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4/28/2018 0 Comments God's Promises Background Photo: Whitby Handbags This is one of my favorite verses and I love these promises from God restated in first person by Let Other Things Go . Perfect pre-Sabbath reflections. What are your favs? 1. … for the Lord my God will be with me, wherever I go. Joshua 1:9 2. God will keep me in perfect peace if my mind is ‘stayed’ on Him. Isaiah 26:3 3. “I (the Lord) will never leave you or forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 4. “[your name], I am with you, always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 5. The peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 6. He cares for me. 1 Peter 5:7 7. I will do even greater things than Jesus did, because He went to the Father. John 14:12 8. If I remain in Him and His words remain in me, whatever I ask will be given to me. John 15:7 9. The Holy Spirit will guide me into all truth. John 16:3 10. The Holy Spirit will give me the right words when I need them. Mark 13:11 11. In this world I will have trouble. John 16:33 12. If I seek to live godly in Christ Jesus, I will be persecuted. 2 Timothy 3:12 13. I am justified by Him, freely, by His grace. Romans 3:24 14. I have peace with God because I’ve been justified by faith in Jesus. Romans 5:1 15. I have access into this grace. Romans 5:2 16. There is no condemnation on me because I am in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 17. The Holy Spirit will help me to pray. Romans 8:26-27 18. All things work together for my good. Romans 8:28 19. Nothing will separate me from the love of Christ. Romans 8:35 20. I shall bear the likeness (and resurrection body) of Jesus, the ‘man from heaven.’ 1 Corinthians 15:49 21. My labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 22. God has created good works for me to walk in, today. Ephesians 2:10 23. I am being transformed into His likeness. 2 Corinthians 3:17 24. God won’t let me be tried or tempted beyond what I can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13 25. God comforts the downcast, including me. 2 Corinthians 7:6 26. God is able to make all grace abound to me, so all my needs will be met. 2 Corinthians 9:8 27. I am worth (to God) more than the birds that He feeds. Matthew 6:26 28. God will supply all my needs. Philippians 4:19 29. God won’t forsake me (the righteous in Christ) nor have my children become beggars. Psalm 37:25 30. God’s grace will be sufficient for me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 31. I will reap what I sow. Galatians 6:7 32. I have an inheritance. Ephesians 1:14 33. I have been brought near by the blood of Jesus. Ephesians 2:13 34. I may approach God with freedom and confidence. Ephesians 3:12 35. The Father has qualified me to share in the inheritance of the saints. Colossians 1:12 36. Christ now is in me! Colossians 1:27 37. God is faithful and will sanctify me. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 38. God will repay with trouble those who trouble me. 2 Thessalonians 1:6 39. God has given me a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 40. I have a crown of righteousness awaiting me, because I long for His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8 41. God won’t lie to me, because God cannot lie. Titus 1:2 42. Jesus will help me if I’m tempted. Hebrews 2:18 43. Varied trials will lead to my maturity. James 1:2 44. If I ask for wisdom from God, He will give it to me. James 1:5 45. If I ask, God will provide it. James 4:2 46. If I resist the devil, he will take a hike. James 4:7 47. If I draw near to God, He will draw near to me. James 4:8 48. Prayer is effective (note: my organization values effectiveness). James 5:16 49. After I have suffered for a little while, He will strengthen, confirm and establish me. 1 Peter 5:10 50. A new heaven and earth await me, called the ‘home of righteousness’. 2 Peter 3:13 51. He forgives and cleanses me as I confess my sins to Him. 1 John 1:9 52. When Jesus re-appears, I’ll be made like Him. 1 John 3:2 53. God has given me eternal life. 1 John 5:11 54. I am a present possessor of eternal life, which is mine in the present tense verb “have.” 1 John 5:13
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4/28/2018 0 Comments World Changers We spent yesterday morning doing all the things and jumping through all the hoops all the people tell us we need to do to do all the things the world convinces us we should value and strive for. And then we closed the evening with a @balletmagnificat performance. It was a beautiful expression of worship through dance, telling the story of second chances and God’s lavish love that pursues us. But the very best part was after the performance ended. Every dancer in the company came to the front of the stage, worshipped, and invited people to come and have them pray for/with them. Young girls, older women, moms, aspiring dancers slowly walked up to a dancer. They embraced, listened, a prayed. What an incredible example of using the gifts God had given them. I’m still inspired this morning. For now, we are IN this world. There is nothing wrong with doing the things we must do to grow and enhance our gifts. But at the end of the day, we remember we are not OF this world. We belong to God and our true home is with Him. Every good and perfect gift is from above to