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Believe

Luke 4:21 (AMP) He began speaking to them: “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing and in your presence.”

We are in the Christmas season. I did not teach my children about Santa. I focused on the story of Christmas as centered on Christ. My oldest son has a vivid imagination. We had a guest speaker come into the church, when Ari (our son) was about seven, and that guest speaker got a new name. The speaker had black hair, a mustache and wore fitted suits. My son was convinced that man was Tony Stark, the Iron Man. We have referred to him as Tony Stark since then. I did not want my kids to question God being real to them, although God chooses to make Himself real to all of us. I never wanted to be that stumbling block.

As I was reading Luke 4 this morning I had a thought about belief. Jesus went to His hometown and read from the scroll of Isaiah.

Isaiah 61:1,2 (AMP) The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and commissioned me to bring good news to the humble and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up [the wounds of] the brokenhearted, to proclaim release [from confinement and condemnation] to the [physical and spiritual] captives and freedom to prisoners, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord

He stopped in the middle of the second verse, rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and proclaimed, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing and in your presence.” First let’s dig into what the favorable year of the Lord is and back track the rest of the scripture from there. The favorable year of the Lord is also known the year of the redeemed, or if you like to be traditional, The Year of Jubilee.

Described in the book of Leviticus. A “Year of Jubilee” is a special year occurring every 50 years in the Jewish tradition, as described in the Bible, where slaves are freed, debts are forgiven, and land is returned to its original owners, signifying a time of liberation and renewal; it is considered a time of sacred rest and a reminder of God’s mercy and providence (source Google AI). Jesus said He fulfilled it. Did they believe Him? Absolutely not. It actually made them upset to hear this proclamation. Their intent was to throw Him off of a cliff because of those words. We know that did not happen.

My question is, what do you believe? Jesus said that He was sent to bind up our wounds, to proclaim release from captivity, to set the captives free, and that it is the year of the redeemed. When is it? Now! Are we living that way? Or have we taken the bait of unbelief and are awaiting for something else, still looking forward to the Year of Jubilee. Are we still looking for the new year for something to change in our lives. Is 2025 going to be my year? It is already my year. It is already the year of the redeemed. If you are made new in Christ, everything that Jesus accomplished through His life, death and resurrection is available to you right now. Jesus even gifted us with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

Joyce Meyer wrote “God anointed Jesus to bring the good news and to set the captives free, and it’s important to receive the freedom He has provided for us. A battle takes place in our mind when we choose freedom instead of remaining in bondage. The devil puts thoughts in our mind, thoughts that disagree with God’s promise of healing, but we can choose to cast down those thoughts and imaginations and believe God’s Word. We will choose to listen to one voice or another, and our deliverance depends on that choice. If we listen to Jesus and believe Him, deliverance is not only possible, but it will become a reality in our life. Jesus came to open prison doors and set the captives free. You and I can be set completely free as we choose to trust God and obey Him.” (from an excerpt of The Battlefield of the Mind Bible)

Lord, Abba Father, El Shaddai, You are so Wonderful. Thank You for sending Your Son to be the anointed One. Through that anointing we have been set free. Forgive us for our unbelief and for not allowing the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to bring us to the fullness that You desire. We repent for listening to any voice that makes us feel shame. You have set us free from the power of shame and feeling inferior through Your Son. We desire to walk in the fullness of everything Christ restored to us. Now is the favorable year of the Lord. We are the redeemed. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. We choose love today. We choose joy today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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No matter what, rejoice!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (AMP)  Rejoice always and delight in your faith; be unceasing and persistent in prayer; in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

I have chosen to read a letter of Paul’s over and over each week. The first one was the letter to the Philippians. A reminder to be joyful at all times. The second week was the letter to the Colossians. A reminder to focus on Jesus no matter what. This week I am in 1 Thessalonians. A letter to a group that would have every excuse to run, but are encouraged to stand firm. He ends the first letter with the encouragement to rejoice and remain thankful to our God. No matter what is going on, can you still thank God?

What do you do when things do not looks so good? As a pastor, when attendance is at an all time low? How about when half the church just stops giving, and/or given up on the tithe? We do not receive a salary, so it is not like any of that matters as to why we are showing up and serving every week. Are we still proclaiming the Gospel? Can they find Jesus in every message? Are we growing in our spiritual maturity as a body? Those are the questions that I choose to focus on.

Philippians 4:4 (AMP) Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice!

Ephesians 6:18 (AMP) With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people.

