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The thief wants to steal your security

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.

I have been given a lot of thought to what it means to be secure lately. Why? Within the first few days of school one of my youngest son’s friends was shot and killed catching a ride home (he was 16). It was a senseless murder and it has shaken me pretty hard. This boy was a son to so many of us in the community. He had been in my home many times. It has been years since he had been around us, but we still kept up with what he was doing. Then he was gone. My heart breaks for his mother as she could not even say goodbye, because it was instant.

So why I am focused on being secure? That is exactly what the enemy wants to steal in this moment. That was the first thing he stole in the garden. The first emotion felt outside of the will of God was fear, and not the reverential kind about His greatness.

Genesis 3:8-10 (AMP) And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool [afternoon breeze] of the day, so the man and his wife hid and kept themselves hidden from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to Adam, and said to him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard the sound of You [walking] in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.”

There is a funeral coming up, and it is going to be a big one with many in attendance. They are going to want all of his friends sitting together, all of his past team mates (including my youngest). This mama is in prayer, because although they have some suspects in custody for the murder, there is unrest. I am praying for peace and safety. I cannot make it happen, I have to be grounded in Christ. This is where being secure is found. This verse in Jeremiah is found just after, “For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope (verse 11).” How can I have peace in a world that is full of people who do not even think life is precious? Point them to the Light. The light that burns bright within me. It cannot be hidden and it cannot be snuffed out.

We are getting closer to the end, with the return of Jesus. I was reading 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul said that we have to be ready. The thief comes only to steal, kill and and destroy (John 10:10), and that is what the return of Christ will be like to those who do not receive Him.

1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 (AMP)  So then let us not sleep [in spiritual indifference] as the rest [of the world does], but let us keep wide awake [alert and cautious] and let us be sober [self-controlled, calm, and wise]. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. But since we [believers] belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope and confident assurance of salvation.

I have to put on the breastplate of faith and love. My mind is sober and clear because I am assured of my right standing with Christ. I am full and complete in Him. The thief cannot take anything from me, as I am secure in Him. I am pointing my sons to Christ, the only secure hiding place they need. We are light bearers (Matthew 5:16). Lord, let Your love grow so deep within us so that it is all that comes out of us.

John 17:15-18 (AMP)  I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but that You keep them and protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth [set them apart for Your purposes, make them holy]; Your word is truth. Just as You commissioned and sent Me into the world, I also have commissioned and sent them (believers) into the world.

Lord, Our Father, Our Creator, Our Banner, we want to honor you today. You are full of Majesty and Glory. Thank You for Your Son, to restore us into right standing with You. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, to be our Comforter and our Teacher. We choose to have a relationship with all of You. We repent for allowing the trials of this world to take away the security that Jesus redeemed us to. We keep our focus on You. You have us in this world to be a light, to shine out in the darkness. We choose to live our lives free. You are the only secure hiding place we need. Your Word is truth. We are secure in You. Let us put on the fullness of You today. We are wearing the breastplate of faith and love. We are rooted and grounded in the love of Christ. We choose to honor You with our minds, our wills and our emotions. You have given us a Kingdom that cannot be shaken. Lord, let Your love grow so deep within us so that it is all that comes out of us. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. We choose love today. We choose joy today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Road Trip

Ephesians 4:32 (AMP) Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you.

We can know all the scriptures, but if we do not put them into practice, we only have head knowledge. This is why experiences are important. My youngest son is starting back to school today. The past month I have taken him on some short trips to spend some quality time. In doing so we have met some really interesting people.

This past week my husband, myself and my youngest son took a drive through the Appalachian Mountains to do the 127 Yard Sale. We drove up to Frankfort, Kentucky and made our way down back home. We started on a Wednesday (to do some fun family things on the way up) and was home by Saturday. We spent every moment together, including many hours together on the road.

We met some really interesting people. We met a couple that retired from working for Disney. They were the coolest couple and shared of their many stories from working at Disney Land and Disney World. We got some pretty unique items from them, some to keep and some for our reselling business. We even talked to some people that transplanted from Alabama. Some people were a joy to talk with and some had hatred in them and it showed. One couple talked with ignorance and we introduced a different perspective, it was a great dialogue opportunity and we were able to share how life is how you perceive it. They could tell something was different and we shared the goodness of God. A few were deep rooted in their hatred and it was uncomfortable, and we grieved for them.

While we were gone we did see what was going on via social media. We talked about why it is important not to repeat a matter. We talked about why it is important to be informed before forming an opinion on a headline. We talked about still loving others even if you do not agree on an issue, and we should not treat anyone different because of that disagreement.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (AMP)  Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening].

