Can you imagine how stressed Mary must’ve been whenever it was time to give birth to Jesus? I’m sure she was unsure, scared, maybe a bit frazzled…. And then to make things more complicated, there was no room for them. 

Luke 2:6-7 tells us “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”

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There wasn’t a guest room available for them? Where was Mary supposed to deliver her baby boy? Can you imagine the panic? Can you hear the “what are we going to do?” that Mary asked Joseph. Do you think Joseph was cool, calm, and collected? Or was he panicking as well? 

There was not room for them, but there was a stable nearby…. I do not think it was a coincidence that the stable and manger were there. 

God knows the end from the beginning, and He made sure there was an enclosure nearby for Mary to deliver the Messiah in. The manger being there was not a coincidence. 

There are plenty of examples of this throughout the Bible. Another example is Zacchaeus climbing a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus. God made sure the tree was there long before Zacchaeus would climb it. 

As we go through life, we often wonder if there is a way… or if God will make a way. Whatever season you’re in, regardless of the situations you may go through, God makes a way. Our God is the God who parts waters, extinguishes fires, provides mangers, and plants trees. He heals cancers, sicknesses, provides, and protects. No miracle is too big for God. 

God will make a way when there seems to be no way.

As we come into this week of Thanksgiving I want to encourage each of you to truly reflect on the time you give to praising and worshiping our Lord! The holidays can get so busy that I think we can sometimes lose our fellowship with the Lord, but really praise and worship are a daily essential in our christian walk.

“I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name I will lift up my hands.” Psalm 63:4

When I think about how faithful God is to me, I can’t even comprehend not falling on my knees and lifting my hands in praise to Him, but I will confess that there are days that my praise and thankfulness are not what they should be. In times of busyness, like during the holidays, I find my focus can be filled with anything but genuine praise. It is times like this that I need a heart check because true worship comes from the heart. When I get distracted with the worldly side of the holidays I lose my fellowship with the Lord.

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13

How encouraging though, to be reminded that even though I may get distracted, God is still faithful. He is always willing and ready to give us mercy and grace. He forgives us when we get busy and too invested in things of this world. Thank God that we have the Holy Spirit to draw us back and remind us that God is worthy of our praise and thankfulness!

So I just want to encourage you this holiday season to stay in the word, pray without ceasing, and be obedient to the guidance of the Holy Spirit! As soon as your eyes open every morning take a moment to praise and thank God for His blessings. Even during hard times we need to trust that He will care for us and sustain us and all of our needs.

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.” Psalm 100:4

Some friends and I were talking about hurts and struggles and hard things a few weeks ago and one pointed out that in the midst of it all I still have noticeable joy. She got me thinking and praying about how my joy comes from my hope in God. So maybe you’re in the midst of hurts and struggles and hard things too. I hope this finds and encourages you. 

We live in a broken world full of broken people. And broken people tend to break other people. That might look like a broken heart, a broken promise, broken trust, or broken dreams. Just to name a few. 

But unlike how a broken bone is visible to others and invites them in to your suffering, this kind of broken is often only seen and felt by the broken one. It’s consuming. And crushing. And suffocating. And heart-wrenching. Again, just to name a few.

But I’m here to tell you that God sees.

Believe me when I say I stand on the ledge of brokenness, close my eyes, stretch out my arms, take a deep breath, and hope to fall sometimes daily. And if you can’t believe that, I point you back to the fact that brokenness isn’t something people walk around with on display with a bright colored cast wrapped around it. It’s rarely seen. 

But God sees. 

And in Him, our broken doesn’t have to mean hopeless. That doesn’t mean we’ll never be broken. It means we have hope in our brokenness. 

He’s the hope that climbs up and meets us on that ledge. He’s the hope that takes our closed eyes and says look at me, I see you. He’s the hope that takes our outstretched arms and wraps his love around us. He’s the hope that takes our every breath and breathes life back into us. He’s the hope that is there to catch us every time we feel like falling.

And if nothing can ever take our God from us, then our broken can never take our hope. 

And that gives me joy.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:”

Psalms 103:2 NKJV

I have a sweet friend who oftentimes quotes this verse in prayer. It has made me be more grateful for His benefits, but maybe more importantly to put those benefits to use in my life. 

The benefits I receive as a follower of Christ are too many to name. Unlike the promises of the world that are empty and lead to destruction the benefits I receive as a believer are life giving. 

Here are a few of my favorites, grace, mercy, salvation despite my sin, peace when chaos swirls, joy in the midst of heartache, strength when I am weak, a complete suit of armor for daily battles, a Tutor that helps with the instruction manual, and a huge worldwide family of brothers and sisters to live, serve, fellowship and go into battle with. 

The Lord tells us not to forget. He knows we get overwhelmed. He knows life can be hard.  He wants us to remember that He loves us and has a plan for us. Thankfully His benefit package has been in place since He created the world and it overwhelms me to think of all the generations that have depended on the same promises. He is a good, good Father. 