Galatians 6:9-10 (AMP) Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in. So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers).

Here is what I am choosing to do, I am not going to quit and I am not going to run. I am persevering, because there is an enemy out there looking for those he can devour. I am battling this spirit of oppression that has infiltrated the body of Christ and I am calling them back to the joy of the Lord. The enemy has lied to them long enough. Joy is their’s. It is a promise of His great love. The devil wants us to quit on the precepts of God. He wants us to believe that God picks and chooses who He will bless. So many have lost heart and are just going through the motions. That is not how we should be living. What can shake the body of Christ from this bondage of lethargy and apathy?

Ephesians 3: 16-19 (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]; 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].

I want you to know the fullness of God. I want you to know that He sees every struggle. Is Jesus more than enough? That is the biggest question we should ask ourselves. If so, rejoice! I pray you are filled with the love of Christ, that you can rejoice again. In Him is fullness of joy! Even if it is a sacrifice right now, especially if it is a sacrifice right now. Do you want your freedom? Go get it! Jesus has already paid the price for it, now receive it with your whole heart.

Hebrews 13:15 (AMP) Through Him, therefore, let us at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name.

Abba, our Father, our Creator, we are so thankful for being the God who covers us with a Banner of Love. Thank You for sending Your Son, so that we know the fullness of Your love. Thank You for sending us the Holy Spirit, so that we may be filled at all times. Thank You for the revelation of You through the written Word, as inspired by the Holy Spirit. We repent for becoming lethargic, for the apathy of our hearts, and for going back into slumber when you have called us into Your glorious Light. We surrender our hearts, minds, will and emotions to You. We desire to do all that you have commanded with joy. First, to love You will all of our hearts, with all of our soul and with all of our mind. Second, we will love our neighbor as we love ourselves, in the fullness of love that we received through Your Son. We choose to forgive what we beliefs, unwarranted expectations, on thoughts of how You should treat us. You have never mistreated us and we are repent for ever feeling this way. We are rejoicing in Your mercy and lovingkindness. We are choosing love today. We are choosing hope today. We are choosing joy today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Jesus help me find it

Philippians 1:21 (AMP)  For to me, to live is Christ [He is my source of joy, my reason to live] and to die is gain [for I will be with Him in eternity].

What are we living for? Paul had his answer. He wrote about it over and over again. Many times we like to quote the old prophets (the laments of Jeremiah and Elijah). I like Paul. He had the answer, “to live is Christ.” Who are we lining up our thoughts with, the before Christ people, or the life with Christ people? Paul talks a lot of the joy of Christ, while he was in prison. Have you lost your joy? Well Jesus will help you find it.

I have decided, that for the rest of the month of October, that I am going to read all four chapters of Philippians daily. I have posted on my personal page about it, and have invited others to join me. Why Philippians? I see the lack of joy in your eyes. I see the lack of care, an apathy, for the body of Christ. You have been satisfied with the salvation message, but have not received the fullness of who Christ is. It is time to live in Christ. Philippians shows us how to do that.

What are we focusing on? Is it the economy? Is it the raise in our utility bills? Could your marriage be in trouble? How about wanting to buy a house, but you think you are stuck renting? May I ask you, who is Christ in your life right now? With Christ in our lives, those problems become less worrisome. The solution to the problem has been here all along. Actually, I have found that the solution showed itself before I knew there would be an issue. Christ is my source.

Philippians 4:11-12 (AMP) Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances. I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need.

What is the secret of facing life? It sounds like Paul has not a care in the world. He sounds pretty secure. It sounds like something we could all use some of. Verse 13 is often misquoted. Put into context Paul is not talking about an independent life. I believe you cannot have verse 13 without verse 14: “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.] Nevertheless, it was right of you to share [with me] in my difficulties.“

I am fully sufficient because of Christ. However, it is not just me and Jesus out here. He planted me in a body of believers (Ephesians 2:19-22). Paul is writing to a group of people and saying that he has great joy this life with Christ, and Christ added to that joy with the people that joined him in spreading the gospel.

All my prices have gone up too. I even have the expense of a high-schooler playing two sports, in a 7A school. There is something I cannot give up on, and that is who Christ is. I have to choose to live in Christ daily. I have to choose to love His body daily. When I start loving myself above everything else, even Christ, then I lose my joy. The fruits of the Spirit grow in us more when we understand the position of love that Christ has for us. That is why Paul says, “to live is Christ.”

