This is where we sleep and release the stress of the day. Second, this is where we cook and eat our meals. This is where we are nourished. Third, we bathe and or shower in our dwellings. This is where we keep clean. Fourth, our homes (according to the word) are where we provide hospitality. We invite the community and give freely of ourselves. Finally, it is where we abide. This is where we get to know the others we are residing with. Our dwelling places are secure because of the foundation it is on.

Look at all five of those characteristics I laid out, and can you apply them to the home you live in now? What about your relationship with Christ? What about the church you belong to?

Psalm 23:6 (AMP) Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the Lord.

Psalm 27:4 (AMP) One thing I have asked of the Lord, and that I will seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty [the delightful loveliness and majestic grandeur] of the Lord and to meditate in His temple.

Dwelling place is three-fold in my life. It is the home that I have created with my husband and children. It is the relationship I have with Christ. I have invited Him to dwell with me. That means He has full access to every area and permission to rearrange His dwelling. Also, my church is part of my dwelling. Although my husband and I are pastors, we find rest there, it is not a burden to get to serve the way we do. We are nourished in the presenting of the Word and the corporate worship we are a part of. The washing of the Word is an essential part of our lives. Our faith grows every time we hear the Word, from our mouths and those around us. The community we have and the way we freely give of ourselves is the hospitality that we are called to (Romans 12:3, Romans 16:2, Hebrews 13:2). The abiding with Christ should give us a desire to get to know those we worship with. I once heard that you will not grow any more in your vertical relationship unless you learn to grow in the horizontal relationships, in the place God has planted you.

I am so very grateful for the dwelling place. The foundation of my dwelling is secure so that I can be planted and grow spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. “Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health [physically], just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually] (3 John 2),” is a scripture that I hold close to my heart. My soul needs a dwelling place. Yes, I have a soul, my soul dwells within me. However, what is feeding my soul? All five of those characteristics of my dwelling place are what feeds my soul as well. If my dwelling is messed up, then my thinking is going to be messed up. My heart will be self-centered in the wrong dwelling place. I have found a dwelling place that has strengthened me in my growth with Christ. He dwells within me and has full access to His dwelling.

I have taken Psalm 84 as our prayer for today. Read it, speak it, and meditate on it:

How lovely are Your dwelling places,
O Lord of hosts!
My soul (my life, my inner self) longs for and greatly desires the courts of the Lord;
My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.
The bird has found a house,
And the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young—
Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts,
My King and my God.
Blessed and greatly favored are those who dwell in Your house and Your presence;
They will be singing Your praises all the day long. Selah.

Blessed and greatly favored is the man whose strength is in You,
In whose heart are the highways to Zion.
Passing through the Valley of Weeping (Baca), they make it a place of springs;
The early rain also covers it with blessings.
They go from strength to strength [increasing in victorious power];
Each of them appears before God in Zion.
O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
Listen, O God of Jacob! Selah.
See our shield, O God,
And look at the face of Your anointed [the king as Your representative].
For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand [anywhere else];
I would rather stand [as a doorkeeper] at the threshold of the house of my God
Than to live [at ease] in the tents of wickedness.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord bestows grace and favor and honor;
No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts,
How blessed and greatly favored is the man who trusts in You [believing in You, relying on You, and committing himself to You with confident hope and expectation].

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We are standing

Romans 5:2 (AMP) Through Him we also have access by faith into this [remarkable state of] grace in which we [firmly and safely and securely] stand. Let us rejoice in our hope and the confident assurance of [experiencing and enjoying] the glory of [our great] God [the manifestation of His excellence and power].

While in prayer the other day a song popped into my head. It still comes up randomly and is playing over and over again at this moment. It is just the chorus, but it caused me to ponder of the meaning of this song as I was praying.

We are standing on holy ground
For I know that there are angels all around
Let us praise Jesus now
For we are standing in His presence on holy ground

I do not want to start with the first line, I want to really stress that the presence of God is not earned, and you do not need a formula to get there. If you are in Christ, then where you are now standing in His presence. We as a church do not need to sing the right songs to enter His presence. Is your mind focused on Him? What is your heart aligned with? Our atonement has already been paid for with Christ. You may still believe that it is only the elect that can go into the presence of God. It is not reserved for your Pastor or even an earthly Priest.

Hebrews 4:15-16 (AMP)  For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin. Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].

What did come to thought when I remembered the lyrics about standing in His presence? I thought of Moses and even though they were to be given the promised land, Moses desired His presence to go with them.  And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest,” Exodus 33:14 (MEV). Rest is found in His Presence. Rest is a place of peace. When they entered the promised land, they were physically going to have to work and fight, but they would be at rest. When I step out of who I am in Christ, that is when unrest happens. Worry, anxiety, disappointments and even a feeling of defeat can come over me.

