Posted on

Second Quarter of 2025 Reads

Colossians 1:9-11 (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]; [we pray that you may be] strengthened and invigorated with all power, according to His glorious might, to attain every kind of endurance and patience with joy

The momentum for reading books slowed this quarter (April through June), I have been spending time with people. I have not forsaken getting in the Word. I read Esther through Isaiah, completed my verse-by-verse study of Ephesians (also completing Ephesians Study, Head Held High by Lori Wilhite) and have gotten to chapter three of the book of Galatians doing the same. During this time of studying, I have taken four trips, which is why my book reading was limited to twelve this quarter. Two of the twelve I have ready before and I will tell you why I picked them up again later on, I will also pick just a couple for you to learn about. Here are my books:

  • Get Over It by Kate McVeigh
  • Humility by Andrew Murray
  • The Spirit of Might: A Revelation of Man’s Ability in Christ by Jerry Savelle
  • The Five Levels of Leadership by John C. Maxwell
  • Univited by Lysa TerKeurst
  • The Untapped Power in Praise by Kenneth Hagin, Jr.
  • Mended: Pieces of Life Made Whole by Angie Smith
  • Radiant by Priscilla Shirer
  • Looking for Lovely by Annie F. Downs
  • The Courage to Change by Joyce Meyer
  • She is Free by Andi Andrew
  • X: Multiply Your God-Given Potential by John Bevere

She is Free: Learning the Truth About the Lies that Hold You Captive by Andi Andrew was one of my favorites this quarter. Over the past six years I have been going on a journey in freedom and a lot of what she says is spot on. The chapter titled “Chaos and Real Love” was one that hit home for me. “We have to take responsibility for our own hearts. We’ve got to stop expecting someone to fix them for us.” “Allow Him to search your heart. Be intentional about it and allow Him to lead you in a way that brings real healing and wholeness.” Andi had a hard time with forgiveness with those that were supposed to love her. Healing comes through God only. Get in His Word daily, pray and worship. Put God in the right place in your life. Other Chapter titles were: “Freedom from Unforgiveness, Freedom from Anger, Freedom from Shame, Freedom from Control and Freedom from Isolation.” The lie she writes about, “Isolation from honest and vulnerable relationships will keep me safe from rejection, betrayal, and pain.” I am a woman in ministry, co pastoring with my husband, I had believed that lie before. I had kept people at a distance because I had felt the sting of rejection. Here is what we are doing; by isolating ourselves we are attempting to stop potential rejection when in reality we are simultaneously rejecting the love of God. We are rejecting the possibility of thriving in community, friendships and relationships that are a part of our purpose. Isolation will breed an orphan mentality and here are some characteristics she lists: a sense of being self-defective, lack of identity, self-defense, lack of trust and/ or a sense of deep injustice. The truth that God wants me to know is that I am a daughter, deeply connected to the heart of the Father and my connection to those in a loving community brings healing. There is so much more to this book. It is definitely one that I would recommend.

If you are looking for a quick read, I recommend checking out The Spirit of Might: A Revelation of Man’s Ability in Christ by Jerry Savelle. A quick seventy-seven pages and it was very impactful. Many times, we ask God for wisdom and then try to go out and do it in our own power. This book helps you put your focus on where our power comes. Christ dwelled with the Father, and we need to as well. First thing is do not entertain those negative voices in your head. Secondly, saying God can do it and believing that He wants to are two different things. God wants us to prosper (and that is not just talking about money). Ephesians 6:10 (AMP) “In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might.” Jesus not only had wisdom but the might to back it up, and that was given to Him by the Father. We have that too. God is able and willing, believe it!