I am going to take the first few verses of Philippians 1 and pray this over you today:

Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in every remembrance of you, always offering every prayer of mine with joy [and with specific requests] for all of you, [thanking God] for your participation and partnership [both your comforting fellowship and gracious contributions] in [advancing] the good news [regarding salvation] from the first day [you heard it] until now. I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return]. It is right for me to feel this way about you, because [you have me in your heart as] I have you in my heart…. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus [whose great love fills me]. And this I pray, that your love may abound more and more [displaying itself in greater depth] in real knowledge and in practical insight, so that you may learn to recognize and treasure what is excellent [identifying the best, and distinguishing moral differences], and that you may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ [actually living lives that lead others away from sin]; filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God [so that His glory may be both revealed and recognized].

Has joy been missing from your life? Make Christ your life and He will help you find it.

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Are you willing?

Isaiah 30:15 (AMP) For the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel has said this, “In returning [to Me] and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and confident trust is your strength.” But you were not willing

Are you willing? That is always the question. Every time I have said ‘yes’ to God He has brought me to a place I would never have imagined for myself. In a world that tells us to “just do you,” can we find the true meaning of rest? Rest is a position, not an action. Did you see where the rest was found in the above verse? It says to return to Him. This is my position of rest, it is found in Him. Secondly, quietness and confident trust will be found and become my strength.

Isaiah 32:17 (AMP) And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness will be quietness and confident trust forever.

Thirteen years ago I made a decision to receive this confident trust. I remember where I was. I remember that conversation and the outpouring of His love. Prior, I had allowed fear to be the reason that I could not speak. I was a student of the Word, and will never not be. There was a moment that I told God that I was giving it up to Him. I was going to position myself in His trust. Confidence began to arise. When I get anxious, as I have done at a solo speaking event, I realized that I am more focused on people. I can know all the right words, but I stand outside of righteousness. So let us define righteousness because it has a lot to do with our rest, peace and confidence.

Romans 1:17 (AMP) For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed in a way that awakens more faith]. As it is written and forever remains written, “The just and upright shall live by faith.”

Romans 3:22 (AMP) This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son]. There is no distinction

Why are we still looking for a promised land, as believers? All through the Word it points to Jesus. It comes down to a faith issue. My rest is a faith issue. My righteousness is a faith issue. My confidence is a faith issue. My confident trust is a faith issue. Faith is rooted in love. When I know my position then all of these areas that I have striven for become satisfied.

1 John 5:3 (AMP) For the [true] love of God is this: that we habitually keep His commandments and remain focused on His precepts. And His commandments and His precepts are not difficult [to obey].

Are you willing to say ‘yes’ to all that Jesus has to offer you? Are you willing to put your trust in God and not in your own understanding? Are you willing to lay down what you believe to be your limitations and settle into His rest? Are you willing?

Hebrews 3:19 (AMP) So we see that they were not able to enter [into His rest—the promised land] because of unbelief and an unwillingness to trust in God.

Lord, I am willing!! I put my trust in You!

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Storm Prep

Luke 6:46-49 (AMP) “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not practice what I tell you? Everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words and obeys them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a [far-sighted, practical, and sensible] man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and yet could not shake it, because it had been securely built and founded on the rock. But the one who has [merely] heard and has not practiced [what I say], is like a [foolish] man who built a house on the ground without any foundation, and the torrent burst against it; and it immediately collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.”

September is in the middle of hurricane season for our area. This year we have had two form in a small body known as the Gulf Coast. We are in storm alert here in the southeast (I live in central Alabama). So what are we seeing, questions about storm shelters. Many homes in the mid west have them built on their properties because they live in what is known as “tornado alley.” A few years ago we had a tornado go through one of our rural towns, Beauregard, and cause significant damage with casualties. The President of our United States even flew down to survey the damage. Storm shelters have become a big question, especially for those from that area (which is just 15 minutes from my own home).

Storms are going to come. How do I prepare? Last night I had my boys take down everything from the pool area, so that we would not get furniture blown in and cause damage. This summer I had a company come in and cut large limbs away from hanging over my house. My home is on a sure foundation of prayer and faith. My youngest and I get up and start the morning with prayer and devotion before he goes off to school. My husband prays as he drives on the road at four in the morning, on his way to work. Fear is not a part of the preparation plan.

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.

I was given this visual in prayer yesterday about preparing for the storm. Limbs bend when they produce an abundance of fruit. Can they withstand it? Preparation comes in the storm. If the branches cannot hold up to a storm, then how are they going to hold up to the fruit producing on them? Which one weighs more? We cannot fear the storm, but we can prepare for it. How?

