Jesus

The announcement

Back in the day, before we flooded timelines with baby pics, families would make announcements of baby arrivals in the local papers. In those black and white pages you could find families sharing all the details— parents’ names, baby’s name, gender, birth date, weight, length, and many times names of siblings and grandparents. It was like an invitation telling the whole town to join in on the excitement of the birth of their new baby.

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:8-11 KJV

This birth announcement we read in the black and white pages of the bible isn’t about a typical birth. It’s not just about parents bringing a child into the world; it’s about a divine plan that God Himself orchestrated.

This birth was announced 700 years earlier by the prophet Isaiah— “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” Isaiah 9:6

The announcement of Jesus’ birth surpasses as a simple birth announcement; it serves as a universal proclamation, resounding as both your personal announcement and mine. You and I can fill in the blanks with our names. “For unto _________________ a child is born, unto ______________ a son is given.”

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news.” The words of Isaiah 52:7 celebrate the messengers who carry these good tidings, proclaiming them on the mountains and beyond.

Today there remains the timeless call to share the news far and wide. Christ’s birth serves as a reminder that we are all welcomed into the extraordinary story of redemption— a divine orchestration revealed in His arrival.

Go tell it on the mountain

Over the hills and everywhere

Go, tell it on the mountain

That Jesus Christ is born.

What?

I want to begin with a question: what are you believing for? I’m sure all of us have been in or are in a season of feeling like you’re lacking in an area. Maybe you’ve been battling the thought, “the healing will never come,” or “I’ll never be able to catch up financially,” or “I’ll forever be stuck at this job I hate,” or “I’ll never be able to be a parent,” or “I’ll never have a loyal friend group,” or “I’ll never truly walk in kingdom things,” or….you fill in the blank. All of us need something whether it’s for ourselves or someone else.

In Matthew 14:17-19, Jesus & His disciples face an abundance of need. They need to feed 5,000 plus people & all they had was 5 loaves of bread & 2 pieces of fish from a little boy’s sack lunch. Jesus tells the boy to bring the food to Him, He raises it up to heaven, blesses the food, & God performs a miracle! Every person in the crowd was fed AND they had leftovers. Wow! Jesus believed for multiplication & because of His faith, the Father multiplied the food & thousands of people got to see the glory of God. I want to ask you again, what are you believing for? Let your faith arise! Refuse to be inconsistent in your belief system & faith.

Our Father owns a cattle on a thousand hills, HE KNOWS NO LACK. ”Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.”“ Psalms 50:14-15 . Thankfulness moves the heart of the Father & it helps destroy a lack of faith & disbelief.

Be blessed!

Never Forget

All because of love, God gave us The Greatest Gift of all.

John 3:16 “For God so ‘Loved’ the world, He ‘gave’ His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Love is sometimes that we feel, but it is always shown by what we do.

These last few months have been a little difficult, some life changes had to be made that required my time, a lot of thought, and energy. I’ve been overwhelmed and have had a few meltdowns that I have not always handled with grace or mercy.

Making some hard decisions that would alter life for someone that I love, not knowing what I was doing, but just trying to muddle through the best way I knew how. Even in doing all I knew to do, it never seemed enough.

Realizing that I could not do it alone, I finally gave it to God. He has answered multiple prayers during this time, and His love has shown through friends and family that have randomly called and texted just to say that they loved me and were praying for me.

The last few weeks John 3:16 has been repeatedly going through my mind,

For God so loved He gave, He gave it all because He loved, and His love is revealed in the giving of His Son. We learn in this Scripture that we are the object of His love as He has given of Himself to us. He didn’t just feel the precarious situation of a fallen world, He did something about it. As we follow Christ, we can tell people about His love, but when we show them by our actions, that’s what will make the greatest impression.

“Love is the do part of faith, love is never stationary, love doesn’t just keep thinking and planning it, ‘Love Does’ – Bob Goff

Love cannot be shown by words, love takes action.

John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His Glory, the Glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

May we never lose sight of ‘The Reason for The Season. We have received the very best Gift that God had to give, His Son, and we as Christians have the opportunity to unwrap that Gift everyday as we pray, read His Word and reveal His love to others.

