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The importance of the remnant

Romans 11:5 (AMP)  So too then, at the present time there has come to be a remnant [a small believing minority] according to God’s gracious choice. 

For so long we have looked at the remnant as an us versus them discussion. The remnant have a duty and it is not to put mankind against each other. The remnant are called for reconciliation. The remnant is a word of hope.

We were talking in prayer about those that never returned to fellowship within the church after the stay at home order of covid-19. Then there are those who attend church that do not care completely for the entire body, just for those in their household. Then there are those that attend, receive and leave, never truly getting the fullness of what it means to belong to the body of Christ and truly loving each other. The remnant is not just a gathering, it has to do with the heart after God.

You can be in a state of apostasy and still attend church. Apostasy has to do with defiance. There are those within the walls of our churches that are in outright rebellion regarding following after the Word, instead they follow their emotions.

Isiah 55:8 (AMP) “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.

We can have thoughts and ways that do not line up with what the Word of God says. We have the ability to choose. God did not lie about that. He wants you to choose Him, but you do not have to. You can not choose His ways, but then you will have to deal with the results. You do not have to struggle, you can always choose to surrender. Here is where we get in a state of apostasy; we root into self and pride sets in. Pride brings with it offense, fear, anxiety, depression, shame, guilt, the thoughts of we are against you; of which none of that is true in Christ. We cannot be in this state and say we stand for unity in the body of Christ. We have now become double minded and easily confused by the enemy. Last week I wrote about the enemy’s goal is to wear us down (Daniel 7:25a), he does this by saying that Word does not apply today. He does not want us seeking the Word of God, nor His face.

King David sought the Lord in true repentance after he sinned with Bathsheba, and had her husband killed. Psalm 51 is a prayer of repentance, I often quote some of it during my prayer. Repentance is not a bad thing. It tells God that we want Him to do a work within us. Repentance is not about guilt or shame, if it were then it would not be of God. David had a heart after God, that means he desired to spend time with Him (and not just when He needed something). David knew where his strength came from. David knew where his joy came from. David knew God to be His source. That is the same God we can have a relationship with today.

2 Corinthians 7:10 (AMP) For [godly] sorrow that is in accord with the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but worldly sorrow [the hopeless sorrow of those who do not believe] produces death.

This word salvation is not about just getting to heaven. This is talking about the fullness of God. King David had a true heart of repentance. King Saul did not, and it led to his destruction. King Saul in his apostasy, when he became disobedient to God’s ways, pride took root in him and it was his ultimate downfall. This is why it is so important for us to keep a heart check, not a heart defense. A heart defense will harden, but a heart check will keep it moldable.

Just last week I had a heart check and needed to apologize to someone that I spoke with. Even though what I said was correct, it still could have swayed them in their heart. So I repented before God and then asked for their forgiveness. My life is not about me, it is about Him receiving the glory. That is what it means to be a remnant. Let us look at Romans 11 some more.

Romans 11:16 (ESV) If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

God must be first in our lives. When Jesus stated we are to hate our fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, etc. (Luke 14:26) He was not talking about us having enmity against them. He is saying no person should hold more value than God, that includes my own husband and children. This is what the remnant has to take hold of. The root of all that we are is found in the love of Christ. He is the vine and we are the branches (John 15).

What are you rooted in? The remnant sees God as their source. The remnant knows what it means to consecrate themselves to the Lord. The remnant knows without a shadow of a doubt all that Christ paid for in setting the captives free. The remnant knows that without grace we would not have known true faith. Faith in the One who gave it all.

1 Peter 2:4-5 (NASB) And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by people, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 

Ephesians 2:19-22 (NASB) So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

I am not giving up on the apostate church, neither am I giving in to compromise. God is going to get the glory. That is why the remnant have stayed faithful. It is not about them, it is all about Him. I am not seeking blessings, I am seeking His face. We choose to treat others better than we have been treated ourselves. We choose to seek the best for each other. We are not a closed off country club, we are a living example of what it means to lay down your life for someone else. We are never to think so highly of ourselves that we become so spiritual minded that we become no earthly good. We have excused away the Great Commission. I stand here proclaiming His Kingdom come, His will be done, on earth as in heaven. Keep these verses before you, and pray for a to the Father to create in us a clean heart, and renew a right and steadfast spirit within us (Psalms 51:10).