glorify Him. Here’s to chasing after things of Jesus more than things of the world. “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind...” Romans 12:2a “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” Matthew 16:26 “As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 4/22/2018 0 Comments I love you too Background Photo: Guitars for Glory Today at church our pastor talked about how awkward it is to say (or watch someone say), “I love you,” and get a response of “thanks” or “you’re a great person” or crickets. Worship is our way of responding back to God. Our way of saying, “I love you too” in response to His love for us. I’ve written about this before, but I used to daydream during the worship music...waiting for the main event; the sermon. But I now know the worship is so important! I pray quietly for God to empty me of me so I can be filled with Him. I pray to leave all my to-do lists and distractions at the door, and to be completely open to the Holy Spirit entering. I pay close attention to the lyrics and soak them in. And I can rarely hold it together. I almost always cry as I feel the beautiful presence of the Spirit. I’m so grateful for worship time to prepare me for the Word and to praise and thank God. What is worship to you? I would love to hear! Happy Sabbath, friends! ❤️
4/20/2018 0 Comments The Lord is Good...a Refuge Background Photo: @hallemadeleine and @romaboots The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. Nahum 1:7 I don’t recall ever studying this verse in the past, but it has come up three times in the past three days. So I’m just going to leave it here and reflect on God speaking it to me. What truth of God has popped up repeatedly in your life recently?
4/19/2018 0 Comments She believed... She believed HE could, so she did. A little twist on the often quoted, “She believed SHE could, so she did.” My DID will increase exponentially when I put my belief in HIM.
4/18/2018 0 Comments Reckless Love Background Photo: Jars of Hope Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me You have been so, so good to me Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me You have been so, so kind to me Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah When I was Your foe, still Your love fought for me You have been so, so good to me When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me You have been so, so kind to me And oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine And I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah There's no shadow You won't light up Mountain You won't climb up Coming after me There's no wall You won't kick down Lie You won't tear down Coming after me There's no shadow You won't light up Mountain You won't climb up Coming after me There's no wall You won't kick down Lie You won't tear down Coming after me There's no shadow You won't light up Mountain You won't climb up Coming after me There's no wall You won't kick down Lie You won't tear down Coming after me There's no shadow You won't light up Mountain You won't climb up Coming after me There's no wall You won't kick down Lie You won't tear down Coming after me Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine And I couldn't earn it, I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah • Reckless Love @coryasbury @bethelmusic
4/17/2018 0 Comments Time: Wasted or Worship How much time wasted, prayers left unspoken, God assignments missed. While we scroll to kill time on the device that logs us in with a bite from an apple. Into the temptations of the devil’s toolbox unleashed with that first bite in the garden...lust for things, pride, comparison. Taking all that is intended for good — community, connection, celebrations — and distorting it for destruction and shame. Here’s one thing we can do: grab a lock screen and save it as our background/wallpaper. When we instinctively pick up our device to scroll, we can have a beautiful reminder to stop, focus on seeking God first, and taking a moment to pray. Below are 21 different free lock screens I found online that might work. Hopefully one or two will be encouraging to you. Let's do this!
4/13/2018 0 Comments I'll sit with you... Background Photo: Mustard Seed Marketplace Hard times are inevitable. Stepping me out is risky. Heartbreak will come. Failure is real. Health will fade. Loved ones will disappoint. But when God sits with us through it, we will be okay. The only One who really knows what we need is the only One who can provide it and the only One who will never leave us or let us down.
4/11/2018 0 Comments Do not be afraid Background Photo: JOYN Do not be afraid. Easier said than done. We can't will ourselves unafraid, but the opposite of fear is faith. Where we fall short in shrinking our fear, we can make up for by increasing out faith. Staying in the Word. Praying. Practicing trusting God...strengthening our faith muscle, even if a little at a time. 4/10/2018 0 Comments Lay it down...for good! Background Photo: Imani Collective Yes! Why is laying down so hard? And when I finally go there, why do I go back to pick it up again? Oh, how I prevent myself from moving on when I keep picking back up the old! God, _______________ is at Your feet. I want to lay it down for good. Forgive me for all the times I've run back to scoop it up. Give me the strength and courage never to run back again.