Loving like this is not easy. That is why Paul prayed like he did in Ephesians 3 (see verses 14-19). God desires for us to live full lives, rooted in Him. Without the deep knowledge of that love (through experience) we cannot love completely. We cannot even love ourselves right. This love is beyond natural comprehension and that is why Paul prayed for the power for us to comprehend it. We have to grow in the understanding of that love. We are to take hold of the truth and then define our lives on it. It no longer is something we have to contemplate, that fullness is practical, it is a reality. He makes us whole.

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].

(TPT) How enduring and inclusive it is! Endless love beyond measurement that transcends our understanding – this extravagant love pouts into you until you are filled to overflowing in the fullness of God!

Jesus was full of compassion. Empathy is not a weakness and neither is compassion. “Empathy is the ability to emotionally understand what other people feel, see things from their point of view, and imagine yourself in their place. Essentially, it is putting yourself in someone else’s position and feeling what they are feeling (www.verywellmind.com).” Compassion literally means “to suffer together” (Greater Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life).

Matthew 9:36 (AMP) When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion and pity for them, because they were dispirited and distressed, like sheep without a shepherd.

We spent four days together, but we got to meet people. People matter. How can we fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) without meeting people? We learned a lot about each other and about others. We did not look out for just our own interests, but were able to be a light to those that needed encouragement. What words do people use to describe how you make them feel? Do you leave people and they feel encouraged or do they feel drained? Are you the one that is demanding all of the attention or our you willing to be the support someone really needs? Are you about letting others get the first pick?

It was a great four days. We have just a couple more years until he graduates. There are so many more lessons that we need to teach him, but compassion and empathy have been two that we have modeled since he was a toddler. It takes a lifetime to perfect it, and we are still growing in it ourselves. We are have been graced for this through the empowerment of Christ. Live life to the fullest!

Father, our Creator, our Master and our Jehovah, You are so Marvelous and full of Majesty. We desire to honor You with our words and our deeds. Thank You for Your Son, who lived and became Your Love in human form. Thank You for the Holy Spirit to be our Teacher and our Guide. Thank You for the revelation knowledge that we receive when we apply Your Word. Search every part of us and mold us. You are the potter and we want to be strong in You. Break off the pieces and reform them into Your image. We repent for making life all about us and not living in the full potential that You Love can only bring. We choose forgiveness today. We choose faith today. We choose joy today. We choose hope today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Meeting 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

About seven years ago I found myself really drawn to this part of Ephesians. Ephesians 3:16-20 began to come alive to me during a part of my life when I was going through something really difficult. I had been fired from my job, and my character had been tarnished. I was made out to look like a villain. What did I do? I went to the Word. I surrounded myself in the Word every day. I sat in the Word as much as I could. It was not about God changing their minds about me, it was about God who I am to You. I was going to be better than fine.

Ephesians 3:17 (MSG) that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite Him in. And I ask Him with both feet planted firmly on love

Ephesians 3:17 (TPT) Then, by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you, and the resting place of His love will become the very source and root of your life.

I had a faith growing moment. I had to decide if Christ really had residence. This became a moment of deeper surrender in my life. I explained it this way on Sunday. A guest gets a room and we have prepared a place for them, but we have the expectation that they stay within the boundaries that we have set, because they are our guest. A resident has the ability to move around furniture and to make our place comfortable for living to them. They have unlimited access to the home. When I asked Christ to dwell, He was not there to keep things looking the way they were when He arrived. I gave Him governing authority. It is not me making sure that everything stays clean, we reside together, so we are doing the chores of maintenance together. It is now our home. If I see something that needs to be cleaned up, in my maturity, I know what needs to be done and I do it. I am not saying I am waiting on Christ to do this in my life, He has empowered me when He took up residence in my home (my life).

Which means that I do not have to set a particular place for Him. I have a spot that I like to do my studies and read. My dog knows when I am at my spot and it is her favorite time of day. I will put my worship music on and she will come running. However, that is not the only place that I meet with God. As I am riding in the car I can be meditating on a scripture or a moment and talk to God about it. While I am at the gym I can be meditating on something and receive this amazing revelation, and cannot wait to get back to my Bible to confirm it in His Word. While I am on the walking track and I have someone catch up with me and we start talking. There is always a moment to encourage them to keep going and to point them to Jesus, the Word.

