Gift of Pause

We’ve been given a pause…what are you discovering during this break from the norm?

God has taken what the enemy has meant for harm and given us all a unique gift…an unprecedented one for every one living in this time. We have become used to the busy, comfortable in the rush here and rush there. If we’re being honest, some of us even depend on the over filling of our schedules. Why? Why have we allowed our schedules to rule our lives, fill every minute of every day, and steal precious valuable time away from our Creator? Why are we content in doing so, yet wonder why anxiety fills us? Why are we so uncomfortable with slowing down, being still, and having time to breathe?

Is it because we are trying to keep up with the pace the world has set? Are we running from a past that haunts us and the hurts we have hidden deep down within us that still remain unhealed? Are our thoughts racing and if we stop long enough, we quickly become consumed by anxiety or depression or the weight of burdens we continue to carry on our own? Are we uncomfortable with the stillness required to face things within us that need cleansing and uprooted because the process can be painful and we’re afraid what might be revealed?

Maybe all or none of the above is how you feel and maybe you have never given any thought to the fast pace life many live, but maybe one or more of those things struck something in you and you’re shaking your head yes, I’ve felt that way, I’m running from quiet and being still. Please keep reading.

I have struggled much with keeping up with and juggling an overbooked schedule, filled to the max and I always hear Jesus calling me to slow down, drop what I’m doing, spend more time with Him. I used to fight it because there was much hidden beneath the surface of a woman trying to hide behind all the activities that filled the time. I didn’t want to confront the loneliness I felt or the darkness I allowed into my life or the thoughts of past regrets and hurt. I didn’t want to confront myself or have Jesus reveal to me what areas of my life were holding me back or growing my heart cold and hardened.

But God kept pursuing and eventually, I gave in and little by little I gave my time to Him and each and every time I did, He showed up in astounding ways. He gently helped to refine and cleanse areas of my life I let grow ugly roots and He healed wounds that were gaping wide and still fresh with emotions I could never sort through on my own. He delivered me from a past riddled with shame, guilt and pain. He set me free and taught me how to live loved(nod to Lysa Teurkurst).

We cannot ignore Gods call to make time for Him. He is doing a work in us that requires time spent with Him. He has a heart He desires to reveal to us. He will calm our anxious thoughts, cast out all fear, doubt, depression. We do not need to be uncomfortable with being still because it is often only then that we truly hear the heart of our Father and can fully come into His presence, lay our burdens down at His feet, and be completely blown away by the things He wants to lavish over us.

We have been given a precious opportunity to know our Father better. He has given us a pause…a reset…He has given us all that time we kept saying we didn’t have enough of and could see ticking away faster than we truly wanted it to. God has given us a gift, let us not waste this pause. Let us take every moment during this time to seek Him more, spend time with our loved ones in our household not just shuttle them here and there and everywhere. Let’s have meals together every night, laugh, play games, sing songs, read scripture, pray and enjoy each other. Let’s really do life together and let’s seek more of the Lord together.

He has not taken away from us during this time but He is giving more than we could ever imagine and we just need to focus on Him and see this time for what it is…a time to shift our priorities…shift from the norm of worldly culture into the kingdom culture needed to expand His kingdom and do what He’s created us to do. This is a time to reset, refocus, and rededicate our lives to the Lord… a time to pause and seek hard after the Lord. Let’s not waste it and let’s never go back to being comfortable with busy and forsaking time with our Heavenly Father. Let’s embrace the stillness and quiet and go deeper with the Lord. In His presence, we are safe and we need not worry about what is to come from a time of being still. He has so much good to reveal to us and this gift of time with Him is so so much more than the time filled with busy and chaos. Trust Him, be still, and know that He is God and He is good.

Psalm 39:4
O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!

Psalm 62:5-8
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.

Ephesians 5:16
Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

James 5:7-8
7 Be patient, therefore, brothers,until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand

James 4:14
Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom

Called Higher

I’m not sure how to start, for my words always tend to fail what is in my spirit and heart to share. I think I’ll begin by saying I love my brothers and sisters in Christ and I want nothing more than to see them live in the fullness of Christ and walk in the calling He has set out for them. I pray my words and call to greater things are received as intended with love the driving force behind them.