John 15: 4-8 (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. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken off] branch, and withers and dies; and they gather such branches and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in Me and My words remain in you [that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart], ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified and honored by this, when you bear much fruit, and prove yourselves to be My [true] disciples. 

John 14:27 (AMP) Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]

I was looking up the strongest trees in the world and it said that the olive tree is the most resilient. There are some in existence from thousands of years. Their root system holds up. What are you rooted in? I am rooted and grounded in the love of Christ (Ephesians 3:17-19). His roots run deep and they are secure. When we are abiding in Him and rooted in Him we have built that house on the rock and cannot be shaken, because the storms will come. Have great courage and prepare for the storm. Do not let fear be a part of your preparation plan.

Here is Psalms 91. Make it personal as I have: The Brogdon family (put your own family name in) dwells in the shelter of the Most High will remain secure and rest in the shadow of the Almighty [whose power no enemy can withstand]. They will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom we trust [with great confidence, and on whom we rely]!” For He will save the Brogdon’s from the trap of the fowler, and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover us and completely protect us with His pinions, and under His wings we will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and a wall. The Brogdon’s will not be afraid of the terror of night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction (sudden death) that lays waste at noon. A thousand may fall at our side and ten thousand at our right hand, but danger will not come near us. We will only [be a spectator as we] look on with our eyes and witness the [divine] repayment of the wicked [as we watch safely from the shelter of the Most High]. Because the Brogdon’s have made the Lord, [who is] our refuge, even the Most High, our dwelling place, no evil will befall us, nor will any plague come near our home. For He will command His angels in regard to us, to protect and defend and guard us in all our ways [of obedience and service]. They will lift us up in their hands, so that we do not [even] strike our feet against a stone. The Brogdon’s will tread upon the lion and cobra; the young lion and the serpent we will trample underfoot. “Because they set their love on Me, therefore I will save them;
I will set them [securely] on high, because they know My name [they confidently trust and rely on Me, knowing I will never abandon them, no, never]. “They will call upon Me, and I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble; I will rescue them and honor them. “With a long life I will satisfy them and I will let them see My salvation.”

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Assaults to Rest

Colossians 3:23-24 (AMP) Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.

First, excellence is your best effort, it is not the requirement of perfection (which is performance driven). When life becomes performance driven we can lose passion. We we get focused on the task and not on Jesus, we can because burned out (lost our position of rest). We are not getting the outcome we expected and, therefore, lose focus of the One our hearts desire was to be in the first place. When we come into our houses of worship, when we cook breakfast for our families, when we fold their laundry, when we read our devotions and get into His Word, when we are on our jobs…whatever we do. Do it for the Lord. Is He Lord of our lives? Is He what we fit in when we can or a second thought after we got ourselves into a situation and need Him to get you out? Whatever we do put Him first place in our life.

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.”

Secondly, influences other than Jesus. Proverbs 14:25 says, “A truthful witness saves lives, but he who speaks lies is treacherous (AMP).” Pride and self preservation will not result in rest. I was ministered to a few weeks ago and she said directly to me, “there are those who do not want you free, because it is for their benefit for you to stayed bound.” How can that be? Then I saw it happen in someone else’s life and I got it. Freedom is an assault to those who do not like the message of change and surrender. When I got my freedom, I desired others to be free. Part of that freedom is knowing that I do not need to receive love from anyone other than Jesus. When I am directing someone to Jesus and not to the codependent person that has an insecurity issue, it is an assault to them. Not knowing that they are bound themselves, they will fight for their way of life. How do I confront this? Sometimes its a stronghold and the battle is done in prayer. Pray for their freedom. Pray for their minds to be aligned with the Word. Pray for the bonds of insecurity to be loosed in their lives. Then set yourself a boundary. Boundaries are not just for cutting off, it is just saying I am not going to go there with you.

Rest is not the absence of action, it is the position of my heart. If I am worried about making sure those around me are for me, then I have lost focused. It is all about me and not about Him. My husband posted this, “When I become me focused, you become my enemy.” Why are we fighting for self preservation? Surrender is the key to rest. We take His yoke we are submitting to learning from Him. He says that we are to be of humble of heart. Does that sound like preserving ourselves?

2 Corinthians 5:15 (AMP)  and He died for all, so that all those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and was raised for their sake.