I do not have a prayer closet. I do not pray a certain way every day. I do not have an altar in my home. I can meet with Him anywhere because He has residence. I do pray (in my personal time and corporately). I do speak words of thanksgiving throughout the day. I do turn my thoughts to what the Word says on a situation. I am mindful of my own thoughts. I am mindful of others needs and not just my own. This is what it looks like when He has taken residence. I am rooted in love, which is a result of surrendering to Christ. I love that we have the ability to have the Word at our fingertips with the You Version App. Download it on your phone. You can now carry your Bible with you every where you go.

Hebrews 4:16 (AMP) 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].

There is no certain place or person I have to go through to meet with God. I can come boldly right where I am into His Presence. I do this through my faith in Christ. I do this with reverence and not with religious rituals (man made ideals). We have been given these wonderful imaginations and can create ideals on how God wants us to meet with Him. He just wants us to meet with Him. He has prepared a place for us, so that we do not have to. He wants residence so that our hearts and minds are prepared. That is my altar.

Abba, my Father, You are Marvelous and Holy. Thank You for Your Son to create a home within me. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit as our Teacher as the Word becomes more and more of a revelation of who You are. We repent for trying to create ways to meet with You when all You desire is a heart of surrender. Thank You for Your mercy and grace. Thank You for drawing near to us as we draw near to You. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Meet With Me by Ten Shekel Shirt

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Found my rest

Matthew 11:28-30 (AMP) “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light.”

In a time where it is easy to give up, do not quit. There are times that we are going to get tired and exhausted, that is why Jesus said to yoke up with Him. I use to think that He would carry all of the burden, but that is not what it means to be equally yoked and that is not us allowing the transforming work of Christ in our lives. He said to take His yoke and to learn from Him. It was in my surrender that I started to yoke up correctly.

I did a quick google search on ‘yoking two different animals together’ and the AI overview showed “Yoking two different animals together, or ‘unequally yoking’ them, can cause discomfort, pain and injury. When animals are properly yoked, they are usually the same type, height, and strength, and are attached together so they can pull together on the load. However, if the animals are different, one might be stronger, taller, or have shorter legs than the other, causing them to pull unevenly. This can lead to chafing and discomfort, and eventually animals might not be able to pull together at all. For example, if an ox and a donkey are yoked together, the ox might carry most of the load, and the donkey might refuse to move, veer to the side, or leave important seeds unplanted.” When I decide to yoke up with Christ, He is not doing all of the work and that is what makes it easier, it is because I am aligning my life with His.

Jeremiah 6:16-17 (AMP) Thus says the Lord, “Stand by the roads and look; ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is; then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’ I have set watchmen (prophets) over you, Saying, ‘Listen and pay attention to the [warning] sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen.’

My rest is not in the absence of action, it is in the obedience to Christ. When we look to anything else to satisfy us, we become hardened. Our burdens in life become too heavy and even though we may love Christ, He is not what we have yoked up to. Instead of waiting and becoming we look to satisfy the right now. It is like Esau when he sold his birthright. What made him do it? A momentary discomfort that he could not take his mind off of.

Genesis 25:29-34 (AMP) Jacob had cooked [reddish-brown lentil] stew [one day], when Esau came from the field and was famished; and Esau said to Jacob, “Please, let me have a quick swallow of that red stuff there, because I am exhausted and famished.” For that reason Esau was [also] called Edom (Red). Jacob answered, “First sell me your birthright (the rights of a firstborn).” Esau said, “Look, I am about to die [if I do not eat soon]; so of what use is this birthright to me?” Jacob said, “Swear [an oath] to me today [that you are selling it to me for this food]”; so he swore [an oath] to him, and sold him his birthright.Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and got up and went on his way. In this way Esau scorned his birthright. 

In Hebrews 12:15-17 there is a reference to this very lesson for us, “See to it that no one falls short of God’s grace; that no root of resentment springs up and causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; and [see to it] that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. For you know that later on, when he wanted [to regain title to] his inheritance of the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no opportunity for repentance [there was no way to repair what he had done, no chance to recall the choice he had made], even though he sought for it with [bitter] tears. (AMP)

There is something to these verses that should give us a wake up call to the meaning of God’s grace. A root of resentment comes from the seed of offense and/or anger, which ultimately is rooted in pride. When I yoke myself with Christ, I have given Him permission to help me break up the hardened ground so that the seed of His Word can be planted there. Being yoked up with Him is what makes the soil good for planting (Read the meaning of the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:18-23). Do not take for granted the grace of God, it is not meant for a license to do as you want, it is an empowerment to overcome. We can do that because of Christ. He did not promise a life absent of trials, He did promise us peace in the midst of them (John 14:27).

John 15:4-5 (AMP) Remain in Me, and I [will remain] in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you [bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith] unless you remain in Me. I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. 

