Happy June everyone, and welcome to our new series on ACTION HEROES! We’re going to be studying those bold men and women who did not simply believe in God, but put their faith into ACTION!

“FAITH shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1

In the month of June when the days are long and warm, and we find ourselves diving into a refreshingly cool swimming pool physically, let’s also dive into a spiritual refreshment through Hebrews 11!

Commonly known as the “Hall of Faith,” this chapter promises to refresh our spirits and cause us to “walk our walk”, and not just “talk our talk!”

So Friends, join me as we jump into the refreshing waters of the book of Hebrews toes first, allowing it’s encouraging waters to engulf our bodies with encouragement and inspiration!

The author of Hebrews does not identify himself, except to indicate that he was a man. The original belief was that the author was Paul, however the writing style is not that of Paul’s and the author states in chapter 2 that “the message of this great salvation was first announced by The Lord Himself, then delivered to us by those who heard Him speak.” He is separating himself from those who were directly in contact with Jesus while He was on this earth.

The beauty of Hebrews is not just that it is filled with encouragement for us today to walk and act on our faith as those faithful follower did before us, but that it was more than likely written by a man of faith just like you or I! The most likely author was Barnabas, who accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey. The other candidate for authorship is Apollos who was associated with Paul in his early years of ministry in Corinth. Either way the author is a faithful, church going, scripture studying, servant of God, just like you and I! He put his faith into action, and by the guidance of the Holy Spirit penned one of the most encouraging books of the Bible! Now that’s FAITH IN ACTION. A real ACTION HERO in my book!

Truth is, we always hear about the “Biggies” of the Faith, those Action Heroes that make our mouths drop open, and cause us to stand awestruck and in wonder! Don’t get me wrong, I love those Heroes! I cling to those Heroes of the faith to help me stand firm! I use them daily for inspiration and encouragement, and we will talk about them. But I want to draw attention first to those “unsung” Heroes. Their faith was as big and stands looming over all Christian History as they made their mark alongside the greats of the faith, just like the author of Hebrews himself! He remains nameless, taking no credit for himself, yet pens the book chock full of the stories of the Action Heroes that help us all believe we can live valiantly for Christ!

In Hebrews chapter 11, verse 23, we are introduced to one of my favorite couples. They remain nameless, just like the author of Hebrews, but their Faith in Action allowed one of our ‘Super Hero’s’ to take his place in history. They are simply called “The Parents.”

“It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command.”
Hebrews 11:23

These incredible Action Heroes risked death to put their faith into action! Understanding that the edict of the king, to kill all boy babies, went directly against God’s laws, they risked their very own lives to preserve the life of their son! I am especially in awe of the line; “they were not afraid to obey the king’s command.” This is true faith in action! They took the words in the beginning of Hebrews to heart…

“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for, it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1

When we put our faith into action, and trust that what God says is TRUTH, even when we cannot see it, something supernatural takes place! Our fear, even of death, is replaced with a sense of peace and trust. We can step out of our fear and accomplish the impossible. We can accomplish the ‘Godpossible!’ Yes, I made that up, but it fits so perfectly!

These amazing parents saw something unusual in their son…

“They saw that God had given them an unusual child…” Hebrews 11:23

Being secure in their faith and the “evidence of things they could not see,” they acted in faith and their fear was gone! They saved the life of their son, while facing the threat of death, and he would go on to save God’s people from the bondage and persecution of Pharaoh and Egypt. These nameless unsung Action Heroes of the Faith, instilled in their son, in three short years, the same “Fearless Faith” that they had. These parents raised an Action Hero named Moses.

Moses went on to make his family proud!

“It was by faith that Mosses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the pleasures of sin.”          Hebrews 11:24-25

These nameless parents instilled in their young boy, an Action Hero Faith that remained strong within his spirit even while surrounded by worldly fame and fortune! Never underestimate the power of ‘Faith Filled Parenting!’ It will produce fruit, if we do not give up!

These Action Hero Parents did not simply pass on their “belief” in God, their custom or culture if you will, their heritage, they infused in their boy the “reality of what they hoped for.”

“He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward. It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt and , NOT FEARING THE KING’S ANGER. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the One who is invisible.”
Hebrews 11:26-27

In turn, Moses demonstrated the same “Fearless Action Hero Faith” his biological parents did! He left the land of Egypt to follow his God that he could not see, he was FEARLESS!

Did you catch the tiny detail that could easily go unnoticed? Both Moses and his parents had FAITH so great that they did not “FEAR THE KING’S ANGER!”
Now that is ACTION HERO FAITH! The kind you would see on any good Marvel Action Flick! They Acted on their belief with such great faith that DEATH was not a deterrent!