Romans 6:8 (AMP) Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live [together] with Him

Galatians 2:20 (AMP) I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

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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!

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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.

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Teach us how to love well

1 Thessalonians 3:12 (AMP) And may the Lord cause you to increase and excel and overflow in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you

This has been my prayer for the last few months for my church. As the pastors of Connect Church, we admit that we have not loved well. We want to be better, but we know we cannot do it in our own striving. We have to surrender that part of us to God. Why? The Lord will get the glory.

For the past few weeks, we have used Colossians 3:12-14 (MSG) as our base scripture and have been building on it in new ways. We are asking God to show us all directions of it, so that we may get the fullness of it for ourselves and in turn for our church.

Colossians 3″12-14 (MSG) So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

Too often we have walked away from relationships that could have encouraged each party to grow closer in the Lord. We often forget that the promises that are found in God’s Word were written for imperfect people, and we can be the most imperfect of them all. We have this hope, “I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6).” We often hold close to this for personal reasons, but I cannot help but notice the next verse, “It is right for me to think this of you all because I have you in my heart…” Do we really think this for ourselves and not for others? I want to love better. So, I have changed my thoughts when negative ones come up about someone else, no matter what happened in the past. The first step in loving well is to think better.

The most important place to learn to love well is to abound in the presence of God. John 15 tells us about abiding. Jesus tells us that part of the abiding is the surrender. I have to surrender the hard things too, so that He can make them bear the fruit of what a relationship with Christ looks like. He says in John 15:10 (MEV), “If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, even as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.” In order for me to love well, I have to remain in the love that can never run dry. This is the garment of love that I have to put on. In His love, I can love well.

Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP) But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

The opposite of love is fear, which is rooted in pride. It was the first acceptance of Adam that sin had entered the garden. Pride was what brought fear, the desire to be God (to judge right from wrong) had brought death and with it fear and shame (Genesis 3:10). When people do not meet my expectation and they disappoint it is because I am still trying to be judge. I have to surrender that. In order to love well, I have to think better. I know not everyone is going to do the same with me and that is okay. I will not take an account and hold it against them; I am going love well. Not everyone is going to keep their word, I am going to love well. There are going to be those that purposely count you out, I am going to love well. Instead of repeating the matter and get people on my side, I am going to love well.

Here is my prayer now, it was taken from Paul’s writing in Philippians 1:9-11: “This I pray, that our love may abound more and more, growing deeper, in real knowledge and in practical insight, so that we may learn to recognize and treasure what is excellent. That we identify with wisdom the best for each other. That we may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ. We have a desire to lead others out of darkness and into light. That we are filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ. Our desire is to the glory and praise of God, that His glory may be both revealed and recognized. In Jesus Name, Amen.“

I really have a desire for all to grow deeper in their relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Sometimes it comes to admitting that in order to grow, I have to love better. Father, teach me how to love well.

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Vacation Mode

Psalms 23 (AMP): The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me],
I shall not want.
He lets me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still and quiet waters.
He refreshes and restores my soul (life);
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You have anointed and refreshed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the Lord.

It has been four weeks since I have written and published a blog. What have I been up to? A lot!! I took a group of youth to camp for five days. Then, I turned right around and did a twelve day trip with just my husband and me. We came home so we could pick up our youngest and take him on a little trip on his summer break. What does all this have to do with a scripture when David was running for his life? Can you find the God moments?

We are a group of people that go on vacation but want to jam pack it with all the activities and adventure to create memories. I have gotten better about that. I do plan, but not so full that there is no time for rest. Do you know that rest in necessary for our growth? Rest is not the absence of doing anything, it is the peace during.