Psalms 16:11 (AMP) You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

Another benefit of His presence is joy. Not just a little bit of joy, but fullness of joy. Jesus even states in John 15:11 that the abiding and instructions of obedience was for, “I have told you these things so that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy may be made full and complete and overflowing.” An overflowing amount of joy. Does that seem too good to be true? What are you abiding in? What has your mind been focused on lately? Are you still holding on to the worries you said you had given over to Him?

We are standing on holy ground. This is not a literal ground we are standing on. This is the position we have in Christ. Moses was told to remove his sandals in Exodus because of the holy ground. This is not that. Are you good ground? Jesus referred to soil, seeds and roots. What makes it holy? When we consecrate ourselves to the Lord. When we surrender ourselves to His will and His purpose. I am good ground not because of me, but because of Christ in me. In the Old Testament the word used in Hebrew was qadash (קָדַשׁ). Garments, utensils and furniture were qadash-ed for use in the temple. It was because of Christ that we now have a different look at sanctification.

Romans 12:1 (AMP) Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.

In Hebrew, qōdesh (קֹדֶשׁ) means “holiness,” it is only after we consecrate ourselves that we can live in holiness. This is not an outward appearance. Why would He call us to abide in Him? For this very reason. He calls us His royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9).

1 Peter 1: 15-16 (AMP) But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your conduct [be set apart from the world by your godly character and moral courage]; because it is written, “You shall be holy (set apart), for I am holy.”

Character is developed; it does not require us to change anything on the outside until we all the Holy Spirit to work on our inward nature. Too often we get excited of the new life in Christ that we want them to look the part. We want them to act the part. We do not point them to the one who transforms our thinking. We do not encourage them in the identity of Christ. Character is developed from the abiding. Roots cannot grow without the abiding. They will not know the deep love of Christ without the abiding. Looking holy is not being consecrated and does not lead to true holiness. We are holy ground because we have consecrated ourselves to the Lord.

Finally, I want to look at what it means to stand. Standing does not lack movement. Our knees are not locked. Our hearts are. Our minds are. We are focused on Jesus. Jesus said to go. We are to be open to the opportunities given to spread the gospel. We are standing prepared because we are standing in His presence. Angels all around is like with Elisha talking with his servant and prayed for God to open his eyes (2 Kings 6:17). We are never alone. The kingdom of God is not wishful thinking of heaven one day. When we pray “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as in Heaven,” what do that mean to you? Are they religious words or our they what you truly believe? I truly believe that eternity started the moment I received my salvation. I truly believe that I am a tree of righteousness, rooted and grounded in the love of Christ. It took me a long time to realize all of it. I do not want others to have to take the long way that I did. I want to point them to the abiding. I want to tell them that consecration is not hard or complicated. I want to tell them about a choice of surrender leads to a different way of thinking. I want to let them know true character development happens when the Holy Spirit leads. I want them to really know what it means that we are standing in His presence on holy ground.

Abba, Father, Creator and Lord, You are Mighty and Glorious, worthy of all honor and praise. You are Holy. Thank You for Your Son, our Redeemer. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, Your manifested presence here on earth. Help us to keep from over complicating what it means to be consecrated. We repent for not allowing the abiding place to be where relationship happens. It is only here that the ability to walk in real consecration and holiness happens. We want to walk in victory over sin, but we cannot do it apart from You. Today we choose to humbly draw near. We desire to qadash ourselves to You. We desire the power of purity that flows freely from Your presence, it is our heart connection to You. The nature of Christ within is imparted when we keep in step with Your Presence. We declare with our whole hearts that we are standing in Your presence on holy ground. We choose surrender today. We choose joy today. We choose hope today. We choose forgiveness today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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What happens when we leave out bread?

Luke 11:3 (AMP) Give us each day our daily bread.

Today bread is one of the foods we like to take out of our diet to lose weight. There are those with gluten or wheat allergies and have to abstain or their bodies will not feel good. In ancient Israel bread was a essential at every table, as it was what provided the calories for daily life. Bread played a central role in Jewish life, symbolizing nourishment, divine care, togetherness, and spiritual meaning, making it both an everyday staple and a sacred tradition. It was considered a gift from God and a divine blessing.

Deuteronomy 8:3 (AMP) He humbled you and allowed you to be hungry and fed you with manna, [a substance] which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, so that He might make you understand [by personal experience] that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.

Which bread is Jesus referring to in the Lord’s prayer? Was it literal bread or was it figurative bread? How about both. God does care about our physical needs. We cannot be so spiritually minded that we are no earthly good. God does not just care about spiritual matters. He cares about your entire self. Here is the thing, we get so caught up in tomorrow that we cannot focus on today. In Exodus 16, manna was provided with instructions.