My heart cries out for the thinly veiled deception the enemy blinds my fellow brothers and sisters with be shredded, torn, and discarded, because that veil, if left hanging, will turn into chains that bind, keeping from the fullness of life God has for His children. God redeems, He sets free and there is no sin that cannot be overcome and forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ and His saving grace. Nothing can separate you from His incredible love…absolutely, yes! But there’s more…He wants His bride, His church, His people to live in His freedom not settle for a life still lived in the bondage of sin. He calls us higher because He is a good good Father and His will, His way, His plans are far above what this world has to offer us. Christ empowers, Christ strengthens, Christ lifts above worldly pleasures and possessions whether in status, acclaim, or material. We are to set our eyes on Kingdom goals and not settle for the praises of the world or the idleness of standing by and doing nothing.

I’ll share my vulnerable truths with you that I fall short all the time. I fail every day and in countless ways and as believers we are covered in the blood of Christ and His unending mercy, grace, and love. I am forever thankful of the saving grace found at the cross. The Lord has drawn me out from the deepest, darkest pit of hell, washed me with His cleansing blood, removed my filthy stained rags, clothed me in pure white, called me His own precious sweet daughter, and shown me a redemptive love like no other. He gave me new life and I admit, I held on to the world a little longer after that. I still wrestle with sin and attempt to find pleasure in the false and temporary comforts thrown in my face and that the world would say are normal and perfectly fine. BUT, the Lord calls me higher, the Lord calls me deeper, the Lord has a beautiful life, masterfully planned and crafted, awaiting me. All I need to do is surrender my worldly comforts, surrender my desire to elevate self, surrender my desire to please man, surrender my will and say, “Not my will but yours. Here is my heart Lord, you can have it all while I give you my, Yes!”

I also struggle with knowing how to stir my brothers and sisters on, encourage them to join with me in casting out darkness and standing up for the Kingdom. I may come across as judgy or self-righteous or holier than thou. That’s not my heart or my intention. It has turned me to scripture though and helped me to pray to my Father, asking Him to reveal to me areas of pride and sin in my life and help me to repent and do better. I am still working on this, which maybe this post will confirm a need for me to do so, but I hope you can see passed that to read my hope for us as a church, as a family under the banner of Christ.

He has more for us, Church. He has a mission for us all and the days are short. Time is fleeting and our time here on Earth is to resist the sinful norms of the world and live counter-culturally as we live Kingdom-culturally. We cannot help do our part in shining the light and love of Jesus—help set the captives free, if we are lost in the bondage of the world as well. I have much to break free from and I make plenty of mistakes, but Lord please help me focus on you, fix my eyes on you, search the depths of your heart to gain even just a glimpse of what it is you want to see your Kingdom children accomplish. I don’t want to waste another day living for myself—I want to live a surrendered and obedient life in you Lord. That is where freedom, empowerment, strength, beauty, and fullness are found, only in you Jesus.

If you made it this far down in the writing, I pray you keep reading through the passages below because they are far more eloquent, powerful, and meaningful than mine. They are truth without the faultiness of my interpretation of them. So please, read, pray, listen to this song, spend some time today in worship in His presence. I believe He wants nothing more than to speak to you today and reveal His desires for you, His plans for you, His goodness, His complete and unhindered love for you.

Walk in Love
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

A Living Stone and a Holy People
1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,
“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,”
8 and
“A stone of stumbling,
and a rock of offense.”
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Galatians 5 as well❤️

#worshipwednesday #Kingdomoverculture #Christempowers #calledhigherandtogreater #HehassomuchforHisbeloved

My Heart Beats for You. Selah.

This song came on today and it literally made me stop what I was doing, begin to worship, and write the following words. Maybe they are just for me, but maybe they’re for you too. I opened my bible up to psalm 46 and realized how similar it was to what the Lord was communicating to me during this upperroom song. I went back and added Selah in my words as well, because it’s important to pause and reflect. I hope this helps you to do just that❤️

Can you hear my heart beating? It’s steady and strong…for you.