Can we focus on God in the moments? I was able to have some God moments during these four weeks. The next few blog posts I want to share them with you.

Psalms 51:6 (AMP) Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part [of my heart] You will make me know wisdom.

A key to the moments is to turn your focus from your circumstances, and from the noise of everything around you, and look for Him. Instead of focusing on my truth and on myself, I want to know His truth. My mind can take me into some dark places of loneliness, regret, shame and even depression in the midst of being surrounded by others. I do not want that, I want what He has for me. He can restore me in the midst of anything if I would just stop struggling for me.

The last four weeks were amazing. My time with my husband was perfect. Find the rest in the midst of the noise.

Father, thank You for creating us. Thank You for loving us so much that You sent Your Son for us. We desire to know Your Truth. We repent for not seeing You in our day to day. We want to know You more. We want to see Your Face. We want Your Presence more than your presents. Thank You for Your grace and mercy. We honor You as Holy. Thank You for the revelation into Your goodness as we seek You throughout our days. We choose hope today. We choose forgiveness today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Shrinking Feeling

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

Rooted and grounded in love. I have been having to speak that and renew my mind in that these past couple of days. Something I said was not interpreted how I intended to present it. Presenting a message to a group is a very difficult thing. If something can be misinterpreted in a small group, just think about how much it happens on a larger scale. That was my thought. Did I make a mistake? Is it a mistake for me to even be speaking? I wanted to shrink back and hide again. The voice in my head was saying, “see, this is why you do not need to be up there.” I really don’t want to be up there anyways so that is good enough, right? Nope. My hiding place is not to withdraw, but to sink my very self into Him. He is my hiding place.

Matthew 5:14 (AMP) You are the light of (Christ to) the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

Hiding in Him does not mean I am hidden from my calling. The Light was never meant to be hidden. Radiance is what you will continue to see. I will continue to work in the ministry of reconciliation. Whatever capacity He wants me to do it.

Did it shrink my confidence? Yes. I have a holy fear of leading others away from His heart. That was my question to myself? Did I draw anyone away from Him? Or did I get them to draw deeper to know Him more? Since it was the later, He calmed me. He put me into His rest. That is what hiding in His Presence will do. I have to continue to be Christ minded, not me minded.

This is a pretty short blog, but I felt like that I needed to share some vulnerable moments. In the moments that you are rocked and feel pushed down, keep your focus on Him. He is your hiding place, so that you can continue to let His Light shine through you.

Father, You are more than we can imagine. You are the creator of the universe. You hold everything in the palm of Your hand. Thank You for sending the Redeemer, Jesus.Thank You for the gift of infilling me with Your Presence with the Holy Spirit. Forgive me for doubting myself like it was all up to me. Forgive me for making it about me and wanting to shrink back. All I want to do is be close to You and bring others closer to You. Continue to knock off the rough edges. Continue to renew my mind and my tongue. I choose Your glory today. I choose to hope in You today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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My ‘why’ behind my response

Romans 8:1 (AMP) Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior].

This verse is often misquoted. Did Paul say this in retaliation or relief? Was it in defense or comfort? When do you use this verse? Is it in an argument? Are you being defensive? Is it because you have become offended by correction by those in leadership over you?

I can become defensive and I have to remind myself of this verse,”Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” 2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV). Why? I will often come up with scenarios as why someone jumped to that conclusion about me. It is a defense mechanism I came up with when I was a child. I was the oldest and was given a lot of responsibility at an early age. I felt pressure to be perfect. If I was not perfect, if I had messed up, then I was shamed for it. I became isolated. I felt very alone as a result of the silent treatment I was given because I did not meet expectations. I have really worked hard on not having defense come up when a question comes up on why I make certain decision or what I am doing. I still have not become perfect in my response, but that’s okay. Charles Spurgeon once said, “I have a great need for Christ. I have a great Christ for my need.” So I apologize and move ahead.

Have you ever thought that this main verse may be the continuation of a thought? This is not the beginning of the thought process, it is his conclusion. Read it in context for the fullness. “Therefore” should not be where we plant our flag if we have not taken the time to find out how Paul got here.