Christ wants us to be united in Him. I encourage you to read all of John 15 if you have not had the chance, or read it again if you have. Jesus gives some rich teaching to His disciples in that chapter. My prayer has been for God to align my heart with His, I want to love how He loves so that it is all that flows out of me. Now in doing that, it does not mean that people can abuse you. Bowing down to a narcissist or someone who is always playing the victim is not love and it is not being peaceful. God said blessed are the peacemakers (those grounded in His Word) not the peace keepers (compromisers of His Word). My greatest love for others is to point them to Christ, in doing so I have to be united with Him. I am yoking up to Him. We are in this together and peace abounds there. This is how I have found my rest.

Father, our Creator and our Banner. You are Mighty and Holy. Thank you for Your Son to be our Redeemer. Thank You for the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter and Teacher. Thank You for Your Word and the revelation that You desire for us to know You more. We repent for not aligning our hearts with Yours. We repent for not abiding on the vine and allowing our hearts to be hardened by this world. We choose to yoke up with Your Son. We are choosing a life of surrender and abiding. We are choosing to forgive and not allow the seed of resentment to take root. We are thankful for Your grace so that we make be overcomers. We choose love today. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Deeper

Colossians 1:9-10 (AMP) For this reason, since the day we heard about it, we have not stopped praying for you, asking [specifically] that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [with insight into His purposes], and in understanding [of spiritual things], so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord [displaying admirable character, moral courage, and personal integrity], to [fully] please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing in the knowledge of God [with deeper faith, clearer insight and fervent love for His precepts]

My husband and I have been pastoring our church for going on twelve years this January. It has been one of joy and sometimes sorrow. Our joy is seeing the spiritual growth in others. We love it when we see people grab onto the Word of God and start growing in the revelation knowledge. We especially love it that they get in and study it for themselves.

Ephesians 1:18 (AMP) And [I pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints (God’s people)

There are many precepts in the Bible for us a believers to grab a hold of. It is up to each one of us to discover them. My job as a pastor is to equip you to do so. That means I need to point you back to the Word, the Holy Spirit and Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the one who brings the revelation knowledge, not me. I have been attending church regularly since I was sixteen years old. I have been under some amazing teaching, and took notes, even early on in my journey. The most knowledge I received has been when I got in the Word for myself. When I desired a real knowledge of who God is and not just what He could do for me. Many times we want to know what He can do for us. Paul’s prayer was that we would grow in the knowledge of God, with a deeper faith into who He is and His fervent love for us. That is the same prayer for my church.

This blog is not very long, but I hope it encourages you to depend on the Holy Spirit more. My hope is that we are not so dependent on just one person to do all of the revealing of the Word in our lives. The Bible has been made so available to us that we can now carry it along with us every where we go. It is just as simple as downloading an application with our favorite translations (I recommend reading it in more than one to get the fullness). Do not put all of the pressure to know God’s precepts on your pastor. That would be the your job with the Holy Spirit in partnership. So why do you go to church? How can you put into practice what the Holy Spirit is revealing? How can we know that we are in unity without the body? How can we be challenged for more growth? Also, it was ordained by Christ (read Ephesians).

Matthew 13:44 (AMP) The kingdom of heaven is like a [very precious] treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid again; then in his joy he goes and sells all he has and buys that field [securing the treasure for himself].

Lord, my prayer is that those reading this will have a deeper desire to know You more. Thank You for Your Son, the Word made flesh. Thank You for the Holy Spirit, our Teacher. Thank You for the revelation knowledge that comes when we open up our Bibles. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Defog the brain

Ephesians 5:25b-26 (AMP) just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify the church, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word [of God]

When we got back from Peurto Plata I did not feel right for the first few days. It was hard for me to concentrate. I was dizzy, sitting down and standing up. I felt like I was in a fog. It turns out that I was dehydrated from the humidity and not drinking very much water on the flights home. The water consumption was a choice I made due to the inability to get to a rest room. I am not one who will use it on the plane if I can help myself. There were consequences for the next few days.

A quick google search and I found out that dehydration will effect the brain. Dehydration can negatively impact the brain’s structure and function. If we do not replenish our fluid intake our energy levels can plummet and we could experience fatigue and brain fog. Then I asked the question, “what does the lack of water do to the brain?” The answer, via osha.gov: “Researchers have also found that tension, depression, and confusion scores decrease as water intake increases. In contrast, they found that low water consumption tends to lead to worse moods, as well as headaches, confusion and tiredness.”