Exodus 16:16 (AMP)  This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Let every man gather as much of it as he needs. Take an omer for each person, according to the number of people each of you has in his tent.’”

This was to be done daily, and only the day before the Sabbath were they allowed to collect for two days. What would happen when they did not follow and tried to do it their way? The bread would start to smell sour and have worms in it. God desired for them to come before Him daily. They were still in the habit of seeking Him when they needed something. He does care about our needs. Here are some scriptures that I want you to ponder:

John 3:35 (AMP) Jesus replied to them, “I am the Bread of Life. The one who comes to Me will never be hungry, and the one who believes in Me [as Savior] will never be thirsty [for that one will be sustained spiritually].

John 6:48-51 (AMP) I am the Bread of Life [the Living Bread which gives and sustains life]. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the Bread that comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the Living Bread that came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this Bread [believes in Me, accepts Me as Savior], he will live forever. And the Bread that I will give for the life of the world is My flesh (body).”

Jeremiah 29:13 (AMP) Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Psalms 27:8 (AMP) When You said, “Seek My face [in prayer, require My presence as your greatest need],” my heart said to You, “Your face, O Lord, I will seek [on the authority of Your word].”

Psalms 105:4 (AMP) Seek and deeply long for the Lord and His strength [His power, His might]; Seek and deeply long for His face and His presence continually.

Matthew 6:33 (AMP) But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

What happens when our bodies go without food for a long time? I am not talking about a spiritual fast from food. I am talking about a time when you just do not feel like eating. I recently took a trip to Disney World with my husband. I skipped breakfast because I planned to ride a roller coaster first thing, and it usually gives me motion sickness. I am not usually hungry until lunch anyways, so no big deal. Huge mistake! We had water, but I forgot the electrolyte packets, which is a benefit in July heat. It was the hottest day with a heat index of 102 degrees. I had a fan and some snacks for when we got hungry, like granola bars and cheese crackers. The ride was down when we got there and did not come back up until around noon. I felt the hunger pangs but ignored it to try to make it until we could get on (another mistake).

I got the notification that the ride was back up, but we were in line to take a picture with a character. That is one of my joy’s about visiting Disney is all the character meet and greets. I know I am a grown woman; I still like to be a kid sometimes. What was this ride? Rockin Roller Coaster and had just been redone with the Muppets band, Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem. We have watched all the Muppet movies and grew up watching The Muppet Show. I know, we are just big kids! We get in line and it is a ninety-minute wait, which ended up being two hours. We chose to wait it out because this ride has had multiple closures, as I had been following, and this was probably our only chance. Most of the cue for the line is outside, there are fans and shade umbrellas, but it was hot. I was doing pretty good until I was not. Here I am in a crowd of people, and I start to get dizzy. Then the nausea and sweat. What just happened? No electrolytes and no food. I had become weak and needed to sit down. I had a granola bar, could that help? Nope. I needed something with lots of sugar and fast. I called out looking for hard candy. Some sweet people helped me find some and even helped me up when the line started moving. Within minutes, with a cold towel around my neck and some candy, I was back on my feet. I let John (my husband) continue on the ride without me. I did not need the concussion from takeoff to be added to our adventure. We went back to our room and rested a few hours, then went back to the park to finish out our day.

What has this got to do with daily bread? It reminded me that trials and tribulations are going to come in our lives (heart waves). Do we have the sustenance from our daily bread to withstand them. If I had eaten that granola bar in the morning, like I did the next park day, I probably would not have had that sugar crash in line with the heat wave. The bread was not needed after the heat; it was needed before to prepare my body. We often look at our times with God as something we can fit in later. I can read my Bible another time. Then when we have times of trials, we become exhausted and want to fall down in defeat. If we are feeling the exhaustion more than we are feeling the abundance of joy, then we need to look at what we are not feeding on. Read John 15. It is true that Jesus never leaves us nor forsakes us, that does not mean we do not seek His face. I learned a very humbling lesson that day. It did not keep me from enjoying our week though.

Abba, Father, our Banner, You are Marvelous and Wonderful. You are Holy and worthy of all honor and praise. Thank You for Your Son Jesus and His steadfast love. Thank You for the Holy Spirit, our Friend and Teacher. Thank You for Your Word. We repent for not going before You and reading Your Word as if it was the best meal that You ever offered us. We are sorry for taking it for granted as if it does not nourish us more than the lusts of this world, with what we see, taste and smell. Let us come back to You with humble hearts, seeking Your face. You desire to fill us with everything You have and we so often look at Your hands and not Your face. We repent for looking at our circumstances and people as meeting our needs, when we should be seeking after Your righteousness first. You call us the trees of righteousness, on that tree is good fruit. Let us have good fruit, starting with the fullness of Your love, joy and peace. Let us no longer ignore the hunger pangs and turn back to Your face. We choose forgiveness today. We choose love today. We choose surrender today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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How deep?