ACTION HERO FAITH IS FEARLESS WHEN WE KEEP OUR EYES ON THE HOPE OF WHAT WE CANNOT SEE!

Moses and his parents did not fear the anger of the king of Egypt, because they had placed their faith in the King of All Kings! They inspire and encourage us to live fearless lives for God as we not only believe, but put our faith into action.

Truth Bomb

ACTION HERO FAITH IS FEARLESS!

Fearless Faith only comes when we activate our faith and practice what we say we believe!

Speak Truth Love

 

 

 

FAITH IS ROOTED IN THE GOD WE TRUST!

This is the last week of May! Those lovely showers, that brought the aromatic May flowers, have faded into the bright sunshine of the end of May. June is right around the corner, and the first day of Summer comes with it.

As we say good-bye to Spring, and look forward to the long, lazy days of Summer, I want to conclude our ‘GROWTH BURSTS’ series, while at the same time “kick off” our next series.

I grew so much through our Growth Bursts series as God spoke His truth and affirmation to me!
I must be planted firmly, covered by God’s hand completely, watered consistently, and then and only then, will I BLOOM where God Himself has planted me.

Last weeks Blog post brought clear and concise affirmation that both of my Father’s in heaven, (to quote a beautiful friend), have confirmed and sealed my call and my husbands call to our new ministry here in Northern California!
As my Dad’s rose bush produced it’s first bloom EVER, my daughter jumped for joy with me and proclaimed, “That’s your sign Mom! God has called you here to BLOOM for Him!” Later that week my sister wrote that both God and Dad are happy I am back “HOME!”
Then the affirmation of a new friend, from our new church stated that “this is God’s sign of confirmation and sealing.”

I AM BELIEVING GOD, AND I AM PUTTING THAT BELIEF INTO ACTION AS I BECOME ROOTED IN GODS FAMILY HERE IN SONOMA COUNTY!

I write this Blog because I believe with all of my heart that God told me to use the voice He gave me for Him in this way. I have made a commitment to my Faithful God, to be faithful to His call on my life. The phenomanal Truth about our God, is that as we step out in Faith, He is undeniablly more Faithful than we can dream, think or imagine! However, this step of FAITH for me was not an easy one! I felt insecure, nervous and even scared to take the step of FAITH in writing this Blog that God was calling me to! It was only after much prayer and “planting”, that caused me to become ROOTED firmly in my God, that enabled me to trust Him and PUT MY FAITH INTO ACTION!

I have combined the words FAITH and ROOTED in this weeks Blog intentionally. As I, as we, GROW in Christ Jesus, and our roots go down deep in Him, we become ROOTED and our FAITH is made strong.

The “growing process” happens for a reason. It is not simply to make us feel warm and cozy, even though there is a time for that. It is not only to produce a bloom pretty to look at. No, it is for a far deeper reason that we are planted. We are planted so that our roots grow down deep and strong, become ROOTED in Jesus, and BURST forth and produce something. Something that is eternal. Something that impacts the world for Jesus Christ and His Kingdom!

Thats where FAITH comes in. Belief is one thing, but believing is not enough to impact God’s world and make a difference. FAITH is what it takes to make a difference in this world and fulfill our God-given destinies!

FAITH is acting on our belief in God! Stepping out in FAITH when God calls us to do something outside of our comfort zone, takes more than human power. A God sized assignment calls for SUPERNATURAL POWER! We need God’s power acting in and through us!

Both James and Paul use the Greek word ‘Pistis’ for the word FAITH. It relates to a person’s ACTION, not a belief!
That is why James writes in his letter,
“FAITH without works is useless…For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also FAITH without works is dead.”
James 2:20,26

James is telling us that our belief in Jesus is not enough, we must demonstrate our FAITH in Jesus through our actions!
Priscilla Shirer puts it bluntly in her study ‘The Armor of God”,
“FAITH is acting like God is telling the truth.”

FAITH is acting, doing something, taking action! If we truly have FAITH in our God, than we must ACT like it!

I remember when my children were small and they would do something wrong. They would immediately spin around and look up at me with their adorable, guilty eyes and say, “I am sorry Momma!” And this is the reply they would hear back from me, “Do not just say you are sorry, show me you are sorry!” I was taught to demonstrate my words, not just say them. I was trying to instill in my children this same, important truth.

Truth Bomb

Our words are nothing unless backed up by action!