Today’s verse of the day on YouVersion sums up my daily prayer. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right and steadfast spirit within me (Psalms 51:10).” So here are two things to look for if we have received an assault to the rest we are to walk in. First, is He your focus during the task. We can be so busy doing good things that we lose focus on Him. Secondly, am I allowing the right influences. Do I feel more drawn to the Father or they drawing me to what they want? Remember, a truthful witness will bring life to us. If I am more worried about their insecurities, or my insecurities, then my influence is off. Boundaries have to be put in place and prayers go in for strongholds to be broken. If not, we will lose rest resulting depression, loss of joy, no peace, etc.

My prayer for you and myself is that we draw our focus to Christ. He is the perfecter and finisher of our faith. In Him we find our identity. Repent for the self preservation. Come to a life of surrender. It is going be better than we could have ever imagined or dreamed of (Ephesians 3:20).

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Without a Doubt

Matthew 7:7-8 (AMP) Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives, and he who keeps on seeking finds, and to him who keeps on knocking, it will be opened.

My husband and I have been in a series called Relational Maintenance for the past year it seems. We minister together, not that I asked to, it is because with topics like this I would bring something to add. This Sunday I added a perspective of Job and how the vocabulary of our minds will influence our expectations. Job was a righteous man. “Consider my servant Job,” is what we are reminded of as to why he was chosen for this test. Another comes to mind, “For the thing which I greatly fear comes upon me, and that of which I am afraid has come upon me (Job 3:25).” What had Job feared? We can see that in Job 1:5, “When the days of their feasting were over, Job would send [for them] and consecrate them, rising early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Job did this at all [such] times.”

Psalms 111:10 (AMP) The [reverent] fear of the Lord is the beginning (the prerequisite, the absolute essential, the alphabet) of wisdom; a good understanding and a teachable heart are possessed by all those who do the will of the Lord; His praise endures forever.

What are you seeking God for? What is your expectation when you come into the community of your church? I have been praying Colossians 1: 9-10 over my church: “I do not cease to pray for Connect Church and to ask that they may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that they may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, pleasing to all, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God (MEV).” This is the same prayer I have for my children. I want them to have health, a family of their own and a happy life, but none of that compares to their relationship with Christ. Wisdom is far more precious than any wordly experience they can have. Why grasp for anything that is not centered on Christ? Wisdom is not just smarts or head knowledge. Christ was full of compassion, mercy and loving kindness and was known for His wisdom. They even called Him great teacher.

Philippians 2:5-11 (AMP) Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility], who, although He existed in the form and unchanging essence of God [as One with Him, possessing the fullness of all the divine attributes—the entire nature of deity], did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped or asserted [as if He did not already possess it, or was afraid of losing it]; but emptied Himself [without renouncing or diminishing His deity, but only temporarily giving up the outward expression of divine equality and His rightful dignity] by assuming the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men [He became completely human but was without sin, being fully God and fully man]. After He was found in [terms of His] outward appearance as a man [for a divinely-appointed time], He humbled Himself [still further] by becoming obedient [to the Father] to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also [because He obeyed and so completely humbled Himself], God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow [in submission], of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess and openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord (sovereign God), to the glory of God the Father.

Job made it all about his kids. We can do the same. We can go to the Father and make it all about what we would like for our lives to be like. Jesus did not model this. So why are we modeling that in our churches and in our families? We should be known for our generosity to the world. We have in an inheritance through Christ and we should be grateful and full of gratitude. Solomon was given the task of ruling all of Israel. Solomon prayed for wisdom (1 Kings 3), this pleased God because he did not ask for a long life, wealth or to conquer over his enemies. God heard his prayer giving him wisdom, but also wealth and honor. Kind of like what Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:33, “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.” God’s character did not change, our empowerment did with the Holy Spirit.

James 1:5-6 (AMP) If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him. But he must ask [for wisdom] in faith, without doubting [God’s willingness to help], for the one who doubts is like a billowing surge of the sea that is blown about and tossed by the wind.

