Author - purposefulfaith

Know, God Won’t Fail You

November 14, 2023

Driving, I found myself amazed at the weirdest thing!

I know it sounds odd, friends, but isn’t it incredible that highway overpasses actually work? Think of it…three cars can drive directly above us, and yet, the overhead structures never collapse. They don’t buckle under the pressure. Even more, we have no fear of driving under them. We never think twice about their collapse. We know these overhead bridges are sturdy.

But, do we know God’s love is sturdy? Do we know His faithfulness is sturdy? Or, do we trust a bridge to be more faithful than our God?

“He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” (Ps. 91:4 NLT)

God’s promises keep and protect us; they are far more sturdy than any natural thing we rely on to keep safe.

Do we really trust God? Some of us are traveling down roads, yet we are turning back in fear, in doubt and in double-mindedness thinking that God’s way, God’s road, and God’s promises won’t work for us.

If that is you, this Thursday evening is an event you must attend!

I am having a 1-night workshop called, “Stand Strong in Faith — in the Gap of Not-Yet-Answered Prayers & Extremely Hard Times”.

During this workshop, we will:
1. Find practical tips and encouragement to stand strong in faith.
2. Ditch debilitating fear, doubt and worry; learn 3 practical ways to stand strong.
3. Regain trust in a God who is always-faithful.
4. Gain support and empathy from sisters who understand.
5. Pray for one another, as we trust the God who hears us.

Join me for a night of refreshment, encouragement and grace-giving empowerment.

Register here: “Stand Strong in Faith” Workshop
November 16, 2023 at 6:00 ET via Zoom.
*Recording available.
$25.00

Lately, I have been in awe of God. God IS answering so many prayers. Children are finding joy again. Job provision is coming in. Healing is showing up for people. I want to pray for you. I believe God will move powerfully on releasing fresh hope and that He will also show up on our prayers for one another during this call, too. I’m excited!

Let’s join hands together and find refreshment in the Lord!

Testimonials:

“Kelly is a great encourager! Her greatest desire is that you should know who the Lord created you to be and who you are as a daughter.” – M.R.

“Kelly brought light into my very dark world by demonstrating what the true love of Jesus looks like!” – D.P.

“Kelly’s “realness”, no matter the cost has helped liberate me from all the masks I carried. Christ uses her to powerfully deliver freedom in every conversation.” – S.A.

Even better, gift a friend in need with this session. It will change their life.

*Subscribe for all Purposeful Faith blog posts by email – click here.

When Fear Seems Overwhelming

November 8, 2023

purposefulfaith

faith, hope, No Fear

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I awoke. It was the middle of the night. Fear was tangible. Sweat nearly broke out on my brow…The weight of the world pressed on my chest.

Would everything work out? Will I be okay? Will my kids come out of this alright? Will God really come through? What have I done? Can I really trust Him now?

Laying there, with no voice but my own, I acknowledged how my mental trek was soon to become an unstoppable train wreck, leaving me in emotional ruin. I’d been here before. I know how mental agitation gives way to endless ruminations that speak louder than the consolation of the Holy Spirit. Undoubtedly, I was about to lose all semblance of control, as well as peace and sleep.

I was at a crossroad…which way would I go? Would I give in to more thinking, pondering, circling, rehashing, ruminating and figuring — or would I tell that demonic spirit of fear to leave me, putting these unruly thoughts to bed once and for all?

Maybe you’ve been there…Maybe you are there today. Maybe fear is gripping you, and your mind feels out of control with figuring things out. Maybe you have a child who has gone astray. A daughter who is on drugs. A husband who won’t stop drinking. A job that feels tormenting. A dream that seems impossible. A financial bank account that is in ruins.

Maybe the devil is knocking on the door of your mind saying, “God, won’t really do it. He won’t really help you. He won’t really come in time.” Maybe you are losing faith and hope that things can be different?

Is that you?

You know what I decided to do the night I almost mentally train wrecked? I put a stake in the ground. I said, “Satan, get out of here; I don’t want to hear you anymore.”

I shut his trap right on up! And, I went back to sleep. In the morning, I wasn’t bothered.

Dear friends, for some of you, the enemy has been talking your ear off. And, you’ve been listening. No wonder you’re agitated and not at rest. No wonder you feel full of fear and not faith.

But, no longer, sisters!!! The time is now to put a stake in the ground and tell the enemy you will not cower in fear, because you are going to stand in faith.

I want to share with you my battle-practiced, time-tested breakthrough strategies to stand in faith, when the world is crumbling on you. They work, because I’ve lived them, honed them, leaned on them, cried through them, and trusted God with them.