So, let us apply this above scripture like we should our water consumption. If we wash our minds, with the water of the word, we should see a decrease of tension, depression and confusion. Being born of water and Spirit takes on a new meaning (John 3:5). We are not just talking about water baptism, He is talking about the way you think. Jesus, the Word (John 1:1), even describes Himself as the Living Water.

John 4: 10-14 (AMP) Jesus answered her, “If you knew [about] God’s gift [of eternal life], and who it is who says, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him [instead], and He would have given you living water (eternal life).” She said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with [no bucket and rope] and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and who used to drink from it himself, and his sons and his cattle also?” Jesus answered her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. But whoever drinks the water that I give him will never be thirsty again. But the water that I give him will become in him a spring of water [satisfying his thirst for God] welling up [continually flowing, bubbling within him] to eternal life.”

When He revealed this to the woman at the well, she no longer took on the identity of an outcast and a throw away person. She knew who Christ was and drank all of Him in. She even wanted to share it with all of Samaria. Renew your mind with the Word today. Do not look for substitutes that taste better and just get some of the benefits. I live the south and sweet tea is a staple here. Water is used to make tea, but it is will not give you the same benefits as pure water. We even have the sparkling water. That will not give the same benefits as pure water. After you start drinking water, you will start craving water. I should know, I carry a water with me every where. I do not leave the house without my water. Can we say that about getting in the Word? I make it a point to get to my reading spot daily. If I don’t, I have a sweet pit bull that will nudge me there. Allow the Word of God to do its complete work within you.

Hebrews 4:12 (AMP) For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Thank You, Father, for the Living Water. We are choosing today to allow the full work of the Word in our lives. Let us not just read our Word, we are choosing to allow the Word to fill us, so that freedom in Christ is grounded with us. We are rooted and grounded in the Love of Christ. That is part of the fullness that You desired for us. We choose joy today. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Emotional Healing or Emotional Leading?

James 1:2-3 (AMP) Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace].

What happens when the saints start serving their emotions and are led by them? This was my question yesterday during prayer. Then I thought about this ad that came across my social media thread. It was regarding the benefits of somatic yoga, that they would help you release pent up emotions. I do stretches because I lift weights and exercise. I believe in emotional healing. So a couple of months ago I thought I would look up a You Tube video and give it a try. I had a deep grievance in my spirit and turned it off immediately. Why? God does not need my help in my emotional healing, He just needs my surrender. I believe sometimes we need a good cry and/or a good laugh. There is both godly sorrow and the joy of the Lord. You can walk in both and at the same time. I might hit on that in another blog.

1 Peter 5:6-11 (AMP) Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time, 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.] After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace [who imparts His blessing and favor], who called you to His own eternal glory in Christ, will Himself complete, confirm, strengthen, and establish you [making you what you ought to be]. To Him be dominion (power, authority, sovereignty) forever and ever. Amen.

I have been in ministry for over two decades now. Although, I have had only one senior pastor, there have been many other leaders that I have had to submit to. I remember that I had someone tell me that I had a look that could bite a car in half. I laugh at it now, because although it hurt in the moment (and they could have used a little more grace in the correction) I did not use it as an excuse to hide. It does not matter that they may still use the same presentation and that they never saw the error in how they speak to people, it matters what I do. I have a choice in how I feel. No one can make me a feel a certain way unless I allow them to. I have a choice on how I correct after that. I have a choice to forgive.

A lot of the New Testament epistles are about our character development. I am not talking about a character in a story that we want to root for. They are talking about the change within to die to ourselves. We are still living beings and we have to make choices every moment of every day. One of the biggest choices is whether we are out for self preservation or willing to surrender to Christ. Our hearts have to be aligned with His.

2 Peter 1:5-8 (AMP) For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to, develop moral excellence, and in moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding), and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, steadfastness, and in your steadfastness, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly affection, and in your brotherly affection, [develop Christian] love [that is, learn to unselfishly seek the best for others and to do things for their benefit]. For as these qualities are yours and are increasing [in you as you grow toward spiritual maturity], they will keep you from being useless and unproductive in regard to the true knowledge and greater understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ.

What happens when our emotions become our god? We use terms like “God said” or the “the Lord told me to” quite loosely. I say that because we do not understand the reverence behind doing what God tells us to. It changes day to day, because we make different choices. I can talk to someone about something that God told them to do, and when they did not show up they tell me God told them to do something else. In reality they have been led by their emotions. However, I cannot say that to them because who I am I to question what God says. I do know His character and nature. If I was not stable in my relationship with Christ, and notice that it is their own immaturity, it could make me waiver in my faith. That is why it is so important that we have reverence in saying “God told me.” It reminded me of the prophet, Jeremiah (read Jeremiah and Lamentations). The King was wanting a favorable prophecy for the nation, other prophets would give it to him, all but Jeremiah. He was steadfast regarding the word of the Lord and it cost him physically and emotionally. We are given so many choices, what choice will you make.