Merry Christmas

Gratitude

November is the month where most people concentrate on giving thanks all the way up to Thanksgiving Day. On Thanksgiving Day there is a high possibility most people go around the table and say what they are thankful or grateful for or if nothing else an attitude of thankfulness is present in some way or another. Today is the day after Thanksgiving and we are nearing the end of the month of “thankfulness”. We are getting ready to shift our minds to the busyness of Christmas and all that comes with it, but let’s all just stop now and remember our thankfulness and gratitude should not just be a seasonal thing but a part of our daily lives.

Do you ever wonder if there is a difference between being thankful and grateful? I mean they usually just go hand in hand.

Both are most definitely an intentional choice. The definition of thankful is the expression of gratitude, especially to God, for us christians. It is an earnest and thankful prayer expressing gratitude and relief.

Gratitude is the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and return kindness. So I know it’s a bit of a stretch but to me I feel like to be thankful is a feeling and to be grateful is more of an action we can take. It is a way to show thanks for the things we have been blessed with and in turn we bless others. This is pleasing to God because being thankful and then showing gratitude is a part of God’s plan for us. When we have a true relationship with God, He actually expects it of us.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Thessalonians 5:18

So how do we show God our gratitude? We should walk in love. We should live in peace and forgiveness and use every breath that we have to praise God. He wants us to spread His word so that no one should perish without Him. We need to show compassion and humility and be patient and gentle with everyone we encounter.

When we have these characteristics we as christians will draw people in. People see and want to know more about why we have peace, thankfulness, and gratitude in our lives even in the midst of trials and tribulations we may be facing.Have you ever been having the best day and encounter someone who is constantly negative and critical? It kind of brings your mood down a little, right? That is why we have to choose to walk in gratitude and be mindful as to not turn someone away from the gospel by our attitude in the moment.

When we have a spirit of thankfulness and praise to our Heavenly Father it produces Godly actions that others can see.

Remember we have a Creator that created us to carry out His plan. He created each and every one of us for a unique purpose. We belong to Him and when we let His peace rule our hearts we should have nothing but gratitude. Our hearts will be full of love and we will want to tell everyone that we cross paths with. If this doesn’t cause you to want to scream Hallelujah then nothing will!! Praise God!!!!

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:15-17

When

November. It’s the month for thankfulness.

Do we know the power our thankfulness holds? Truly?

The story of the feeding of the 5,000 is a beautiful example.

I don’t know if you’ve ever been responsible for feeding thousands of men, women, and children who were hungry, but I can only imagine the amount of resources it would take to accomplish the task. Jesus and the disciples were presented with five loaves and two small fish as the only source of food to be found amongst the crowd, and their reactions were stark in contrast. The disciples said, “This is all we have! What are we supposed to do?!” (Luke 9:13-14 paraphrased) I have to be honest, I’d be in panic mode just like they were, because that amount of food wouldn’t feed my family of five let alone five thousand. However, it’s not the heart of the disciples we are aiming for…It’s Christ’s.

What did Jesus do when presented with an overwhelming need that he could have allowed to consume him? He gave thanks for what was provided. He could have responded the same way his disciples did. He was human after all. But, He didn’t. What did Heaven do in response to His thanks?

The Father blessed and multiplied the loaves and fish! The disciples saw and focused on the lack of their ability to successfully provide a meal for everyone there that day. And while Jesus saw the same thing, He knew the Father could do much with little. He didn’t focus on the little they had but rather what He knew the Father could do with it, and He was thankful. His thankfulness was the key that unlocked the door to the miracle that happened that day.

When we are thankful for what we hold and have trust for what HE holds, there’s no limit to what we will BEHOLD.

For a reason

As I fought the first day of school traffic to park my car in the staff parking lot where I knew it would remain until the sun went down (because…first day of school, right?) I sang along to one of my favorite songs by All Sons & Daughters called “Great Are You, Lord.” I guess the Holy Spirit was showering me with all the warm fuzzies He knew I needed before I faced another school year full of high school freshmen (bless it) because I was FILLED with the Spirit! If you drove past me that morning, you. are. welcome. for the concert I was giving on Highway 69 South–windows down, hair blowing, singing at the top of my lungs, “It’s your breath in my lungs, so I pour out my praise to You only! Great are You Lord!”