Our FAITH is the same! Do we simply believe that Jesus Christ is our Savior and He deserves all we have to give Him, because He gave us all He had to give? Or, are we willing to back that up with our Lives in Action?

Stepping out and putting our FAITH into ACTION is not easy. But we are supported and encouraged by a long line of ACTION HEROS who came before us!
Next week we jump into an ACTION SERIES called ‘ACTION HEROS OF THE FAITH!’ I know you will be encouraged. So meet me back here next week, and each week through the month of June as we meet real life ACTION HEROS and gain the encouragement we need to put our FAITH INTO ACTION!

I love this FAITH journey we are on together! Thank you for encouraging me to be ROOTED and put my FAITH into action!

See you next week!

Speak Truth Love

Here we are in the final week of our Growth Bursts series, and we are ready to BLOOM!

Blooming is the happy, feel-good part, the bursting fourth part, the “PRETTY” part if you will.

This is the part when we SHINE, look good and feel good. This is the part where we “show off” the fruit of our labor. This is the easy part, right?

No, in all truth, this is the humbling part. The part where we realize that if we were patient and followed through on the planting, and carefully turned up and over the soil in our spirit, covered it carefully and fully with God’s hand, and rested in His process, then and only then did we discover the Biblical Truth of Psalm 46:10,
“Be still and know that I am God.”

Only by going through this process do we become fully aware of the mystery of “Being Still” in God, and trusting Him to do the work!

It is also the part where we bear witness to the need for endurance in the watering process. This is essential if our roots are to grow deep down into the soil so that we will prosper and not wither when the storms come, and they do come!
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we KNOW that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character…”
Romans 5:3-4

Truth is, if we are “BLOOMING” then we have gutted through a gruesome process to get here!

In Matthew Chapter 13, Jesus tells a story about a farmer preparing his fields to BLOOM.

The first step he takes is to plant, or “scatter” the seed. Week one for us!

Verses 3 and 4,
“A farmer went out to plant some seeds. As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell…”

Let me pause for a moment right here and make sure we are all on the same page in understanding the parable…

God is the farmer. We are the seed.

As God’s children, we find ourselves in various geographical locations. We also find ourselves in places with varying types of soil, even if we are geographically close.
God “scatters” His children all over the globe, so that we may affect others for Him EVERYWHERE in His great BIG world!

verse 4 continued,
“….some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them.”

These seeds were not planted and “Covered” in God’s soil!

Verse 5 and 6,
“Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died.”

These seeds did not endure the process of “Being still in God” and trusting in His growth process. They did not produce deep roots, and they had nothing to hold onto when the trials came.

Verse 7,
“Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants.”

These seeds began the process well, but did not follow it through to completion. When the trials or temptations came they leaned into the persuasion of others.

Verse 8,
“Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

These are the healthy seeds. They planted themselves deep into the “good” soil, and covered themselves with God’s protection. They were watered and cared for and remained still and steadfast in knowing God was in control. Finally, they produced a crop far greater than their expectations! They BLOOMED!!!

Blooming for Jesus is not an easy process. It takes devotion, dedication and shear determination! But if we endure, we will radiate God’s Light through our Bloom and others will see the Love of Jesus through us!

The dictionary definition of BLOOM is:
“a youthful and healthy glow in a person’s complexion.”

If we are truly BLOOMING with the Light and Love of Jesus we will radiate a fresh, glowing luster that will draw others to Jesus!

When a flower blooms it opens up, it matures, it produces something.
A seed is planted, it is covered in soil, it is watered and it produces a plant. If that plant is a flowering plant, it produces a BLOOM when it is mature.

That is our goal in Christ Jesus. That BLOOM can take many years to accomplish. The path may be filled with trial, temptations and rough and rocky paths. But if we never give up, if we entrust our lives to God and His pruning, then we will grow into maturity and produce a BLOOM!

As I was praying through this month’s Blog series and asking God to give me the truth He wanted for myself and for you, I was given a Blessing as a distinct example of the words I have written this month!

My father was my hero. He passed away five and a half years ago. Among other gifts and talents, he loved to grow roses. He had a beautiful garden of rose trees at his home, and my sisters carefully and lovingly dug several of them up, and transplanted them to their homes. Over the years they have produced beautiful roses in my sisters yards.

I lived far away from my sisters and father, and was not able to take an entire rose bush. One of my sister’s carefully cut a piece of one of his bushes and with great precision and care replanted it, nurtured it, and brought it to me.

I have watered, pruned, replanted and patiently waited for that rose bush to produce blooms for me like the ones my sister’s bushes have produced. It did not.