4/7/2018 0 Comments In God's Timing Background Photo: Remedy Road When God gives you a vision for something are you quick to act...ready to GO? You want to start and see it come to fruition immediately! Or, do you retreat in fear? Cover your ears. Doubt what you heard from God, rehearsing all the reasons why You. Just. Can’t. Do. It. It’s just too big; too hard. Or maybe you swing between the two, leaving you exhausted and confused. God sees all the pieces. He sees all the outcomes. And His timing is perfect. He only lets us in on the portion we need to know in the moment. There is so much more. Good things take time. The process and waiting are part of the plan. The Bible is full of callings from God that require a simultaneous do + wait. So hard! Praying for peace as you go, and as you wait. ❤️🙏
4/5/2018 0 Comments Without Change Background Photo: Give4Purpose constant permanent abiding changeless consistent continuing enduring eternal immutable imperishable invariable lasting perpetual unchanging unfading unfailing
4/2/2018 0 Comments You. Are. Worth. It! Background Photo: Toad & Co Clothing and Better Life Bags How can we make sure everyone KNOWS this? To know without a doubt that Jesus died for all of us. For me. For YOU! For your best friend and even for your enemy. Not one person ever created is not worthy. No one! Nothing disqualifies you. Not your past, not your dysfunctional family, not what was done to you or what you have done, not your terrible mistakes, not your current sin pit. Nothing takes you outside of His sacrifice. Because it isn't based on what we do. And it wasn't even a tough call for Him. We were all created in His image and likeness. He is the essence of what love is and what love looks like. He doesn't require us to pull it all together first. In fact, what He wants is for us to admit that we can't without Him. You are worth it! All you have to do is accept that you need Him! That is good news!
4/1/2018 0 Comments Empty Tomb Background Photo: Matthew Hahnel for Sackcloth & Ashes Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” the three women talk among themselves as they gather up all of the spices to give Jesus the preparation for burial He didn’t properly get. They never expected to find the tomb empty. It was the end of a good run with a good man, but it was over. Their beloved Jesus was gone. They would never see Him again. To their surprise, when they approached the tomb, the stone had been rolled back. I wonder what the women were feeling as they made their way into the tomb...Were they cautiously entering full of fear? Were they excitedly rushing in? Were they full of hope that maybe He had risen as He said? Were they angry thinking someone had taken Him? The tomb isn’t empty, but Jesus isn’t there either. Instead, a young man in a white robe was sitting in the tomb. “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” The stone was rolled away not to let Jesus out, but to let us in. God is so good to let these women, who stuck with Jesus till the bitter end, SEE that the tomb was empty. And not only that, but the angel says they will get to SEE HIM. Steven Furtick says, “The tomb may have looked empty…but it was full of hope, potential, possibility and new beginnings.” The empty tomb isn’t the end of a story, but a new beginning. Jesus WAS crucified, but He IS risen. The women GO to the tomb. They didn’t have a plan; they didn’t have all the details figured out yet, but they went. They are told NOT to BE AFRAID. This is shocking and unknown territory. God knows it elicits fear of what is to come, and He says, “do not be alarmed.” The angel sent by God invites them to COME and SEE the place where He had been laid. To come and see for themselves that He was, but is no longer, there. They are instructed to GO and TELL the disciples. They can’t linger long in the empty tomb or keep this incredible news to themselves. They must go and tell others. And in the going, they are told they will SEE HIM, just as He promised. It was a new beginning for the three women. It was a new beginning for the disciples. It was a new beginning for the kingdom of God. It IS a new beginning for us. We need to GO; to take action to seek Him, despite our doubts. We need to COME and SEE; to examine truth for ourselves. We need to GO and TELL other what we’ve discovered. And most of all, we need to MEET HIM; to personally experience Him. Tim Keller says, “If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that He said; if He didn’t rise form the dead, then why worry about any of what He said? The issue on which everything hangs is not whether or not you like His teaching, but whether or not He rose from the dead.” Come and see for yourself. He has risen indeed.
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