As I found my parking spot, God spoke to me in ways I can understand that I was not to waste my day. He gave me that breath in my lungs for a reason. He led me to what is likely the oldest Psalm that Moses himself wrote when he was wandering around with the people of Israel in the desert. He may not have spent his days with hormonal teenagers all hyped up on too much caffeine and still learning the intricacies of personal hygiene, but at this point in his journey, he was surrounded by a nation of people who were hangry because they had been eating manna and quail for far too long!

In the 90th Psalm, Moses begins by expressing the fact that God always was, always is, and always will be; then He contrasts this with the fact that we are mortal and that our lives are but a blink of an eye in light of eternity. As I’m sure Moses was surrounded by complainers, moaners, and groaners, he confessed to God that he was aware of the fact that they were all miserable because of their own sin! He also describes the lives of an entire generation ending during their time in the desert because of that sin. Psalm 90:12 in the Living Bible translation reads, “Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should.” Watching the end of an entire generation of people, and knowing that he, too, was living on borrowed breath, Moses cries out in verses 14 and 17, “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days….May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us–yes, establish the work of our hands.” In view of life’s brevity, Moses asks the Lord to fill His people with wisdom and to reveal His work, demonstrate His power, grant His favor, and make Israel’s labor successful.

Friends, I am the first to admit that I get grumpy during a crazy school day and tend to moan and groan about paperwork or meetings. But that morning, God hit me square in the nose with the fact that this life on earth is far too short to waste that breath he gives me each morning on complaining about things which have no eternal relevance! He prepared the work He has given to all us in this life long before we drew our first breath! Let’s not waste it! Let’s spend time with Him each morning! Let’s ask Him to establish the work of our hands so that it might glorify Him and bring us joy! Let’s find God in every conversation throughout our day and ask Him to reveal his purposes for us in every task! When we face trials or troubles, let’s remember this world is not our home and that they are only temporary! Let’s thank God for that breath and ask Him to fill up our lungs with joy and praise for the One who is worthy of it all!

Fill the bowl

Filling up the bowl.

This is a phrase I use often when it comes to praying. Sometimes I have to remind myself that my prayers are being heard and that eventually, the answer will come. In the meantime, I’m filling up the bowl and at a set time, it will be poured out.

It comes from Revelation.

“When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.”

Revelation 8:1-5 NKJV

This thought carried me through last year when my sister was in an extended and unexpected stay at the hospital. I knew many prayers were going up from numerous people and it gave me faith that the more that went up, the sooner her healing and recovery because the bowl was filled faster. It was a constant request in that season.

I fail to be so diligent in my own prayer life. I fail to make requests with others. I fail to bring matters before the Lord with such persistency or consistency. This was a needed reminder.

And it occurred because of a silent Sunday service at church. As I sat there experiencing this holy hush, I thought of heaven being silent for half an hour. My spirit was stirred in that pew with excitement — God was up to something BIG! Correction: God IS up to something big. Our prayers are tipping the bowl. The pour out is happening. Heaven and earth are stirring.

Our moments or seasons may be filled with silence, but the heavens are shaken. I’m finding more and more that it’s in those quiet times, those moments heavy with a hush, the seasons of silence, that God is working the most. Our hearts continually crying out in those seasons, filling up the censor, an incense before the Lord.

But how often do we remain so desperate in seasons that aren’t silent? I know for me personally, I’m not likely to push through as much when it’s “mountaintop” moments with the Lord. I ease off. But I should continually be entreating the Lord. For His promises to come to pass, for salvations, for healings, for guidance, for His presence, for His will.

This reminder to keep praying set an excitement and expectancy in me. A desire to keep seeking, asking, knocking. Where I was weary, I am now encouraged to press through. The prayers are filling up the bowl. Where I was once disheartened with time, I am now expectant for God to have perfect timing and at peace knowing He is lining it up even now. It will be poured out. Where I was once disappointed, I am now excited to see His hand having guided it along the whole time. There is a fire to the prayers that bring along a preparedness for when the time comes. Things are moving.

It’s beautiful the way He works!