Joshua 24:15 (AMP) If it is unacceptable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

In our deep need for wholeness, let us not forget that Christ paid the price for it all. It is in Him that we are rooted and grounded. There is a work that needs to be done within us. There is a character development that He wants us to go through. He wants us to imitate Him as He imitates the Father. It takes time and it takes patience. We are not going to get it right all of the time. It matters that we are growing and we appreciate the growing moments. The roots have to grow deep in Christ. Abide in Him (John 15). We are going to make it through. He cares deeply for us.

Abba, our Father and our Creator, we honor You today with our thanksgiving and praise. You are a full of Mercy and Loving Kindness. You are Holy. Thank You for Your Son to bring us back to You. Jesus redeemed us to Your Presence. Thank You for the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter and our Teacher. We are sorry for the times we have made self preservation our goal. We repent for keeping the focus on ourselves and allowing our emotions to dictate our choices. We want to abide in You. We want nothing else but You. We know that trials are a part of our growth. You are developing us, not that we were not made perfect, but that we are being renewed in our thinking. You are Holy, and you desire us to be holy. We surrender to who You are. We choose forgiveness today. We choose joy today. We choose hope today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Body Aches

Proverbs 1:7 (AMP) The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; But arrogant fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline.

How do you start your day? Do you start with thoughts of not really wanting to get up? Do you start with grabbing your phone and checking emails and social media? Do you start off with grabbing a cup of coffee? Do you start with stretches? I wish I could say that I start my day off in the Bible, but I am the one who is looking back at all of the posts that I made in my memories via Facebook. They are reminders of where I was a year, two years or even ten years ago. The good thing is that I post mostly about the Bible or my family. I never want to be separated from God nor my family. God is the priority, so that I can love my family well. I make it a point to pray over my mind to think on things that He wants me to think on, and to read to receive from His revelation knowledge.

I was in prayer over a statement my husband made on Sunday: “The church is being led back to a place of reverence. Reverence: a gesture of profound respect mingled with love, devotion,
or awe.” In a ‘me’ centered culture the church needs to be led back to Him focused. We only worship (I use that term loosely, it is more like attend) where we can be seen, where our talents can be used or we only attend when there is nothing else going on. That is not a fear of the Lord. He brought back to remembrance the above scripture. How we regard God is how we are going to revere Him.

2 Corinthians 7:1 (AMP) Therefore, since we have these [great and wonderful] promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, completing holiness [living a consecrated life—a life set apart for God’s purpose] in the fear of God.

Just before Paul reminds the Corinthians what God had revealed to Moses, “I will dwell among them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. (2 Corinthians 6:16, Leviticus 26:12).” His Presence is the promise. The promised land was provided through Christ. Maybe I am a bit radical in this, but when I do not look at attending church with a reverence of who I am ministering to, then I should be questioning why I am doing such. Just to let you know, we are ministering to Him when we serve. If I keep my focus on the people (the ones that benefit) then I am serving His created and not Him as the Creator.

Hebrews 12:26-29 (AMP) His voice shook the earth [at Mount Sinai] then, but now He has given a promise, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the [starry] heaven.” Now this [expression], “Yet once more,” indicates the removal and final transformation of all those things which can be shaken—that is, of that which has been created—so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, and offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship with reverence and awe; for our God is [indeed] a consuming fire.

This is where I want to be. I want God to be the consuming fire in my life. This is why I am constantly laying down the imaginations and arguments in my mind (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). This is why I join in with the body of Christ (Ephesians 2:22). In Ezekiel 37:26-27 is says,“I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will place them and multiply them, and will put My sanctuary in their midst forever. My dwelling place also will be with them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” His sanctuary is not just made up of me, it is with people joined together in unity (Ephesians 4:13). To realize this is to revere Him. This is a part of my fear of the Lord. To not be separated from His Presence. We grow more with those we have been placed in a body with. I stagnate our growth when I choose myself over His Kingdom. I halt the growth of the body when I hold onto an offense. I halt the growth of the body when I do not see the importance of the body.

1 Corinthians 12:12, 14, 26-27 (AMP) For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so it is with Christ. For the [human] body does not consist of one part, but of many [limbs and organs]. And if one member suffers, all the parts share the suffering; if one member is honored, all rejoice with it. Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body, and individually [you are] members of it [each with his own special purpose and function].