Ephesians 3:16-18 (AMP) May He grant you out of the riches of His glory, to be strengthened and spiritually energized with power through His Spirit in your inner self, [indwelling your innermost being and personality], so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith. And may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love, be fully capable of comprehending with all the saints (God’s people) the width and length and height and depth of His love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love]

Earlier this week I had a group come over and swim. There was a young girl who is probably eight or nine and she wanted to know if I could touch the bottom. The deepest part of my pool is eight foot deep. That is pretty standard for home pools and what I grew up swimming in. When I was a preteen, I could hold my breath the whole length of the pool and swim from end to end under water. I showed her how to dive down and touch the bottom and use your legs to shoot yourself back the surface. I am much older and cannot quite make it from one end to the other in one breath, but I can still sit at the bottom for a moment and then shoot myself back up.

God desires us to know Him intimately and that takes us going deeper. I love the amplified translation here where it says to “deeply rooted” and the “depths of His love.” It reminds me of a vision that Ezekiel had as recorded in the Bible.

Ezekiel 47:1 (AMP) Then he [my guide] brought me back to the door of the house [the temple of the Lord]; and behold, water was flowing from under the threshold of the house (temple) toward the east, for the front of the temple was facing east. And the water was flowing down from under, from the right side of the house, from south of the altar.

The water flowing starts as a trickle coming from under the doors of the temple threshold doors, then it flows into a mighty river. We are individually and collectively the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19, Ephesians 2:21-22). Jesus, our Living Water, should be flowing through us (John 7:37-39). These waters should be enough to swim in. I love that visual.

I know some have a fear or feel insecure in water. So, this visual of swimming may not be as peaceful for you. What is a vision of peace that you do have? I love the beach and listening to the crashing waves as I read a book. When I was a teenager, I would get in a float and just let the waves take me out and down the coast. My grandmother was fearless, so I guess that is why I grew up so comfortable in the water. It was her pool that I learned to swim in, and it was she who let me just float in the waves.

The river in Ezekiel did not start off deep. It stared ankle deep, then knee deep, then waist deep, then deep enough to swim in. God calls us to deeper knowledge and relationship with Him. He wants you to be rich in His Presence.

Ephesians 3:19 (AMP) and [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself].

Along the banks, as we continue in Ezekiel 47, the fruit trees grow and never wither and produce fruit year-round, with leaves used for healing. In Isaiah 61:3 we are called trees of righteousness, because we are firmly rooted in God. Galatians 5:22-23 gives us the fruits if the Spirit that we should be cultivating in our lives. Fruit that is meant to be producing continually and to share.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (AMP) Blessed [with spiritual security] is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the Lord and whose hope and confident expectation is the Lord. “For he will be [nourished] like a tree planted by the waters, that spreads out its roots by the river; and will not fear the heat when it comes; but its leaves will be green and moist. And it will not be anxious and concerned in a year of drought nor stop bearing fruit.

Why is this vision in Ezekiel so important? It depicts God’s power to restore and to bring abundance. The source of living water comes from our relationship with the Holy Spirit. He refreshes and sustains us. We are never separated from His Presence if we are in Christ. The river symbolizes His transforming power. What happens when we surrender fully and allow the deep waters to take over? Can you trust His transforming power? One of the biggest things about teaching littles to swim is that they can get splashed in the face. I taught my boys to swim at an early age, but the lesson did not start in the pool. It started in the home at bath time. I would pour a cup of water over their heads or let them sit in the shower with me, so the waters would trickle over their faces. It teaches them to remain calm. His waters also bring life where there was death, healing where there were sickness and blessings where there was barrenness.

I just love water. It is what I fill my cup with first thing in the morning and drink all day long. Nothing needed to add to it to taste better. I do not need a flavor, just plain purified water. My pool is crystal clear and ready for swimming at a moment’s notice. I rent it out sometimes, so I need to be ready at all times. Is that not what the Bible tells us about sharing our faith? We are to be ready in any season (2 Timothy 4:2). How can you do that without the deepness of His love? How can you do that without His living waters, the Holy Spirit that brings all things back to remembrance? I invite you to go deeper this year. My word for this year was joy; He gives it in abundance. It comes as a fruit of the Spirit. Dive deeper with me. Get into the overflow.