Romans‬ ‭7:14-25‬ ‭(AMP)‬‬ “We know that the Law is spiritual, but I am a creature of the flesh [worldly, self-reliant—carnal and unspiritual], sold into slavery to sin [and serving under its control]. For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled and bewildered by them]. I do not practice what I want to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate [and yielding to my human nature, my worldliness—my sinful capacity]. Now if I habitually do what I do not want to do, [that means] I agree with the Law, confessing that it is good (morally excellent). So now [if that is the case, then] it is no longer I who do it [the disobedient thing which I despise], but the sin [nature] which lives in me. For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh [my human nature, my worldliness—my sinful capacity]. For the willingness [to do good] is present in me, but the doing of good is not. For the good that I want to do, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want to do, I am no longer the one doing it [that is, it is not me that acts], but the sin [nature] which lives in me. So I find it to be the law [of my inner self], that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully delight in the law of God in my inner self [with my new nature], but I see a different law and rule of action in the members of my body [in its appetites and desires], waging war against the law of my mind and subduing me and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is within my members. Wretched and miserable man that I am! Who will [rescue me and] set me free from this body of death [this corrupt, mortal existence]? Thanks be to God [for my deliverance] through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind serve the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh [my human nature, my worldliness, my sinful capacity—I serve] the law of sin.” ‭‭

If you believe that wrestling is condemnation, you are mistaken. Wrestling with your flesh should not bring you to condemnation, it should bring you closer to Christ. Your conclusion should not be condemnation, it should be Jesus. That is exactly what Paul is saying here. Paul was battling with himself that he knew to do write but his flesh did not want to. Have you ever gotten the “just don’t want to’s.” Paul recognized that he fought that. What did he turn to? Condemnation will in turn bring us to the door way of depression with thoughts of “I’m not good enough,” or “I will never be able to do that.”

When my Eli was in little league, at about the age of 10, he played a game that his batting was really bad. He is a wonderful ball player, but some days they have a bad day. He hung his head in shame. He talked about how bad of a player he was and how he let the team down. I had to remind him of the great play he made in the outfield and that he brought more to the team than his batting average. Some days you cannot get into the momentum of hitting. That is okay. He cannot give up. He needs to go back to practice and try again. He kept at it and is now playing in high school.

You see condemnation comes from the enemy. It is the voice of shame urging us to believe that our heavenly Father is shaking His head at us in disappointment and disgust, His arms crossed and His heart closed. If you notice that I said enemy and not people (Ephesians 6:12). Choose how you receive the words of people or you start to believe they are against you and they are your enemy, when they are really trying to help you and love you. Condemnation is often a result of my refusal to own up to my faults and refuse to change to His reflection. Conviction comes from the Holy Spirit. It is the voice of grace beckoning us to run to Jesus, repent, receive mercy, and run the race before us in His transforming power and grace. Do you believe your leaders pray for you and hear God? Often times they are telling you something that the Holy Spirit has already been dealing with you.

Read the full story. Look at your ‘why on how you respond to correction. The end result should not be isolation and shutting people out because you believe they are condemning you. Remember you do not fight against flesh and blood. We are called to a body and if there is someone rubbing the ruff edges off of you, thank Jesus that they are. You are growing. Allow the Holy Spirit to do the work in and through you. Come out of shame and into His marvelous light. Own up to your faults and grow. I am not where I want to me, but I am not where I use to be.

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Happy Independence Day!

John 8:36 (AMP) So if the Son makes you free, then you are unquestionably free.

Acts 13:38-39 (AMP) So let it be clearly known by you, brothers, that through Him forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you; and through Him everyone who believes [who acknowledges Jesus as Lord and Savior and follows Him] is justified and declared free of guilt from all things, from which you could not be justified and freed of guilt through the Law of Moses.