For 5 1/2 years, it stayed green, grew a little, but NEVER produced a bloom.

We moved from Southern California to Northern California in November of last year. I moved that rose bush with me. For 6 months it remained green and still. Five days ago, as I was praying about writing this Blog… I saw a bud!

I jumped for Joy, cried a little, and knew God was giving me one of my greatest lessons on blooming! By the next day the flower was in full bloom!!!

When we are DEVOTED, DEDICATED AND DETERMINED, we will BLOOM!

Truth Bomb

Bloom where God plants you!

No matter how long the process takes, stand firm my friends, God will produce a BLOOM!

Our God is FAITHFUL!
Don’t give up friends!
BLOOM!

Speak Truth Love

In order for “Growth” to take place, watering must occur!

We started out this Growth Series with the old rhyme, “April showers bring May flowers.” While this rhyme may be “old”, it carries in it vital truth to the growth process. If watering does not take place, growth will not happen!

Water is vital to growth!

Water is transparent and colorless. It is not fancy and colorful. It is obscure and invisible. It is not obvious and bold.
Water is a chemical compound. It is transparent and nearly colorless. Yet, it is the main constituent of Earth’s streams, lakes, oceans, and of our physical bodies, as well as every other living organism!

WE NEED WATER!!!
It is essential to our survival. However, there is another fact that I want to bring to our attention about water. IT IS AN ACTUAL PART OF WHO WE ARE!

The human body is made up of 72% WATER! Your body uses water in all of it’s cells, organs and tissue to help regulate it’s temperature and maintain other bodily functions. Many of our vital organs are composed of nearly 83% water!

This is a direct quote from a scientific manual:
“Water is of major importance to ALL living things.”

Our Creator, God tells us again and again to “GROW” in Him, to be firmly planted in Him, and to allow our roots to GROW down into Him.

“Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him.”
Colossians 2:7

Our Creator created us with water being a major part of our make-up. Without water we would die. This puts a whole new twist on “WATERING!”

Science tells us that our body loses water through breathing, sweating, and digestion. This is the reason it is so important for us to take in more water by drinking fluids and eating foods that contain water. In a sense, we are replenishing and giving life to our bodies.

In the same way, we must water and replenish our spiritual bodies if we are to have life in them!

Our “natural” bodies and spirits, are prone to follow the ways of this world. We are easily led astray by what “feels good”, or “right!” If someone hurts us, we are quick to strike back or join in conversation against them. If we do not get our way, we tend to dig our heels in and demand what we want or desire. If others are talking in groups, we want to be included and may sway toward popularity instead of integrity! The Bible clearly points out that this is not “watering” our spiritual souls, but instead it is dehydrating us.

“Oh, the joy of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.”
Psalm 1:1

Instead, God calls us to Hydrate or spiritual souls by pouring His Law over our lives, and allowing it to rehydrate our spirits.

“But they delight in the Law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.”
Psalm 1:2

We are called by God to “water” our spiritual bodies “day and night!” God asks us to “DELIGHT” in His Word. Not just read it out of duty! We are to fall in Love with it! And when we do, we will desire to meditate on it day and night! Then, He promises us the blessing that follows:

“They are like trees planted along the river bank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in ALL they do.”
Psalm 1:3

TRUTH BOMB

When we are hydrated with God’s Spirit, we will stand firm.

When we spend time meditating on God’s Word and allow it to “water” our lives, we will remain hydrated, healthy and strong in Him.

Water may be colorless, it may be transparent, but it is vital to our very living. It is what sustains us and keeps our bodies working and functioning the way they were intended to.

In the same way, reading God’s Word, focusing on it’s Truth, praying and listening to God, may be done in private and is not visible to the world around us. But it is the spiritual water that is poured over us, and hydrates our spiritual lives and keeps us alive!

As diligent as we are to HYDRATING our physical bodies, we must be even more diligent to HYDRATE our spiritual bodies. IT IS ESSENTIAL TO OUR SURVIVAL!!!

Meet you back here next week as we prepare to BLOOM!

Speak Truth Love

In order to burst forth, we must first be planted!

I am not an expert gardener. I do not even have a “green thumb!” But, I do know that when planting is taking place, the seed or bulb must be planted firmly into the soil.  The soil must be rich in nutrients in order for it to grow. And most importantly, the soil must cover the seed or bulb until none of it can be seen.

This truth of planting a seed or bulb and covering it, is a spiritual truth as well.