Abba, our Father, our Creator, our Banner, You are Holy and Marvelous. We are so enamored with Your faithfulness. Thank You for Your Son, our Redeemer. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, our Teacher. Thank You for Your Word, our knowledge of You grows deeper as we partake of reading Your Word. You have shown us the deepness of Your love. Thank You for loving us so richly. We repent for not spending time with You each day or putting our thoughts towards You. You are more than we could ever need. We commit to spending time in Your Word. We commit to a life of surrender to grow deeper into who You called us to be, ministers of reconciliation, rivers of living water flowing through us. As we continue to pursue You, You pursue us. Let us be fully aware of all the real, personal and practical ways You lavish Your love on us. We desire the deep. We are not afraid of the overflow, overtake us. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. We choose surrender today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Identity Theft

Psalms 55:22 (AMP) Cast your burden on the Lord [release it] and He will sustain and uphold you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (slip, fall, fail).

Way back in the early 2000s Facebook was emerging. I started out with MySpace as my first social media platform. Then came Facebook, it took me a year to finally join. In those days we did not have apps on our phones. We opened up and checked our profiles on our computers. The computer I most used was my work computer. It was in my office. If I did not log out of Facebook and someone else would use my computer, I would get a fun status update left. These do pop up on my memories every once in a while. Things like “is a goober monkey,” “thinks John is hot,” or “really needs to start logging out of her Facebook.” Most of them were left by my husband.

I remember a special post hid did because he used my phone to take with him to the bathroom. I had the better phone, and he wanted to scroll as our men tend to do these days. The number of responses I got from his post thinking that it was me.

So here I am after nearly fifteen years and how does this equate to what I am going through right now. I had a moment of allowing the enemy to put a new identity on me…”not wanted.” Where did that come from? Did it come from my need to be seen as good growing up? My own father chose not to be a part of my life growing up. After my parents divorced, he did not visit or call that much. He did not even send gifts for birthdays or Christmas. This weighed heavy on me growing up and that is where the “not wanted” came from. It surfaced from a text message that someone sent out. My question was, “why could they not call me?” Why did this text come from a third party? The identity of “not wanted” started to surface. I battled with it most of the morning and I had had enough.

1 Peter 5:7-9 (AMP) Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. But resist him, be firm in your faith [against his attack—rooted, established, immovable], knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world. [You do not suffer alone.]

I am taking the groceries out of the car and talking waving my hands back and forth in a fit at the enemy. Casting my cares on God and just letting it all out. Yes, I am in the front yard. My husband calls and asks, “who are you talking to?” (He can see me on the Ring camera). I told him what I was battling and how I was handling it. He laughed and told me it was going be okay. The individual is rejecting me because of their own insecurities, and I told him I knew that, but it still hurts sometimes. I had to really allow God to do a deep work in me and had to repent even of my mindset towards this individual. I have to be careful not to assassinate their character just because of the way they are treating me. Keeping your words in check can be tough. However, I had to be reminded by the Lord that others battle this too. This was going on the same week that the SBC was voting on whether women should have the title of pastor. Guess what they call me in my church? We are not a part of the SBC, but it still was a main topic that was constantly on my news feed. I do have family that are. So, I intercede.

Acts 14:21-22 (AMP) They preached the good news to that city and made many disciples, then they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening and establishing the hearts of the disciples; encouraging them to remain firm in the faith, saying, “It is through many tribulations and hardships that we must enter the kingdom of God.”

What we put our minds on really has control over us; it can become an idol. Wanting to be someone to this person was taking over my mind. I had to release and pray. I can tell you that it did not disappear right away, but it has gone further from my mind. You can say that I am just really starting to get over it. However, you do not know how much this individual has hurt me over the years and is still involved in my life. I am standing firm on my faith. I am casting those cares to God; He actually does care about me. That is what I had to battle the “not wanted” identity with. He cares about me. Keeping my heart and mind on Him battles that identity theft that tries to come in. How about you? Do you battle identity issues? Have you believed the lie that maybe you are not loved, or that you are like me and feel like you are not what they wanted, or that you are a failure because of the mistakes that trip you up? None of them are true. That is why it is so important to read your Bibles. God also plants us in churches to build us up, especially when these lies are exposed. They need to be exposed so that real healing can come.

Why did this happen when I have come such a long way? I think it is because the enemy is looking to halt the discipleship that I have stepped into. He wants me hurt so that I cannot build up and point others to Christ. He wants me going back into dark places because there I cannot be a light. I am not ashamed of the battle. Those attacks are going to come. I would misuse His grace by living with that wrong identity. That is not who I am. I do not want to live with those thoughts, and I do not have to. What happens when they say it to my face? Recognize that it is not of God and who’s voice it really is.