The two books I pick up again were X: Multiply Your God-Given Potential by John Bevere and Univited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out and Lonely by Lysa Terkeurst. Two of my all-time favorite authors and they have put out lots of good books. Why do I read these again. First, I believe that stewardship is an important part of being a member of the body of Christ. I glorify God when I build up His body because of His great love for us. We are His temple, and that means I am one part, but what I bring is unique and I cannot keep it to myself. John Bevere challenges you to grow past yourself. Second, loving well comes from being loved and accepting His love. I cannot love others if I am not living loved myself. I first picked up this book by Lysa Terkeurst over six years ago when I had an opportunity to hide in hurt, shame and embarrassment. I chose to hide myself in His Word and allow the broken things in my life to become exposed. I did not want to live with a shell of who I could be any longer. I found freedom in the Word and reading this book. This is one that I have bought for many in hopes they will find love in the only place that is truly fulfilling and empowering. I fell in love with Ephesians 3:16-19 and have held those verses close ever since then. I am rooted and grounded in the love of Christ, and I get to discover just how big that is by living the life He wants for me to live.

I hope this encourages you to read. Most importantly, read your Bible. Reading through the Psalms this time, the words ‘His lovingkindness endures forever’ over and over really drove deep that God is love (1 John 4:8). When He created us in His image, we were created in love. We lost that and sin clothed us in fear. We are clothed in the garment of love (Colossians 3:14) again because of the love of Christ. How amazing His Word is. Do not go a day without reading it. Allow the Word to challenge you and grow you. The Word will bring strength to your soul. Have a blessed week!

Posted on

Garment of Love

2 Peter 1:3 (AMP) For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, through true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

Last week I celebrated my forty fifth birthday. This week I am celebrating twenty-five years of marriage with my husband. In all my years of life I have never felt more loved. It was not because of those that told me happy birthday and celebrated me. It is not because my husband spoils me with extravagant gifts. It is the security of who I am in Christ. It has been a journey to get here. I have more growing to do but I have a new outlook on what it means to grow glory to glory.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (AMP) And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit.

In the garden, at the beginning, Adam and Eve were clothed with the glory of God. It was when the glory was gone that they realized they were naked. Did He remove His glory? No, they took it off. My husband and I have been talking about the garment of love for some months now. Our base scripture came from Colossians 3:12-14. In the Message translation it says, “And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.” What garment were they wearing, the Love garment. What happened when they took it off? They were clothed with pride and fear and shame came in; they hid. God asked them, who told you that you were naked? Pride did.

Pride tells us that we are too broken. Pride tells us that we should isolate ourselves. Pride tells us they we are protecting ourselves with the criticism before they judge us. Pride tells us we to defend how we are. Pride tells us that others just have to accept this is how I am. Love does not need to defend. Love does not take an account of wrongs. Love always expects the best of others. Love does not get jealous because someone else is getting attention. Love celebrates other’s successes. Love lays down their life for a friend.

1 John 4:8 (AMP) The one who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love. [He is the originator of love, and it is an enduring attribute of His nature.]

When Moses asked to see the glory of God, God responded that all of His goodness would pass before Him (Exodus 33:18-20). All of His lovingkindness would pass before Him. In the book of Psalms David writes, “Your lovingkindness endures forever,” over and over again (26 times just in Psalms 136). It was the reminder he put before himself and meditated on when he was in the good times and the bad. God is love. The garment of Love what he has laid out for me, so I need to put it on. My dynamic fulfilling life is all because of His great love. Otherwise, the garment of pride would be inviting, and self-pity, fear, shame and guilt will start to be my armor instead of the armor of God. His armor has all of His strength backing it. He is strong so that I can be strong. Stand fully clothed! Be rooted and grounded in His love, immoveable and powerful. Put on the garment of Love.

Father, Adonai, our Banner, You are so Wonderful and Marvelous. Thank You for Your Son, You Loved us so much that You sent Your only Son to die for us. Thank You for the resurrection power that raised Him from the dead for dwelling in us through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has because our dearest friend. He reveals the Love of Your Son and You to us daily. Thank You that Your lovingkindness and mercy are new every morning. It is like You have set out fresh clothes for us to wear every day. We repent for choosing other garments to wear that have brought shame and fear into our lives. This is not what You wanted for us. You desire the best for us. You desire for us to live in the fullness of who You are. When we stand fully loved, Your glory cannot help but to be shown everywhere we go. We choose to forgive ourselves and others today. We choose love today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. In Jesus Name, Amen.