Tag / faith
If Life Were a Cupcake….
If our focus is truly fixed on God as our one and only Need-Meeter and Sustainer, then we can truly enjoy the people and blessings in our lives without depending upon them to be the substance of our lives.
Ladies, STOP begging. SomeOne DIED to Break that Curse!
One of the results of the fall way back in the Garden of Eden is the tendency we women have to think we cannot be complete or get our needs met apart from a man in our life (“Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” – Genesis 3:16b). Please remember, this is a part of a curse after Adam & Eve’s sin. But it doesn’t have to be our story because Jesus died and lives to break that curse (among others).
When we put any man – even a most wonderful one – in the place of God in our hearts, things will get ugly. We’ll either pursue a relationship more than we pursue the very One who died just to be in relationship with us, or we’ll put pressure on our guy to be our everything – even begging him as stated in the image below.
Make sure your heart is securely placed in God’s hands before you even think about placing it in the hands of anyone else. And, choose your man wisely: someone whose track record and not just his words prove his love for God. Then… God can move your guy’s heart toward you as only God can.
(Note: I found this great meme on The Conflicts of Life Facebook page. Great page to follow!)
It’s Dangerous to just “Play”at Faith
Some of us have learned the hard way that jumping into to Christianity and “church work” (ministry) in our own strength instead of God’s strength can leave your soul bruised and bleeding. No more playing for this girl. God has some things to do through me. #ALLin #FirstFruitFast #AmazingIsHere #ReconnectingIn2016
Feel like you’re in a Spiritual War Zone?
Well, that’s because… you are in a spiritual war zone! It is a fight. But when we’re in Christ, we fight from a place of victory because THE BATTLE IS ALREADY WON!
To end my letter I tell you, be strong in the Lord and in his great power. Wear the full armor of God. Wear God’s armor so that you can fight against the devil’s clever tricks. Our fight is not against people on earth. We are fighting against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness. We are fighting against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly places. That is why you need to get God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil, you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing.
So stand strong with the belt of truth tied around your waist, and on your chest wear the protection of right living. On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong. And also use the shield of faith with which you can stop all the burning arrows that come from the Evil One. Accept God’s salvation as your helmet. And take the sword of the Spirit—that sword is the teaching of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times. Pray with all kinds of prayers, and ask for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready. Never give up. Always pray for all of God’s people.
– Ephesians 6:10-18 ERV
Being Stretched Beyond Having To Know What’s Next
“If I have to know how it’s going to happen – that’s not faith.” – Pastor Derrick Golden, Amazing Church
When a Manger Scene Almost Becomes a Major Scene
So, earlier today, I had an “almost-broke-down-in-the-middle -of-my-workday” moment. When I walked through the hospital lobby, I noticed they had set up a beautiful manger scene. My Mom loved and collected manger scenes. So tears started welling up thinking how much I wanted to show it to her or at least call her and tell her about it. It doesn’t cease to surprise me how grief can rise up so strong at a moment’s notice – even though my Mom entered Heaven a few years ago now. Those moments also don’t seem to care where you are when they appear. I almost had a mini-meltdown in the lobby of the hospital where I work.
But then God sweetly whispered to my spirit, “Your Mom doesn’t have to look at a plaster replica of a version of me anymore. She sees ME”. And somehow that perspective changed everything. Yes…. I miss her terribly even after several years. But she – like me – lived deeply in love with Jesus and always longed to see Him Face to Face. So thoughts of the joy and fellowship she is experiencing with the “grown up version” of the Baby Jesus she loved to display (even when it wasn’t Christmas) changed my near “miss-my-Mom-meltdown” into a moment of thanksgiving for a depth of Grace that goes far beyond any grief or pain we might taste in this life.
“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known” – I Corinthians 13:12 NIV
Ragamuffin Oasis: Finding Our Places to Just Be 