In order for my life to be firmly planted with my Savior, I must be completely covered by Him!  Friends, this is not a “half way in/half way out” relationship.  It is not a relationship that says, “if it feels right today I’m in, but if something comes up tomorrow that feels better, I’m out.”  My relationship with God must be “All In”, no matter what comes my way. If this is not the case, I will not be protected by Him when the storms of life blow on me.

The Bible puts it this way…

“But you, Oh Lord, are a shield (AKA Covering), around me; You are my glory, the one who holds my head high.” Psalm 3:3

If we desire to be firmly planted, and allow our lives to bear  “fruit”, then we must be protected, covered and shielded until we are mature enough to Burst open with all of God’s goodness!

Truth Bomb

God’s Covering Is My Shield And Protection!

God provides me with His love, protection and covering! He promises that He will never leave me or forsake me. But it is up to me to remain covered. I must take the healthy steps of growth and stay covered by my God. Only under the divine covering of God will I remain safe and protected so that I can grow.

Moldova is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the poorest country in that nation. The sad truth is that the country of Moldova has the richest soil in all of that area!  The tragedy is that the people of Moldova do not utilize the rich soil that is directly below their feet.  If they were to plant and cultivate fruits and vegetables in that rich soil, they could become rich. But left uncultivated and unused the soil produces nothing, and the country remains destitute!

Friends, may this not be us! You and I live in a country rich with Christian influence and opportunities. Let us not neglect to cover ourselves in these rich opportunities. If we remain covered in God’s Word, Worship and Praise we will remain covered and protected. And God’s great work will begin to take root in us!

The beautiful aspect of growth is that when we are putting the right things in, growth takes place! It is a natural outcome!

 

Speak Truth Love

 

 

We’ve all heard the saying, “April showers bring May flowers!” Meaning, after the rain storms, the growth is clear and evident. All around us we see green grass, budding trees, and flowers blooming. If not for the showers, we wouldn’t have the flowers!

A strong Biblical principal lies beneath the surface of this truth! Seeds must be planted, then watered, for growth to occur.

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:6

In order for growth to take place, planting, watering, and God must occur.

I am in awe of the beauty that surrounds me daily in this new area I now live in. One of the most beautiful sights that has gripped me has been the amount of daffodils in brilliant yellow, irises in majestic purple, and lillies in dazzling white!

They have not simply popped up “here or there,” but they are literally in colorful rows everywhere around me! While I enjoy their beauty, it is the fact that only a month ago they were no where to be seen. Instead, they were lying beneath the surface. Those particular flowers grow from bulbs. The bulbs are planted far beneath the surface, unable to be seen.

Then, when those “April showers” come and water them, the growth that takes place beneath the surface then pops through the soil in the mature form of a flower!

The growth that takes place through a bulb being planted, to then being watered, and finally producing a bloom is the perfect picture of the Biblical Truth of how we grow in Christ. We must plant the truth of God’s Word deep in our hearts daily! Then, we must water that Truth with prayer, asking God to bring that truth to life through us! Then God, by His miraculous power, takes the planting and the watering, and produces growth in our lives that is seen by others!

Truth Bomb

Without God, growth is impossible!

“So neither he who plants, nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:7

The daily commitment of reading God’s Word and praying, may at times seem monotonous, but just as the bulb lying dormat in the ground through long, cold months produces beautiful growth, God is also producing beautiful growth in you!

As I walk around and witness the growth of Sprigtime, I am encouraged to allow God to produce this growth in my life. Let’s commit together this month, to focus on growth and see what God will burst forth!

Speak Truth Love

 

God makes all things new!

“I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME.”
PHILIPPIANS 4:13

Wait a minute! The title says, GOD IS THE PROVIDER! The series says, GOD MAKES ALL THINGS NEW! Shouldn’t the verse be something about good and perfect gifts coming from above, or maybe something about God will give you the desires of your heart?
NO, for this season and for this situation my favorite verse sustained me and kept my eyes on JESUS!

Philippians 4:13 came to me when I was in college! I was alone and scared and walking through the hardest steps in my young faith than I had every walked before!
My parents were getting divorced after twenty years of marriage! I was devastated. I felt as if my entire life was falling into broken pieces around my feet. I was numb from the inside out! My parents were Christians! How could this be happening! What were my sisters and I going to do? What would we become?
Would we be placed in “THAT” category, you know, the one that paints the words on your forehead, “I COME FROM A BROKEN HOME!”
I mean after all, wasn’t being a “Christian” supposed to guard and protect you from these things? My world was spinning out of control FAST! I had to do something to try and salvage it. I did the only thing I could think of. I ran to my grandparents and asked them if they could help me go to a Christian College. I needed support, encouragement and it was the only place I could think of to find it.
When I arrived at my college dorm room, I met the cutest little gal from Texas who was on fire for JESUS! For this gal, “everything was coming up roses!” She bubbled over with Jesus in the morning, at noon, and all day long!
One day she walked into our room and handed me a small plaque with the verse that would become my LIFE’S VERSE, Philippians 4:13.