The United States of America is two hundred and forty six years old today. I do not know about where you are (for those that life here in the states), but celebrations have been going on all weekend. Our city held their fireworks show and Freedom Celebration on Saturday (two days ago). Our neighbors were shooting off fireworks all night last night. Tonight the city next to us has their fireworks and festivities. We have not made plans to attend a single one. We would have done it when the kids were smaller. We would go now if it interested them.

What does it mean to be unquestionably free? My definition of freedom is probably different from yours. My definition is tied to my peace. My peace of mind. Torment is not freedom. Worry is not freedom. Anxiety is not freedom. To me, that puts me back in bondage. When I get that way I have to dig deep and ask myself, what has put me back in bondage.

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.]

There are moments that I allow my peace to be taken. I allow myself to worry about certain things and thought of certain people. I allow myself to get upset when I allow another person’s torment to affect me (this usually shows up in annoyance). I am not as nice as I would like to be sometimes. I have allowed that freedom of peace to be taken. Here is the great thing about Jesus. He already paid the price for me to take it back. I do not need to beat myself up about what happened for me to lose it. I do not need to feel guilty or shameful. I (with the help of the Holy Spirit) put my thoughts back in line and focus on what is important to bring me back in line with peace.

Romans 14:17 (AMP) For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking [what one likes], but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Take back your dependence on all the wrong things. Put your focus back on Jesus. He is the one who gives us the real freedom. Peace is part of that freedom package. No matter what the legislature is saying and doing. No matter what your family may be saying and doing. No matter what the news outlets (some depend on social media) are saying and doing. What did Jesus do? He came so that we could establish His Kingdom here on earth. With what? With righteousness (not by dead works), with peace and with joy.

Galatians 5:13 (AMP) For you, my brothers, were called to freedom; only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the sinful nature (worldliness, selfishness), but through love serve and seek the best for one another.

When I can seek the best for others, I know that love has brought me to the place of perfect peace.

Happy Independence Day!

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Say ‘no’ to carpenter ants

Ephesians 1:18-19 (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), and [so that you will begin to know] what the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His [active, spiritual] power is in us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength.

I do not know about you, but when something is bothering me I mull over it. This is a good moment for me to call on God and ask for a home inspection (since we are the home of the Holy Spirit). My husband and I have purchased two homes since we married. The first one was a bank repossession and was basically as is. The second home we were making a large investment in and had some money, to put down from the sale of the previous home. Let me add that when we bought our second home I was well into my third trimester with our second child. We physically went and looked at and toured nearly eighty homes (I know, I was exhausting).

We were running short on time and we had settled on a home not too far from our church location at the time. I was not crazy about the schools that we would be district for and the layout of the house was a little weird, but the closets were good and they had just remodeled the kitchen. We paid for a home inspection as we had made an offer. We wanted to make sure the home we were going to buy was solid. A home inspection is a detailed report of all the potential problems the home may have. This home had a lot of problems. First off, those appliances were not even hooked up in the kitchen and they were a long way off from getting to where that was even possible (electrical issues). Those cute gas logs in that nice fireplace were just there to look at, there was nothing hooked up and the fireplace was not usable. Then there were the carpenter ants that had built nests all in that brand new deck they put in, but did not treat, and now had infected the rest of the house. How can something so small cause so much damage! That house was a big no after the home inspection.

Our inspection for His home within us is the Holy Spirit and His Word. God has given us these so that I can clean myself up (a different clean up from that sin life I lived), but a clean up of the years of neglect, hurts, fear, shame and other spiritual baggage that I have been carrying around. These “life problems” can do some serious damage to this home, just like those small carpenter ants did to that home. I do not like that I mull over things so much. Overthinking and over analyzing things robs us of our peace and our joy. It will rob us of our sleep and our confidence of who we are in Christ. Christ purchased this home and paid a high price for it. I am forever grateful and know that I cannot do this life without Him.

Praying for you as you begin this week. Know and cherish this hope, that He sees us as the riches of His glorious inheritance. We ask Him to search within us and open the eyes of our hearts. He who began a good work within us will see it to completion. We are worth the investment!