1 Thessalonians 1:4 (AMP) Brothers and sisters beloved by God, we know that He has chosen you

I am chosen! I am cared for! I am wanted! I am deeply loved!

Abba Father, our Creator and our Banner, You are Marvelous and Wonderful. That You for Your Son, that put us into Your family. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, so that we can learn more about our identity. We come before You, recognizing that our true identity is found in You. Thank You for making us in Your image and us Your children.(Genesis 1:27; 1 John 3:1). Help us see ourselves as You do—loved, chosen, and precious in Your eyes. Guide us to live in the truth of our identity in Christ, free from the enemy’s lies and the burden of past mistakes. (Proverbs 4:23; 2 Corinthians 5:17). Help us see our true worth, not through the world’s standards, but through Your Word, knowing we are blessed, redeemed, and victorious by Your grace. (Ephesians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21). May we stand strong in the truth of Your love, and be empowered to walk confidently as Your children, sharing Christ’s love with others. (Romans 8:16; Ephesians 3:17-19). Help us to hear Your voice clearly and trust Your guidance, so we can live a fruitful life and fulfill the purpose You have set for us. (Philippians 3:20; Ephesians 1:9-11). May our lives be filled with Your love, and may we keep growing in understanding and embracing who we are in Christ. (1 Peter 2:9; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 1:3-5). We choose forgiveness today. We choose love today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Look for the God moments

Philippians 4:13 (AMP) I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]

There are a few verses that we see people in general overuse and use in a selfish context. Philippians 4:13, Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8:1 to name my top three over used and abused verses. Why do we do this? Have you ever asked yourself if you are looking for what God is doing or are you demanding He be where you are? There is a difference and it has to do with how we see God.

The Bible talks about a dangerous spiritual place of indifference that His body can lay hold in. We call it lukewarm, it can also be called apathy. It is when we have an “I do not care” attitude towards our relationship with God. Especially when it comes to our spiritual growth. Where does this come from? It is because we are consumed with self. Most of the times I see these verses abused is because they are used in the context of self. Do not get me wrong, the Word is for encouragement, but it is also for correction. Most importantly the Word is revealing who God is and who we are to imitate.

Ephesians 5:1-2 (AMP) Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]; and walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.

This is my prayer: God I want to be where I am supposed to be, doing what I am supposed to be doing with the people You have placed with me to do Your will.

Apathy or lukewarmness will cause us to become numb to the love and devotion that God instructs us to have. Love God. Love People. It is a numbness to our emotions and our fervor. How do we overcome? When were your thoughts last on surrender? When was the last time you submitted your heart to a searching and repentance? We are to die to ourselves daily (Matthew 16:24, 1 Corinthians 15:31, Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:6, Colossians 3:5). When you die to self you will not be able to use these verses out of selfish motives.

Isaiah 30:21 (AMP) Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left.

Let our hearts remain moldable by His Word. Out of our passionate love for Christ should flow humility, repentance, faith, obedience and thanksgiving. Fight apathy. Ask God to for you to join in what He is doing. Look for the God moments. Listen for opportunities to share about His mercy, His grace and His love. Let your sufficiency be in Christ.

Matthew 6:33 (AMP) But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

Abba Father, our Lord, our Creator, You are Marvelous and Wonderful. You are Holy, Merciful and Just. Let us stand in awe of You. Thank You for Your Son. Thank You that You sent Your Son out of Love for Your creation. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, our Teacher and our Comforter. Thank You that You still speak today. Give us ears to hear, hearts to trust and hands to act. We surrender the temptation to carry out our own plans. Help us listen for Your voice. We repent for being self-centered and misusing Your Word. You know us better than we know ourselves. Search within us Lord for any unclean motives. You know the adjustments we should make in order to do Your will and Your way. Holy Spirit, work in our lives. Create in us the image of Christ so that our character is made in Him. We want to obey Your voice and obey Your will. We choose to surrender today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Women of Joy 2026: Radiant

Psalm 34:5 (AMP) They looked to Him and were radiant; their faces will never blush in shame or confusion.

The last weekend of April I go to go to Women of Joy in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. This is now an annual thing for me and another Amanda that I met nearly eighteen years ago. We bonded over our oldest being the same age, and me being the person she trusted to watch her children when she and her husband worked. Many years ago, I was a director of a childcare center that had up to fifty-eight kids at one point. Friends can go long times without talking, but that does not mean that they are not cared for. I have a few that I call friend like that. We get together and it is like we have never been apart. This year she brought one of her work friends. What would you do if that happened? Would you be secure in who you are in Christ to be okay with being on the outside sometimes? I was able to reassure my friend that I am secure in Christ. I had a wonderful time. We stayed up late talking and even went on some shopping excursions. The best was hearing some of my favorite speakers like Lysa Terkeurst, Lisa Harper and Hosanna Wong.