It was a faith issue with Job. He did not make the list of the great men and women of faith as listed in Hebrews 11. You can tell that by what he feared and how he tried to compensate for that fear. My children attended public school. Why do I know that was a good choice for them? It goes according to the mission we set as a family. They are not of this world, but that does not mean they need to be taken out o f it. We are called to go into all the world and to spread the gospel. Our mission field is our community. They have served in the community that they are planted into (we have to model and teach empathy). Jesus came to serve. We are not better than anyone, and we want to see the best for others. We are not self seeking, so it is not about us grasping for success. God is our fortress, not our brick and mortar home. God is their protector, not mom and dad. They have the mind of Christ and are filled with the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead. They dwell in the shelter of the Most High and they are secure in Him (not in man). Even if they walk in the valley of the shadow of death, they shall not fear (and neither shall I), for they are protected by the Great Shepherd and they have the wisdom to listen to His guidance. My husband and I have been charged to train them in the way they should go, and that is to Christ. I cannot manipulate God to protect my family. I have to surrender them to Him. I have to live surrendered too. My identity is not found in my husband and kids, it is found in Christ. Who would I be without them? I would still be His. I cannot doubt God. He cannot lie.

God, our Father, our Shield and our Banner, we want to glorify You today with every thing that is within us, including our thoughts. Thank You for Your Son, who paid the price for our freedom. Thank You for the Holy Spirit, who is our Counselor and Teacher. Thank You for being our High Tower, for being our Peace and for Your Mercy and Loving Kindness. We repent for doubting Your Goodness and Grace by keeping control of areas of our lives. We repent for not being enveloped in the fullness of Your Love, by allowing fear to rule our minds. We surrender everything back into Your will. You are the Great Shepherd. Lord, we pray for wisdom. Wisdom in raising our families, wisdom is making good financial choices, wisdom in how to lead well in our community. We do not take the task of the Great Commission lightly, and we repent for limiting the spectrum of influence that You have mapped out for our mission. We choose to forgive anyone that has made a stumbling block in our lives to fulfill what You have called us to, the ministry of reconciliation. We repent for taking any bait of offense and allowing roots of bitterness to be planted. We choose love today. We choose hope today. We choose forgiveness today. We choose joy today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Loose Yourself

Isaiah 52:2 (MEV) Shake yourself from the dust; arise, O captive Jerusalem. Loose yourself from the bonds of your neck, O captive daughter of Zion.

We have a black Labrador mix in our back yard. We rescued her from some woods many years ago. In a large fenced in yard, with lots of places to run and climb (she likes to climb trees), chase the squirrels, a wonderful source of water and fed daily. Yes, she still pushes the fence to find the weak points. Do you know where she goes when she gets out? To my front door. She does not want in the house, she just sits. She will get up and roam the neighborhood and then sit back at the door. The thing is we live within the city limits. We will get a fine for letting her go around without a leash. So, we have had to put her on a line with a collar, and a zip tie to keep it closed (she figured out how to remove it).

Unlike our domestic animals, that we responsibly keep within boundaries, we have been set free. However, the enemy has set a choke collar around our necks to keep us bound. When we try to speak our way into freedom, he uses the images of our past and our insecurities to stop our voices. Jesus took the keys from Satan (Revelation 1:18). He has set the captives free, that is us, when we accept His Lordship (Luke 4:18-19, also prophesied in Isaiah 61:1-2).

Matthew 16:19 (AMP) I will give you the keys (authority) of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth will have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] on earth will have [already] been loosed in heaven.

As kingdom citizens we have keys. So loose yourself from the bondage that is keeping you from your full freedom. The enemy has no right to any area of your life, unless you allow him. Remember, he is only like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). We have to loose ourselves from all the hurt, deep hurt, pain, sadness, grief, anger, hatred, rage, bitterness, fear, and bound and blocked emotions. We do not do it alone. We have the keys, we have the authority, it is His powers that empowers us.

1 Peter 5:6-7 (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]. 

I have taken a prayer from John Eckhardt’s “Prayers that Break Curses” and adapted it for us today:

Father, In Jesus’ name, I loose all members of my body, including my mind, memory, eyes, ears, tongue, hands and feet. I loose myself from the effects of bad memories, painful memories, and memories of the past that would hinder me in the present or future. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, by the authority given to me to bind and loose, I loose my emotions from every evil spirit that has come in as a result of experiences of the past. I command these spirits to come out, and I decree freedom to my emotions in the name of Jesus. I loose my mind from all spirits of mind control, confusion, mental bondage, insanity, madness, fantasy, passivity, intellectualism, knowledge block, ignorance, mind binding, lust, and evil thinking. I loose myself from all guilt, shame, condemnation, and legalism. I loose my will from all control, domination, and manipulation form Satan, his demons, and other people. I loose my will from all lust, rebellion, stubborness, pride, self-will, selfishness, and antisubmissive spirits that block and hinder my will. I break and loose myself from all chains around my will, and I submit to the will of God. In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.

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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.