“I can do all things through CHRIST who strengtheneth me.”

Yes, it was in the King James Version! That is how this gal rolled!

That plaque, with that verse of TRUTH, sits on my desk still today! It has traveled all around the United States with me, and all around the world with me!
No matter where God has taken me and called me to go, that plaque with that verse goes with me!
Every HOME God has placed Jim and I in, (very few of them have we owned), that verse hangs on a wall in!
If you asked my children what their Mom’s favorite verse is they would both answer immediately and without hesitation, PHILIPPINES 4:13.
It is my email address, it is my verse after my signature, IT IS MY LIFE PROMISE FROM GOD AND IT IS THE TRUTH THAT SUSTAINS ME!

I have walked through many other difficult trials and steps that have caused pain, suffering and struggle! But I have never again faced a circumstance where I felt hopeless!
I know God’s WORDS are TRUTH, AND I CAN DO ALL THINGS TROUGH JESUS CHRIST WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH!

So today, I am concluding a series on ‘GOD MAKING ALL THINGS NEW,’ and I am pleased to give HIM ALL THE GLORY FOR BEING THE GREAT PROVIDER!
I am thanking Him for providing Jim and I with a beautiful NEW home! But I am also; believe it or not, THANKING Him for taking us on a difficult, painful and LONG journey to get there!

I am in NO WAY pretending to be a “martyr” or “Super Christian.” I AM NOT EITHER ONE OF THOSE! Those closest to me will testify to that fact! They will tell you that through this LONG four and a half month journey to our new home, there were days of doubt, sadness, fear and longing. But they will also tell you that we clung to THE TRUTH of Christ Jesus being our strength and HE PROVIDED!

So, today as I sit here writing and listening to this very large dog next door barking non-stop for no apparent reason, I am not annoyed (ok, well maybe just a little)! Seriously, all I can think about is how happy I am to be sitting in my house listening to the dog barking next door!
YES! You heard me right! I am sitting in MY HOUSE! The house that God PROVIDED for Jim and I! The house that God knew would be perfect for Jim and I and our family and our new church family! The house that was intended for us from the beginning of our move. But, also the house that God would provide for us in His Timing, NOT our timing.

On Monday April 3, we were handed the keys to our new HOME!

With joy, gratitude and full, but tired hearts, we put that key in the front door lock and turned it! We stepped inside to the perfect home that God had for us! The work of moving in and making it our home, was not yet over. But the long wait, the trusting, the prayer, the cries for help and direction, were over! God had answered and WE WERE HOME!

Truth Bomb

Home is where Christ is the center!

GOD TRULY DOES MAKE ALL THINGS NEW MY FRIENDS!
TRUST HIM, BELIEVE IN HIM, HOLD TIGHT TO HIM, AND HE TRULY WILL MAKE ALL THINGS NEW!

The process is painful at times, but just as a rough, ugly piece of coal must be polished and turned into the diamond it was intended to be, IT IS WORTH IT!

With a full and humble heart I thank God for all of you and for the provision of our new home! May we only use it for His Glory!

Speak Truth Love

GOD MAKES ALL THINGS NEW!

As we continue this series, remember, it’s a promise my friends, GOD MAKES ALL THINGS NEW!

“I am making everything new!”
Revelation 21:5

I have started something “NEW” recently, Bible Journaling. I was introduced to it by a “NEW” friend, at our “NEW” church, (are you catching on to why God led me to write on this theme?
At first when she introduced me to it over a lunch that she took me out to, I was not interested. I thought it sounded cool, but truly, it did not sound like me! It is artsy, which unfortunately, I AM NOT! I do not have an artistic bone in my body! Stick figures are as “ARTSY” as I get! But as I found myself doing my morning devotions, I was struck with the fact that something “NEW” may add some spice to my morning routine. So, I went to the Book Store and there we piles of these “Journaling Bibles.”
If I was going to spend the money on a “NEW” Bible, then I wanted it to be a version I did to yet have. My husband and my son had been recommending the New Living Translation to me (NLT), so I started looking for a Journaling Bible in that translation. They had a beautiful one with birds, flowers, butterflies, and all sorts of green nature covering every page! That is not the way I roll, and I walked away from it several times. But, as I continued looking I kept coming back to it! Around the third time I picked up the Bible, I noticed that through the artistry of the birds, butterflies and flowers was one simple word…INSPIRE! Eventually, I bought it. I’m not gonna lie, I said to myself, “I can write and color in this Bible, and carry my brown leather “classy” looking Bible when I speak.” Don’t the craziest thoughts pop into our heads!