Lysa Terkerust spoke on Simmering Resentments. She pointed out that we need to pay attention to these little feelings of bitterness because left unattended they can grow. A whole nation was affected because of the bitterness of ten brothers. Joseph was sold into slavery over jealousy that turned into hatred (Genesis 37). Even though the place they ended up saved them as a nation. In Exodus 1:6-11 we see that they were a gentle people, it was their potential that Pharoah feared and enslaved them. We go all the way back to the unchecked hatred that Joseph’s brothers felt. Duke University came out with a study that the number one killer in America unforgiveness. Unforgiveness is linked to heart disease and cancer in the body. Unforgiveness and bitterness is the enemy crouching at the door of our hearts. Check out what happened to Cain in Genesis 4.  “Why are you angry?” the Lord asked him. “Why is your face so dark with rage? It can be bright with joy if you will do what you should! But if you refuse to obey, watch out. Sin is waiting to attack you, longing to destroy you. But you can conquer it! (Gensis 4:6-7 TLB)” Surrender your heart to the will of God. Do not invite the enemy in and allow him to recruit you through bitterness and resentment. Our choice to forgive is linked to our will to live. Jesus becomes our healing when we choose to release it.

Susie Larson (my first time hearing her) spoke on Made for More. We cannot be more secure than we are in Christ. To know this love is to be filled with the fullness of God. We are a people that works to feed our appetites, but your soul is also hungry. God wants us to know Him and encounter Him. We do not want to feel pain or struggles, but why are we trying so hard not to. We have to feel to heal. The lies believe reveal the storms that will know you down. We have a high capacity for self-sabotage because of our fears. She told the story of three women in the Bible, you can read them in Luke 7:11-17, 2 Kings 4:8-16 and Luke 8:43-46. Make space of hope, this is where joy is found. Your pain is real, but your conclusion is wrong. The way you tell your story is what is keeping you down. Reframe your story. Pull down those strong holds and allow Jesus in.

Hosanna Wong talked about the Battles that We are Fighting. Some of us are fighters, but we end up fighting the wrong thing. The enemy of our soul wants us fighting lesser battles. She used the example of Eliab and David as found in 1 Samuel 17:28,  “Now Eliab his oldest brother heard what he said to the men; and Eliab’s anger burned against David and he said, “Why have you come down here? With whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumption (overconfidence) and the evil of your heart; for you have come down in order to see the battle.” There are four lies the enemy likes to tell us. 1) the lie that you have no value. For me this struck regarding our church, so many walked away so easily and they enemy tried to tell me that Connect was not good enough, that we have no real value. What we think about ourselves determines how we live. I think about the ones that we have made a lasting impact in and the growth I see in those that have stayed. 2) the lie that you are not doing enough. We hurt ourselves trying to prove ourselves. We are to remain faithful where He placed us. 3) someone else can define you. We give the power to others when we worry about others think of us. No one has the power to define us other than the Person who created us. 4) the lie that your past disqualified you. The list of what you did wrong may be true. The full truth is that Jesus redeemed our past. Once we put our faith in Christ we became a new creation. We may have made some mistakes in the past, but that is no longer who we are. It was a good thing that David did not stop to fight his brother at that moment, because a Goliath was standing before him. You will know what battles to fight when you spend time with God. Fight to spend time there.

Lisa Harper spoke on Radiance. If you spend time with Jesus you will stand out. Moses spent time with God and it showed all over his face (Exodus 34:29-33). Moses was fasting food and water for forty days and came back radiant from being in the presence of God. We are called to shine for Christ. We are His ambassadors. Daniel 12:2-3 (AMP) Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake (resurrect), these to everlasting life, but some to disgrace and everlasting contempt (abhorrence). Those who are [spiritually] wise will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead many to righteousness, [will shine] like the stars forever and ever. It is not based on our personality; it is based on the goodness of God. We are to exude radiance. We are called to shine.

I love me some Bible, so this was just a confirmation on what the Word says we are to live like. We are to forgive and keep watch over our hearts. The enemy wants to distract us, and he is good at it. Keep your eyes on Christ. Fight to spend time with God. We are His ambassadors, so let your face look like it. We were made for eternity and God desires us. We are secure physically, mentally and emotionally because of who Christ is within. I am looking forward to my time next year.

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Are we even looking for the harvest?

John 4:31-34 (AMP) Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Jesus [to have a meal], saying, “Rabbi (Teacher), eat.” But He told them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought Him something to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to completely finish His work.”

Our church has been in Luke chapter eight about the parable of the sower. I love reading the Word over and over again. You may have heard this preached before and them talking about those receiving the gospel. What if it is anything that has to do with the Word of God? The Word is the seed. Do we hear it just once and are done? I like what it says in Mark chapter four.