We stop revering the Lord when we do not think the body is a part of what He wants for us. When it becomes ‘me’ focused and ‘doing what is best for me,’ then we have lost trust for the Father. I know I am stomping on some toes, but sometimes that has to be done in order for us to wake up from the slumber the enemy has laid out for us. It takes humility to come back to where you left. Sometimes we want a fresh start, I understand that. However, what is going to keep you from falling into the same trap or pit again? Do you see a cycle in your life? Reverence is a gesture of profound respect and devotion. That means laying down my rights and my pride. Most of the times we feel hurt is just because someone held us accountable, or we did not like that growing moment. The body has to grow (not talking just about numerically) in order to mature. So do not just look for a place to attend, look for a place that will join in with your spiritual growth (a seeking of His face). Then you will desire to see growth in others. That is called making disciples. That is joining in on your part of the ministry of reconciliation. Let us reverence Him.

Father, Abba, our Creator and Banner, You are so Wonderful and Awesome. We stand in awe of Your Holiness. Thank You for Your Son, to join us together as one body and to be made saints in Your Household. Thank You for the Holy Spirit, for without Him we would not be able to have Your revelation Knowledge and to know what the fear of the Lord really means. We love Your Word and do not take it for granted. Search within us and take out any unclean thought that is within us. We repent for making it all about us and for being self serving. We repent for not revering You properly by not taking your body as precious. Christ is the head and we need to see Him as such. We need to see each other as important parts to the growth of Your Kingdom, not ours. Let us lay down the weights of discontent and offense so that we may walk in the greater purpose. We desire Your Kingdom. We desire Your Presence. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Good is a deception

James 1:22 (AMP) But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth].

We live in a time that information is coming at us from all avenues. Less than 100 years ago, we got our information from newspapers and the few channels that we on our television sets. In the past 30 years information has steadily become at a speed that we never had imagined. Now we can stream movies whenever we want. We can watch something going on across town through someone live streaming it on their device. We can even look up different peoples interpretations of the scriptures, without even knowing them as a person (1 Thessalonians 5:12).

Matthew 24:10-14 (AMP) At that time many will be offended and repelled [by their association with Me] and will fall away [from the One whom they should trust] and will betray one another [handing over believers to their persecutors] and will hate one another. Many false prophets will appear and mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, the love of most people will grow cold. But the one who endures and bears up [under suffering] to the end will be saved. This good news of the kingdom [the gospel] will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end [of the age] will come.

Colossians 2:8 (AMP) See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception [pseudo-intellectual babble], according to the tradition [and musings] of mere men, following the elementary principles of this world, rather than following [the truth—the teachings of] Christ.

The world has taken over the interpretation of the scriptures and so many have been deceived. Jesus warned that many false prophets will appear and mislead many. A prophet in this sense is not the office of the prophet, but the speaking of the word of God. Anytime we are speaking the Word (taking scriptures into conversation) we are prophesying. A false prophet twists the Word of God. By a quick google search I found that as of February of this year, TikTok users post 34 million videos per day. There is quite a bit of content out there.

Here is my point. Do not be deceived. There are many voices out there to talk you out of being doers of the Word of God, because you want to be seen as good. We can often get dragged into political causes that take our focus to a person who is not our savior. We can get so entrenched in our kids and their kids that we neglect the call to be ministers of reconciliation. We choose sports over church attendance. I was reading a book and it was talking about the different people in our churches, the author referred to them as sheep, goats and wolves (I know a little outdated but still relevant). A sheep loves their church, loves their pastor and loves the people in their church and cannot be moved from where they are getting fed, they have to be at church every time the doors are open. A goat is constantly looking for something better, they are always questioning the motives of the pastor (draws people to them to do the same) and causes agitation when they are held accountable, they will find every excuse not to be at church. A wolf is seeking out position, cannot be trusted, they will try to keep separation between you and the pastor and will devour anyone they can get alone, they are at church for only what they can gain.

Every one of us wants to be seen as good (Isaiah 5:20). How about obedient to the Word of God? According to Jesus in the book of Matthew, “at that time many will be offended and repelled [by their association with Me] and will fall away [from the One whom they should trust] and will betray one another [handing over believers to their persecutors] and will hate one another.” I believe we are in the times of this. Right now I am in a time of separation, but it is due to standing on the Word. I am not going to compromise what Jesus redeemed me from so that I can be accepted. To do so would be a deception.