So, my friends, may I encourage anyone who is weary or disappointed or discouraged to pray without ceasing — in the high or low. Your Heavenly Father is listening. It’s joining with others prayers as well and others join along with yours. What a beautiful thing to think and picture in our minds! Like smoke rising up, our prayers are lifting up. Like a bowl being filled with water, each prayer a drop. And when many voices are lifting up a certain situation, name, desire then it’s a downpour in the bowl. How exciting!

Be encouraged.

Keep asking.

Keep seeking.

Keep knocking.

The door WILL be opened to you.

New Year, New You

New Year.

New You.

Am I right!?

I’m certain God has spoken to you about the 2023 journey that we are all about to take. I’m certain He has placed God-sized dreams on your heart – ways to help His kingdom grow and thrive. If He hasn’t yet just keep praying. Be patient. He will.

He needs you, girl.

Now, here’s where the devil is gonna try and get you.

In “your” thoughts.

In “your” hang-ups”

In “your” own self-consciousness

In words.

In his words.

Because guess what – if God said to do it then you can in fact do it. You can bet your bottom dollar that the devil knows it. And that ol’ devil will try everything he can to stop God’s plan.

God will equip you. He will give you everything you need. He will get the job done.

You are the vessel.

He is the captain.

Trust Him.

Now, get ready.

Brace yourself for the storms. When God sends you on a trip, storms will be brewing. It’s inevitable. Most of those storms will be merely words thrown at you by yourself or by others. Words are powerful like that.

I’ve had someone say to a room full of people about me, “She’s not as Christian as she claims to be.”

That mess is gonna happen ladies. People are going to talk about you. They are going to bring up your now and bring up your past. After all, they are human, too.

Don’t. Let. It. Stop. You.

And don’t let it get to you.

Don’t let someone’s else’s words stop you from doing what God specifically told you to do.

After all, whose words matter?

God’s or humans’?

And let me add this – don’t be a part of someone else’s storm. Basically, if you don’t have anything nice to say ……. you know the rest.

This year – face the storms.

Face the storms because you know the Captain.

And your Captain is a good, good God who wants to use you to further His kingdom. He knows your potential. He knows you can do it.

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11

Silent Obedience

The book of Acts is full of brave, honorable tales following the great Paul.

Paul’s conversion from murderer to missionary is prized and celebrated,

often overshadowing the obedience of Ananias.

The incredible, silent champion, Ananias.

God called average Ananias to seek out and speak to Saul, the infamous murderer.

Instead of making excuses or running in fear, Ananias responds, “Yes, Lord.”

He wasn’t distracted by the noise around him or fear within him.

He wasn’t concerned with receiving credit or glory.

He only wanted to obey God and impact eternity.

So, he followed orders, found Saul, and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Ananias didn’t walk on water, survive a furnace, or defeat a giant,

but his silent obedience set off a series of events that changed the world.

Ananias changed the life of Paul who planted churches and penned parts of the Bible.

So often, we believe that our service is ordinary and our obedience is unimportant.

The underlying truth is that Ananias was a silent champion who changed history…

and we are chosen to be silent champions too.

You were chosen for the family that you serve day after day…after day.

You were chosen for the classroom that you show up for every single day.

You were chosen to obey in every avenue and assignment that God gives.

✨That silent obedience often has the loudest echo.

The prayers you pray over your kids before bed every night.

The early mornings you spend reading your Bible.

The tiny ways you serve your husband.

The times you give and serve and love.

They may not be seen or heard by man,

but they are echoing into eternity.

I’m in.

Unpopular opinion here. I’m full of ‘em though.

Y’all, we are gonna have to get rid of our 2020 defeatist attitudes – and I’m talking to myself, too.

I’m serious.

This isn’t toxic positivity. This is reality. This is our reality – and it’s hard.

But we can do hard things.

We can do hard things because Christ did hard things, and He is living within us.

I guess what I’m trying to say is let’s make the best of a bad situation. You can be smack dab in the middle of the worst storm of your life and still have joy. This is illustrated all throughout the pages of the Bible – most beautifully modeled by Jesus himself.

Let’s be intentional about this.

Plan time to rest.
Plan time for recreation.
Plan time for therapy or venting to a friend.

But plan to have joy.
Pray for that joy.
Look up verses about joy in the Bible.
Meditate on those verses.

Today let’s plan to start a joy revelation.

I’m in.
Are you in?

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

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