Mark 4:24-25 (AMP) Then He said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By your own standard of measurement [that is, to the extent that you study spiritual truth and apply godly wisdom] it will be measured to you [and you will be given even greater ability to respond]—and more will be given to you besides. For whoever has [a teachable heart], to him more [understanding] will be given; and whoever does not have [a yearning for truth], even what he has will be taken away from him.”

Jesus was all about us receiving the Word with all of our hearts and minds. You receive to the level that you set. What was the greatest commandment? To love God with all of our heart, soul and mind. You cannot love God unless you know God. We get to know Him through His Word (Bible). The second greatest commandment is similar, to love our neighbors as ourselves. Receive the Word, then give it. This is what the initial verse of this blog is about. Let us continue to what Jesus said to His disciples.

John 4:35-38 (AMP) Do you not say, ‘It is still four months until the harvest comes?’ Look, I say to you, raise your eyes and look at the fields and see, they are white for harvest. Already the reaper is receiving his wages and he is gathering fruit for eternal life; so that he who plants and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this case the saying is true, ‘One [person] sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap [a crop] for which you have not worked. Others have worked and you have been privileged to reap the results of their work.”

We are a people who focus on the temporal, when Christ came to change our eternity. Now this is eternal life, that we may know God and Christ, who was sent (John 17:3). What is temporary? Everything that we build up for ourselves here. The houses we live in, the jobs we have, the income and savings. How about the relationships we have that we do not allow Christ into? Everything that we have because the reason is “this is for me,” all of that is temporary. None of it will bring us to completeness.

Jesus told what would make the disciples full. The harvest. Sharing the gospel. Sharing what we have in the eternal, is the harvest. What is keeping you from sharing all that He is to you? Is it the struggle of love? For most of us, that is a struggle. We have only known love to be conditional. He truly is a well that will never run dry. I will never be thirsty for love again. I am rooted and grounded in the Love of Christ. My life is full, not by the temporary because it never can fill me. It is when I receive the fullness of Him, the fruit will show. So many of us just stand on the edge of being fruitful and bringing in the harvest. It is up to you though. Seedtime and harvest will always be. Will you join in?

Acts 20:24 (AMP) But I do not consider my life as something of value or dear to me, so that I may [with joy] finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify faithfully of the good news of God’s [precious, undeserved] grace [which makes us free of the guilt of sin and grants us eternal life].

So here is the prayer. It is simple and it is the answer to the Lord of the Harvest. Be an answer to the prayer and say yes to the greatest adventure you will ever be placed in. Be a part of the harvest!!

2 Thessalonians 3:1 (AMP) Finally, brothers and sisters, pray continually for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be honored [triumphantly celebrated and glorified], just as it was with you.

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Receive Like a Child

Mark 10:215 (AMP) I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whoever does not receive and welcome the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.

This past week I got to walk around with a soon to be two-year-old during prayer. He had a great time in exploring, as I took him to a room so his mom could intercede without having to be distracted. I prayed and walked around and he followed. We sat in chairs and I prayed. We laughed and I prayed. He was just full of joy. Then it came to me, he has no worries about what is going to happen next. He is not thinking about tomorrow. He is not even thinking about what happened yesterday. He is just in the now.

Matthew 6:33-34 (AMP) But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

My little buddy was eager just to walk and explore. Why are we trying to claim to be “adults” when He tells us to be more like children? What if maturity did not look like “adulthood” but if we are more like a child. Would that be the sign that we are really growing? I am not talking about needing only milk of the Word like babies. I am talking about being tender and responsive. The heart to be teachable and flexible and respond to correction. What if we welcomed correction? What if we humbled ourselves like children?

Hebrews 11:1 (AMP) Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].

John 17:3 (AMP)  Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true [supreme and sovereign] God, and [in the same manner know] Jesus [as the] Christ whom You have sent.

We have to accept grace for all that it is. Not just the avenue of our salvation, but as our teacher as well (Titus 2:12). Grace is the way God works in His might and power throughout our lifelong walk with Him. A heart that understands this will come to know the spirit of God’s love in Jesus Christ. That tender, teachable, touchable way to true power – to lasting, miracle-expecting, Christ-exalting power and blessing. This is what happens when we receive like a child. Keeping our hearts tender, flexible and expectant.

Father God, I come to You as someone with years of life experience, yet still so much to learn. I humbly offer myself for You to search my heart and mind. I submit to Your Body. Help me remain teachable, open to correction, and pure in heart. Guide me to focus on what You desire now, to seek Your kingdom first, and to stay mindful of You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.