God knew I needed this “NEW” Bible! He knew that I needed to be INSPIRED! And God, in His infinite wisdom knew that something “NEW” would indeed INSPIRE me!

Truth Bomb

NEWNESS INSPIRES US!

It keeps us fresh, updated, encouraged and looking forward to the next NEW thing!

I was recently Blessed beyond words, INSPIRED, ENCOURAGED, and BUILT UP by the NEWNESS of my precious granddaughter turning 5!

I was snuggling with her in her bed the morning of her fifth birthday! The girl wakes up each and every day, happier than any of us deserve to be! She pops up as I love to say, “like a pop-tart”, happy and excited to start each NEW day! But this day was like nothing I had every seen!
She peered at me with her sweet little face and her brilliant blue eyes shining, and with the biggest smile said, “I’m five today!
I am taller Mamma, can you tell?
I can reach higher Mamma, can you see?
I can jump higher Mamma, watch!”
She jumped out of bed, and jumped up and down on the floor! This girl was convinced that turning 5, made “EVERYTHING NEW!”

And she was RIGHT! God tells us in Revelation that,
“The One sitting on the throne,” that’s JESUS, is making “EVERYTHING NEW!” Revelation 21:5

If we belong to JESUS then He is making EVERYTHING NEW in our lives!

My precious baby girl knows she belongs to Jesus, Do YOU? She does not hesitate to take Him at His Word when He tells her that “I AM MAKING EVERYTHING NEW!”
DO YOU?

Listen to the life-giving words Jesus speaks to each of His children in Revelation 21:

“And The One sitting on the throne said, Look, I am making EVERYTHING NEW!” And then He said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” And He also said,” IT IS FINISHED!”

Friends pause a minute and take in the magnitude of what the LAMB OF GOD, JESUS CHRIST is saying to His children!

“IT IS FINISHED!” I suffered, I died, and I rose again on that cursed cross, so that ALL of your sins are forgiven, and now you live a new, blessed life where “I AM MAKING EVERYTHING NEW!”

We just celebrated EASTER! We just gave honor to our King for suffering and dying and resurrecting from death to life! We cannot miss the power of this! He raised from the dead, walks out of the grave, spends time with His Disciples so that they would “GET IT”, and then he ascends to heaven where He is seated on the throne making “EVERYTHING NEW” for us!

Look and see what the rest of Revelation 21 says to us:

“I am The Alpha and The Omega – The Beginning and The End! To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. ALL who are victorious will inherit ALL these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children!”
Revelation 21:6-7

His gift of “NEWNESS” costs us NOTHING! It is FREE! It is as natural, and free as my granddaughters exuberance at turning 5!

She knows that she is a child of God!
Do you?
She is so convinced of it, that she takes God at His Word! She allows Him, NO, she expects Him, to make EVERYTHING NEW IN HER LIFE!
Do You?

I was blessed and challenged by my “NEW” Bible”, and by my “NEW” five year old granddaughter to allow God to bring His Word to life in my life! To shake off the “OLD” dust from my life that makes me drag my feet, causes me to doubt, and brings in far too much gloom, and allow Him to make “EVERYTHING NEW” no matter how old I am or what circumstances I face!

After all, “IT IS FINISHED!”
I serve a risen Savior, and He is setting on The Throne making EVERYTHING NEW!

Speak Truth Love

God makes ALL things NEW! If it wasn’t for this week in history, for Good Friday, which in reality is the worst Friday mankind has ever known, and if it wasn’t for resurrection Sunday, than NOTHING would have the ability to be made NEW!

I have many “new” things to write about. I have a beautiful granddaughter who just turned five, and entered a new Year with more excitement, joy, and enthusiasm than I’ve ever seen! I have a new home that is nothing less than a miracle and gift from God! I have a new ministry alongside my Husband which is the call on our lives! I have a new chapter in my life as I look to God for His hand of significance on me in this more “mature” season of my life.
But today, this Tuesday, the Tuesday that walks the steps historically through the last week of Jesus’ life here on Earth, the only thing “new” that holds any significance at all is that of the new life that God gives me and you through the sacrifice of what Jesus did on the cross!