When you feel shaky and unsure, remember I am steadfast, solid, a rock, and unmovable.

Selah

I calm the seas and crashing waves flooding your thoughts. It’s okay if you falter or slip because I will not let you drown. Simply, lock eyes on me. Don’t focus on the chaotic waves of the world around you…the world means them to distract you and throw you off course. Focus on me, eyes on me my child, so I can help you navigate through the chaos. I will not let it overcome you.

Selah

I live in you and I am greater than he who is in the world. My peace is in you. Once you realize this, the waves begin to sound soothing, not consuming or noisy, but a comforting slow rolling that washes away fear and anxiety…a calming till you find in me, rest.

Selah

I bring to you the ability to still yourself in my presence and rest in my peace, truth, assurance, gentle leading in my perfect timing, and love. Oh, the love I have for you! It is a cleansing love, a rich love, a lavish love, a sure love, an unrelenting love, an eternal love and it is for you my dear one. It’s…for…you! Be still my child and know who you are in me by growing in your knowledge of who I am. I am God and I am your Heavenly Father. I am with you now and in every moment on into eternity.

Selah

Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength,

    a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

    though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam,

    though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

    the holy habitation of the Most High.

5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;

    God will help her when morning dawns.

6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;

    he utters his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord of hosts is with us;

    the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,

    how he has brought desolations on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

    he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

    he burns the chariots with fire.

10 “Be still, and know that I am God.

    I will be exalted among the nations,

    I will be exalted in the earth!”

11 The Lord of hosts is with us;

    the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Cjo_mkEsdR0

Step in, Press in

Happy New Year! Here’s to pressing in, stepping into the refining fire, and transformation from the brokenness.

❤️1 Peter 1:6-7❤️
6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

❤️2 Corinthians 4:7-9&16-17❤️
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

❤️Matthew 9:17❤️
“Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.”

“In the crushing
In the pressing
You are making new wine
In the soil I now surrender
You are breaking new ground

So I yield to You and to Your careful hand
When I trust You I don’t need to understand

Make me Your vessel
Make me an offering
Make me whatever You want me to be
I came here with nothing
But all You have given me
Jesus bring new wine out of me

In the crushing
In the pressing
You are making new wine
In the soil I now surrender
You are breaking new ground

You are breaking new ground

Where there is new wine
There is new power
There is new freedom
The Kingdom is here
I lay down my old flames
To carry Your new fire today”

#worshipwednesday #worshipHimeveryday #worshipHiminthrnewyearnewdecadenewbefinning #pressintothecrushing #stepintothefire #newwine #hillsong

2020

How do you plan on advancing His kingdom and spreading the gospel in 2020? How will you use the gifts He has given you to do so? What would you like to thank the Lord for from this past year? What are your hopes for the year ahead? How can I pray for you as we move into a new year? Comment below 🙂

❤️Mark 16:15-20
15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
❤️John 14:12
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”

Instructions and Promises as We Enter the New Year

As we approach the closing of one year and enter into a new one, many reflect on all that has taken place and ponder ways to improve, reset, and start afresh. I came across this chapter in Isaiah and thought it a fitting section of scripture to share during this time.

We are all thirsty for the sustaining and life-giving provision of our Savior Jesus Christ. Whether we are closely following, fallen a little behind, or just beginning to seek Him, we desperately need more of Him and less of this world—more of the spiritual water and bread He provides us, not just barely surviving on the physical alone.

Found in this chapter are instructions and promises. Let us take note of them and more importantly, take heart as we begin a new year of returning Christ’s pursuit, going deeper with Him, and sharing the gospel message in all we do.