Love is not agreeing. Love is wanting the best for people, and He is Jesus. I do not try to indoctrinate, that would be wrong. I really try to do what James 1:22 says, to be a doer of the Word and not just a hearer. The next couple of verses say, “For if anyone only listens to the word without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he immediately forgets what he looked like.” I am a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), a part of a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), rooted and grounded in the love of Christ (Ephesians 3:17), created for good works (Ephesians 2:10), placed in a body (Ephesians 2:21) with Christ as our cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). I am a minister of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18) and an ambassador of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). Which means I cannot compromise this Word or twist it to make things fit that do not belong.

I know it may seem extreme, but radical obedience to the Word is where I want to be. As for as relationships with people, they do not have to accept me, as long as I am accepted by my Jesus. I have a family and I love them, but they are not my salvation. They are not where I get my identity. They should not determine how my emotions are. No one should. So get in the Bible and study it for yourself. Get in a powerful church (with people that are growing in Christ) and submit to grounded pastor (Titus 2:15). Do not be swayed by all the information that is coming at you. Do not be deceived. Stay the course and peace will abound in you (John 14:27).

A simple prayer: Father, help me today to be a doer of your word, and not just a hearer. Help me be obedient, even when it is hard. I do not want to be seen as just good, but as faithful to you. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Acts 20:26-27 (NLT) I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault, for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know.

Acts 20:27 (AMP) For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose and plan of God.

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Soul Prospers

3 John 1:2 (AMP) 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].

This is not a blog on if you live right you will not get sick. This is a blog on why it is important that our soul prospers. What makes up the soul? It is our mind, our will and our emotions. Your mind, and the words that come out of your mouth, will determine your acceptance of the Word of God being active in your life.

Romans 11:36,12:1-2 (AMP) For from Him [all things originate] and through Him [all things live and exist] and to Him are all things [directed]. To Him be glory and honor forever! Amen. 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. And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].

How can we expect to live a healed life if we neglect the need for inner healing. The renewing of my mind is to change my focus on His values and His attitude. Bitterness can grow in us until it turns into resentment and anger. The seed of it starts off with an offense. Do I get hurt? Yes. Do I get hurt by the body of Christ (the people in my church)? Double dose of yes. However, I cannot rehearse it. I even make it a point to delete the text or block the thread so that I cannot rehearse it. Rehearsing a hurt is renewing your mind to go further into the darkness. Why do I choose to let it go and renew my mind? Read Romans 11:36, if I do not honor God and desire to bring Him glory I will continue to live for myself and my mind, will and emotions will be led in that direction. Who am I really hurting by holding onto a grudge? Are you angry with those you are suppose to do life with? Are you angry with God? Bitterness is not the answer.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (AMP) If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love [for others growing out of God’s love for me], then I have become only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal [just an annoying distraction]. And if I have the gift of prophecy [and speak a new message from God to the people], and understand all mysteries, and [possess] all knowledge; and if I have all [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love [reaching out to others], I am nothing. If I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it does me no good at all.

Love is a choice, just like forgiveness is a choice. Our mindset matters to God. Do you know the definition of being double minded (James 1:7-8)? By your actions not matching your words and thoughts. We become unstable in our minds and think the worst of others. How can I change this? The answer is in the above verses. It is through the acceptance of the love God has for you. You will want to live a holy life that glorifies Him. It starts in the decisions we make in our mind. This is why we are told to not take an account of a suffered wrong (1 Corinthians 13:5). People are gonna do people things, even those that are Christians. They have not reached perfection yet, so stop expecting them to be perfect. I care about your soul, as a pastor does (Hebrews 13:17). Sharpening the sword of the spirit (reminding ourselves of the Word of God) brings inner healing.

Your soul is made up of your mind, will and emotions. Your thought life is the gateway to your soul. No matter what comes our way we can choose to live our lives in His love. Rooted and grounded in His love for us is so powerful. I can release the hurt, even when it was done on purpose. I can forgive, even when they do not deserve it nor ask for it. I do not have to rehearse the wrong even when they succeeded in that moment. My real success is that I kept my focus. The renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes].

Father, our Creator, and Most Marvelous Lord, we want to honor You with our lives today. Thank You for Your Son, that we are redeemed from the old ways of living, separated from You. Thank You for the Holy Spirit so that we can renew our minds daily. We repent for rehearsing anything other than Your words and precepts. We repent for making it all about us. We choose to forgive others of the wrongs they have done, for being self seeking themselves and especially forgiving ourselves for being led by our emotions. Help us to lead our feelings. Help us to focus on Your values and change our attitudes to glorify You. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. We choose faith today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.