The Friday that preceded the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ on Sunday, was a dark day in history. Dark, not only in the spiritual sense as our Savior was misunderstood, rejected, mocked, beaten, and tortured by the cruelest means by crucifixion on a Roman cross, but also dark physically. History recounts on this day the failing of the sun to shine mid-day. The shaking of the Earth in a violent earthquake and the tearing of the veil from top to bottom in the Holy of Holies. The veil hung as a shield between the presence of God and His people.

But the glory of the cross and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ demolished the need for the separation. Through the sacrifice of the cross, a Holy perfect Savior, Jesus Christ, paid the price once and for all! For my sin and for yours, and allowed us direct communication and relationship with God the Father!
My past, ALL of it, the good, the bad and the ugly, and your past, no matter how good, no matter how bad, and no matter how ugly is made New through the cross of Jesus Christ!

Do you find yourself in a place of gratitude at the realization of what Jesus did for you at the cross? Then tell Him! Use your life like a “thank you card.” Smile at others, let His light shine through you without having yo say a word! Extend His grace, even when it isn’t deserved! Show the world that the love of Jesus is the opposite of the world’s definition. Jesus brings unconditional love! Not love that is shown because it is shown to us, but a love that loves at ALL times!

Proverbs 17:17 says,
“A friend loves at all times.”

Did you catch that? At ALL times! When it is deserved and when it isn’t. When it is given in return and when it isn’t.

If you do not feel worthy of His love and forgiveness, YOU ARE. God speaks to you clearly through His Word in Romans, chapter 8, verse 11 which says,

“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, He will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.”

If you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you are made NEW through the power of His resurrection! If you are a living, moving, walking, breathing child of God, then you are made NEW everyday through the power of Jesus’ resurrection from the cross! As the quote “Good Friday’s” come in your life, and you feel the darkness, sadness, discouragement, depression, doubting, fears, and unworthiness, remember it may be Friday…but our God makes all things NEW, and Sunday is coming!!!

Truth Bomb

The Spirit of God which raised Jesus from the dead lives in you and makes all things new!

This resurrection Sunday, Easter Sunday, step with confidence into the newness of the gift God gives you through His Son Jesus Christ!

Easter is all about becoming New!

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
2 Corinthians 5:17

Speak Truth Love

It’s SPRING and God makes all things NEW! Through the month of April I am going to be sharing on ‘God Making All Things NEW!” We follow a Faithful Father that loves us beyond what we can dream, think or comprehend!!!
It’s true, there are times in our lives when we go through difficult situations and we can not understand why. There are days that seem to never end! There are moments when we feel alone, afraid and confused. Those difficult times can cause us to question why our “GOOD GOOD FATHER” would allow us to go through such struggles.

Truth is, we may never know. God may graciously show us why after the process, but He also may not. So, how do we go through those tough times? How do we hold firm to our faith and confidence in God? And most importantly, how do we go through our trying times and continue to point others to our loving Father?

We remember that HE IS OUR GOOD SHEPHERD!

The first verse of Psalm 23, gives it to us in a nutshell…

“The Lord is my shepherd; I HAVE ALL THAT I NEED.” Psalm 23:1

I HAVE ALL THAT I NEED? What a minute God, do you not see this storm I am in the middle of? Do you not feel my pain, see my tears, hear my cries? “THIS IS NOT WHAT I WANT!”

“No, child,” He gently whispers, “I did not say that you have ALL THAT YOU WANT! I said that in me, Your Good Shepherd, you have ALL THAT YOU NEED.”

Our “NEEDS” verses our “WANTS,” that dilemma will get us into trouble every time.

So, sister, take it from me, read God’s tender words to you as He tells you HE IS YOUR GOOD SHEPHERD!
He will lead you into good and beautiful places. He will renew your strength when you feel weak. He will guide you and allow you to bring honor to His name, even when you walk through your darkest places. He will be ever close to you through it all, and you will not need to fear. He will keep you fed and steady with your enemies. You will overflow with His blessings in the middle of it all. His goodness and unfailing love WILL pursue you and never let you go!

Read these words and allow them to comfort you as if God’s own arms were reaching down, picking you up, and walking you HOME, just like a shepherd does with the sheep He loves.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close to me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of The Lord forever.”
Psalm 23:1-6

Truth Bomb

The Good Shepherd is ALL that we need!

We are loved and cared for by The Good Shepherd Himself. He promises to be by our side though each and every circumstance. He will hold us close, give us strength and never let us go!
And one day, we will live with Him FOREVER!

No matter what you are going through, cling to the Good Shepherd! He loves you so!

Speak Truth Love