Isaiah 55
“Come, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
3 Incline your ear, and come to me;
hear, that your soul may live;
and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.
4 Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander for the peoples.
5 Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know,
and a nation that did not know you shall run to you,
because of the Lord your God, and of the Holy One of Israel,
for he has glorified you.
6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near;
7 let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
12 “For you shall go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall break forth into singing,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;
instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;
and it shall make a name for the Lord,
an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”
#biblelens

New Heart

Rise Up, Rise Up, Rise Up

Rise Up, Rise Up, Rise Up…I can’t even count how many times I have heard this chant begin in my spirit. It is always communicated clearly that this next generation is going to Rise Up. I have heard so often the thought that the end is drawing near and I suppose it is…how near, none of us except God alone, know for certain, nor are we really supposed to focus on that. What I do know is this generation is one who is on fire for God and their fire will only grow brighter. They will be a generation who stands firm on the truths of God’s word and their flame and passion for the Lord will not go unnoticed, in fact, it will be so big, so bright, people will be drawn to the reason behind the fiery flame…The Lord God Almighty. He is an all-consuming fire and through this next generation, I have no doubt they will Rise Up, Stand Firm against the schemes of the enemy, Love Boldly, and Fight to Set the Captives Free.

During worship months and months ago, I began singing quietly to myself Rise Up, Rise Up, Rise Up and within minutes the guest worship leader began singing those same words. Shortly after, He called young people to the altar and I watched my daughter pray over her friend. I sat beside her other friend who remained in her seat and I began praying over her. You see there are young people who need to know their value and worth and they need to know it comes from God. They need to be seen and heard and understood and they need to know they have a good and perfect plan set before them by their Creator God, their Heavenly Father, their Lord and Savior. They need to be poured into by our generation and the generation before us. They need to have life giving words spoken into them and they need to be encouraged, loved, cared for. They need to know they carry the Holy Spirit within them and He is leading them to greater things, calling them to Higher, and directing them to Rise Up.

Now is the time, you were born for such a time as this, Rise Up, Rise Up, Rise Up and declare the goodness and truth and love of the Lord to all those around you. You never know whose life you will impact, whose life you will save and who you will have join you in the Kingdom fight that is raging now, but already won by Jesus Christ. Oh Rise Up, next generation and see the Lord God move mightily!

Isaiah 60:1-3 ESV
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.

Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Mary Had a Little Lamb

#worshipHimwednesday #worshipHimeveryday #beholdTheLamb #Hegoeswithyou #Hehasneverleftyou #Hestilllovesyou
Mary had a little lamb, little lamb, little lamb. Mary had a little lamb, whose fleece was white as snow.
Everywhere that Mary went, Mary went, Mary went. Everywhere that Mary went, the lamb was sure to go.

My three year old son was singing this nineteenth century nursery rhyme the other day. After the first line of the song, he began singing, “Mary had a little baby Jesus”. I’m not quite sure if he thought of this on his own or if he heard it elsewhere, but I rather liked the connection.

Mary did have a little baby Jesus who grew into a man, a perfect sacrifice, a lamb white as snow—spotless, blameless, sinless—Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! Every sin, for every sinner, He gives new life to all who believe in Him.

The second part of the nursery rhyme, “everywhere that Mary went, the lamb was sure to go”, is true for each of us—everywhere we go the Holy Spirit goes as well. Jesus died on the cross, taking our place, so that by His blood our sins may be wiped clean, giving us new life in Him and eternal life with our Heavenly Father. Jesus doesn’t stop there…we don’t stop at salvation…we don’t simply roam this earth on our own until we go to heaven…No! Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to take up residence within us, to lead and guide us.

John 14:15-21 & 25-27
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

If you have given your life to Jesus by accepting His precious gift of salvation, then you have the Helper in the Holy Spirit residing in you. Even if you have strayed, find yourself wandering further and further away, you’re now lost and unsure of how you got to where you are now, or you think you’re too far gone to make your way back home… The Lamb follows you and is sure to go where you go because The Lamb is also The Shepherd. The Shepherd goes after His lost sheep. His pursuit of you never ceases and He will not give up on you.

You may have felt alone as you’ve walked through this broken and painful world, but even in your darkest moments, even when you’ve made the most horrific decisions and are dealing with the consequences—God is with you, calling you closer to Him and to hear him as he whispers gently how much He still loves you. He still loves you and nothing can change that, nothing can separate you from His love. Nothing can separate you from Him.