Lord in the midst of all the crazy help me to forget not Your benefits. 🙏🏻

A few months ago I decided to get a pre-vacation manicure. Against my better judgment I agreed to allow the technician to do a gel manicure. My nails looked beautifully flawless for vacation, so initially I was happy. Then, after a few weeks, it was time for the polish to come off, and that is where the trouble began. After the process to remove the polish my normally thick and healthy nails were left damaged and thin. They looked terrible and even my attempt to cover them with plain polish was only mildly successful. 

 

Now, my damaged nails are growing out and slowly being replaced by healthy ones. I was looking at my slowly transforming nails one day, seeing the stark difference between the old and scarred versus smooth and new as they gradually grew out. I realized I was looking at a visual representation of how slow healing often is. This transformation I was witnessing on my hands was not so different from the one that occurs in our minds and hearts when we heal from past hurts. 

 

About a year ago I started therapy and the first thing we did was uncover the past. I was there to have a better future, a healthier mind and heart going forward, and I didn’t want to look back at the past. “I’m not here to talk about that,” I thought. But, as we exposed broken thought patterns and the roots of some of my unhealthy ways I began to see why it’s important to remove not only the source of the trauma but anything we use to cover it up. Over time, through therapy and Jesus, I have learned to break the cycle of harmful thought patterns and overcome the past. Healing my mind and heart is a process, and still in progress, but I can see it happening as clearly as I see the change in my fingernails.

 

We all need healing. Most of us are guilty of bad behavior from time to time, maybe more often than we would like. We lose our tempers with our loved ones or repeatedly make the same irresponsible decisions and either attempt to cover up our mistakes, or will our way into better choices. Sometimes the way to think and act differently today is to look back. Find out what is behind our sin and struggles, where and why they started. The hardest part of healing might be exposure, because we have to reveal the ugly truth to ourselves and others. But, just like a vain attempt to cover damaged fingernails, hiding and beautifying our wounds does nothing to heal them. Once the past is known and understood, a new way forward can be revealed. Eventually, with care and new growth, wounds are healed. 

 

Healing is slow, sometimes hard, and might even be painful in the process. We try to curate our hearts with self-help, self-soothing, and self-control, but there is only one true cure for our suffering: the love of Jesus. And, sometimes therapy helps us to understand and apply that love a little better. If you find yourself repeatedly struggling with the same thing, maybe it’s time to get help in exposing the root cause, removing any unhealthy covering, and finding a new and better way forward. 

 

Who/What is your shepherd?

A few years back our small group did a study on Psalm 23 and if I’m being honest, I wasn’t too excited about it, “Psalm 23, so cliché, I want some meat and potatoes” I thought. Little did I know it would become one of my favorite and most meaningful studies to date.

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

What encouragement. The psalmist, David, wrote Psalm 23 while in the Judean wilderness. I don’t know if you know much about the Judean wilderness, but it’s not filled with plush green pastures and still waters; it’s a dry, barren, desert land. David knew that regardless of his circumstances, when He was allowing the Lord to shepherd his life he didn’t have to worry, he could live from a place of rest and restoration, a place of comfort and confidence, knowing that not only would he be taken care of and provided for, but that the Lord would restoreth his soul and lead him in paths of righteousness for his own namesake. What encouragement, the Lord is never going to go against his word because he cares too much about his namesake; that to me is extremely encouraging and something to stand firm on. David knew that even though he might walk through the valley of the shadow of death, he wouldn’t fear because his Shepherd was providing for and protecting him.

Do you feel like you are living from a place of provision and rest? Do you feel like you are in plush green pastures, beside still waters? Or do you feel like you’re weary, exhausted, and living in a dry and barren desert land? Do you feel like your battery is on overdrive, unable to tell up from down with no time for genuine renewal?

Very quickly into this study, I realized I was not living from a place of restoration in Jesus, I was exhausted, spent, and quite frankly at my breaking point in almost every aspect of my life. I came to realize that in that season, the Lord was not my shepherd. Work, kids, expectations, and performance was not only shepherding my life, but it was sucking every ounce of life out of me.

As we prepare for the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, let me ask you, who or what are you allowing to shepherd your life? Let’s not allow the expectations of modern-day life to Shepherd us, let’s be intentional about allowing the Lord to Shepherd us. When the Lord is our Shepherd, not only are we able to live from a place of rest and restoration in Jesus, but there’s protection, provision, and confidence in the person and work of Christ.

Written by Britnee Barnes

“In him [Jesus] we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭11‬-‭14‬ 

The Lord has been speaking to my heart about the inheritance He has given us in His Kingdom. A few weeks ago, I read “The Parable of the Two Sons” found in Matthew 21:28-32 (if you have time, go read it!).

The sons were asked to work the ground of their own inheritance, to better their own future! As sons and daughters of God, through Jesus, we have been given an inheritance in the Kingdom of God, and we can choose to work the ground of our own inheritance.