God desires you to allow Him into every part of your life. He’s already living within you, but you need to acknowledge that and open yourself up to Him. He doesn’t just want the put together parts of you or your life…He wants every part, the broken, bruised, wounded, full of shame and guilt-ridden parts because in His presence there’s no way this list can remain for He is too Holy and too powerful and too loving to let it stay a part of you. He’s already washed you clean. He already sees you as such, so do not cling to your old self and the brokenness that stems from it.

The chains you continue to carry around as you run from the love of God will only get you so far before you reach a point of becoming stuck, unable to break free from them in your own strength. Allow God to free you so you can begin running into His open arms. Allow Him to lead you back to the life He has planned for you. He has so much in store for you when you choose Him, recognize His presence in your life, and allow Him to heal and free you.

Remember, He goes wherever you go and He never leaves nor forsakes you❤️

Come Home

#worshipwednesday #worshipHimeveryday #defender #restorer #healer #abbafather #comehome #revival #mightymove #godisgreater #victory #imwalkingtoo
For awhile now, I have felt the enemy launching an attack on families. From the very design God created for families to destroying innocent lives from ever having a chance at life…the enemy tries to spare no one. When God is getting ready to move mightily in the lives of many, I can personally feel the enemies attacks coming at me and my family. My patience is less, my anxiety more, and my sometimes harsh response to my kids being kids more frequent. Also, the enemy likes to drag me back down to the grave I left behind when I accepted the forgiveness and freedom God gave me. The song, “ain’t no grave” originally written by Johnny cash and revamped version by Bethel Music declares at the end, “If you walked outta the grave, I’m walking too!” is a powerful reminder that we don’t have to stay stuck in our grave or a life apart from Christ which weighs us down and keeps us from the freedom and love He offers us.

Our God defends! Our God is bigger! Our God is greater and He is the Great Defender! It is so much better His way and His way is life…His way is love…He is love!

God is love and only His love breaks down barriers, destroys strongholds, generational chains, and addictions. His love TRANSFORMS…His love does not leave us unchanged, stuck in our old ways, No, His love rids us from all sin, shame, guilt and brings us back to life, making us new, clean, pure, holy and blameless in His sight. His love heals all wounds. By His stripes we are healed.

I know there are many words here, but please don’t just breeze through reading them or ignore them…go back and soak in His promises, get in His word and read the promises He has written down before you. You don’t have to stay stuck in your brokenness and all the lies the Devil wants you to believe…if you are in Christ then you are set free!! His love conquers all and heals all and puts back all your broken pieces…His love is greater than any lie that Satan tempts and torments with and all you have to do is accept the precious gift of salvation in Jesus Christ and believe He has greater things for you. He offers salvation to each and every person who believes…no matter your past…no matter your current state…He gave His life for you while you were still a sinner.

God promises a life of abundance in Him…that does not mean a life without hardship because there is a cost to following Him. The world is full of judgement, ridicule, persecution, and lies. The world tells us what we believe is wrong, that God’s truths are inaccurate, or the world twists His word into something it is not and we will be judged for staying true to His word. All of the suffering we endure is worth it for He makes a way, has a plan, has gone ahead and won the war, and in Him we have victory.

God is launching something too, that is far greater than that of the enemy. God is bringing back His wayward sons and daughters, raising people up from their graves, saving and protecting innocent lives, and He is calling His kingdom children to rise up and go out in helping Him to carry out revival to bring His lost sheep home. Come home! Come home! Rise up from your grave and come home to your Father’s house and His arms stretched out for YOU! ❤️

Psalm 18:1-6
I love you, O Lord, my strength.
2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
and I am saved from my enemies.
4 The cords of death encompassed me;
the torrents of destruction assailed me;
5 the cords of Sheol entangled me;
the snares of death confronted me.
6 In my distress I called upon the Lord;
to my God I cried for help.
From his temple he heard my voice,
and my cry to him reached his ears.

Romans 16:20
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Romans 5:8
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 6 ❤️

Romans 8:14-17
14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.