It’s both a future and a present reality! We haven’t reached the full inheritance, but Ephesians 1:14 tells us that the Holy Spirit has been given to us as a “down payment” of our inheritance. How do we “work the ground” of our inheritance? Read the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 5, 6, and 7! Jesus lays out the reality of His Kingdom on earth—a Kingdom that seems upside down to the world. A Kingdom where the least is the greatest, where we turn the other cheek, where we die to ourselves to truly live.

I don’t deserve His mercy or grace, I don’t deserve His love, but still, He chooses to not only love me but to give me a part in His Kingdom. 😭🙌

The word intentional means “ done on purpose; deliberate.”

I looked up what it means to be intentional, and this is what google told me: making deliberate choices to reflect what is most important to us. 

For Christians, what does this mean? 

Let’s first ask, what is most important to Christians? 

I would guess the Bible, prayer, worship, community, family, relationships, serving, stewardship, etc.

So if these things are assumed to be most important to Christians, according to what we can know from the Bible, then these are also things Christians should be intentional about, right? 

Well, Christian, are you? 

I can say that I fall short often, very often. I do love my Bible and prayer and worship, all those things, but in the day to day am I really being intentional about it? 

Am I really being intentional with my Bible time? 

Am I really being intentional with my prayer life? 

Am I really being intentional in my relationships?

Am I really being intentional in my serving, giving, stewardship? 

Ask yourself the same question, and be honest.. 

In this world we live in it is so crucial to be intentional in these things. Because what does being intentional produce? It produces a strong believer, and that produces a Gospel sharer, who then produces a disciple maker, who then produces a seed planted in so many people. And that produces a lot of people worshiping our God. 

Christian, be intentional, all for the sake of the Gospel. 

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Romans 12:1-2 

Have you ever felt like you’re just on the verge of a breakthrough? You dove in head-first propelling yourself in the right direction, and now you’re teetering just on the edge. You can feel the pressure building as you approach your next step and something happens to interrupt your momentum. Maybe something unexpected happens in your life, you start to grow weary, or you begin to let doubt creep in and cause hesitancy.

As liquid is poured into a container and approaches its maximum capacity, the molecules will hold tightly together creating a natural resistance called surface tension. The more the container is overfilled with liquid, the stronger the surface tension needed to contain it.  At the most basic level, surface tension can be broken by two things: continued movement, and a greater external force. 

The pressures of the natural world will try to keep you contained in a place you’ve outgrown. Let facing resistance serve as confirmation that you are right where you need to be and headed in the right direction. James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance”. 

Keep pushing! Keep moving in faith, and keep praying! Your breakthrough is just on the other side. There is no limit on heavenly things, God’s supply can never be exhausted, and He will never fail to supply enough and more. 

2 Corinthians 9:8 says “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work”. Just like David in Psalm 23, acknowledge that God is greater than the resistance you face, and let His abundance overflow your cup. 

Lately, God has been revealing strategy to me as part of His character. The things He purposes are part of His game plan because He sees the end from the beginning and therefore He isn’t just a step ahead but rather (at least) ten steps ahead! His focus is not on simply that present moment or even months in the future but years and years and years ahead.

Hallelujah! 

And this is a character trait of His that runs all throughout the Bible. God uses strategic moves in hearts, placement of people, and even in situations or circumstances.

I was really aware of it while I was reading through Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther a few weeks ago. It was reminding me just how strategic the Lord is when it comes to His plan and faithfulness. In the context of time for when these books are taking place, this is after captivity to Babylon. God strategically moves in the heart of king Cyrus to allow the rebuilding of the temple. Nehemiah is strategically placed as a cupbearer to a king that God grants him favor with to allow him to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Then we have Esther; Queen Vashti gets dethroned which allows Esther to come in as queen at such a crucial time for the Jewish people as there would be a plot against them. While reading through Esther, there was a certain moment that really stood out to me that I had not paid any attention to before: Haman had it in his mind and heart to get rid of Mordecai – Esther’s family member – but before he could go forth with this plan, there is a night the king is unable to sleep. As sleep eluded the king, he has records read to him and Mordecai’s mindfulness of the king in preventing a plot against his life is mentioned. The king then wonders if anything was done for this act and it’s revealed Mordecai had not yet been honored which allowed for the king to then be ready to put it in place.

God was strategically looking out for Mordecai, defending him from a plot for his life, and also allowing for perfect timing.

THIS is the God we serve. One who intentionally and strategically has delays, places people, defends us, and orders every moment of our lives for a future only He can see. We may not understand why some things are happening right now, why God is moving us or allowing pain, discomfort, or simply a less than ideal situation in our life (and that’s probably a definite understatement), or struggling to be patient and frustrated with timing but God is actually setting up the scene for His future glory. “Let Him cook” so to speak haha. But in all seriousness though, trust His heart…and strategy. He’s got the victory!

“And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding.”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭2‬:‭21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.””

‭‭John‬ ‭13‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