I’ve lived them through sickness, weakness, injury, hopelessness, difficulty, abuse, torment, and marital troubles. God has kept me going.

I am having a 1-night workshop called, “Stand Strong in Faith — in the Gap of Not-Yet-Answered Prayers & Extremely Hard Times”.

During this workshop, we will:
1. Learn 5 ways to stand strong in faith.
2. Pray in a way that disarms fear.
3. Know and rely on God in a way that gives you peace.
4. Gain support and empathy from sisters who understand.
5. Pray for one another, as we trust the God who hears us.

Join me for a night of refreshment, encouragement, and grace-giving empowerment.
Register here: “Stand Strong in Faith” Workshop
November 16, 2023 at 6:00 ET via Zoom.
*Recording available.

Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me.” (Jo. 14:1)

We do not need to live troubled; we have a Savior, Redeemer, Restorer, and Power far greater than anything we see with our natural eye.

Testimonials:
“Kelly is a great encourager! Her greatest desire is that you should know who the Lord created you to be and who you are as a daughter.” – M.R.

“Kelly brought light into my very dark world by demonstrating what the true love of Jesus looks like!” – D.P.

“Kelly’s “realness”, no matter the cost has helped liberate me from all the masks I carried. Christ uses her to powerfully deliver freedom in every conversation.” – S.A.

Even better, gift a friend in need with this session. It will change their life.

*Subscribe for all Purposeful Faith blog posts by email – click here.

P.S. I have an amazing email editor. Frankly, I’m horrible at grammar. She’s talented. If you need someone to help you with proofreading or editing, please consider Proofed by Pearl. For more information, visit: https://blinq.me/N95Try18DzzY

Enduring a Hard Wait? Gain Great Faith!

November 1, 2023

purposefulfaith

Contentment

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“Dad,” the girl said, while tugging her body forward, “I want to go in the deep end of the pool!”

“No,” Dad replied, gripping her tightly. “I can’t let you. I love you.”

“But, I want to…” She whined, sprinting forward like a hamster in a wheel, though going nowhere.

A handful of her shirt was clenched in his fist. He had her, stable.

Frustrated, she thought: Why won’t Dad let me go where I want to go? Why is he holding me back and keeping me stuck? Why won’t my own daddy give me what I want — what I know I should have?

The dad, though, clenching her shirt, knew the truth: the girl was two years old, she couldn’t swim and had eyes too big for her current ability. She needed more learning before she could go swimming.

And, while the little girl thought it was his meanness or coldness holding her back, Dad knew: it was His love protecting her and guarding her. It was His love that had designed an appointed hour — an hour of joy that would come one day, as she was released in the deep end, with all her learned abilities flourishing.

Sisters, many of us think God is holding us back, holding back His hand or holding up our prayers. Many of us think His meanness and coldness are hurting us, when it actually is His love keeping us. Friends, it is not that God doesn’t want you to thrive. I believe He wants you to more than survive when He moves.

God is God; He knows better than what we think and figure…is good, is the right timing, is the best way, is the answer, is how it should happen, is when it should happen, is what it should look like…

Will we trust Him? And, will we yield to His appointed hour? His teaching? His leading? His timing? His way? His growth process in us?

God is not out to hurt us; He is out to love us.

What we think about what He is doing can be the difference between depression and excitement, between joy and mourning, between hope and defeat.

What will we do?

I know, in this hour, so many women are contending and praying for things they are not yet seeing. Sisters, I want to stand with you. I want to impart hope to your Spirit. I can only do this, because I stand in this place, too.

You can walk in complete peace.

This is why I am having a 1-night workshop called, “Stand Strong in Faith — in the Gap of Not-Yet-Answered Prayers & Extremely Hard Times”.

During this workshop, we will:
1. Find practical encouragement to stand strong in faith.
2. Ditch debilitating fear, doubt and worry, by implementing 3 practical ways to stand strong.
3. Regain trust in a God who is always-faithful.
4. Gain support and empathy from sisters who understand.
5. Pray for one another, as we trust the God who hears us.

Join me for a night of refreshment, encouragement and grace-giving empowerment.

"Gain Great Faith in Your Wait" Workshop

November 16, 2023 at 6:00 ET via Zoom. *Recording available.

$25.00

Sisters, I am so blessed to see God answer prayers. So many prayers are getting answered. Children are finding joy again. Job provision is coming in. Healing is showing up for people. I want to pray for you. I believe God will move powerfully on releasing fresh hope and that He will also show up on our prayers for one another during this call too. I’m excited!

Let’s join hands together and find refreshment in the Lord!

Testimonials:

“Kelly is a great encourager! Her greatest desire is that you should know who the Lord created you to be and who you are as a daughter.” – M.R.

“Kelly brought light into my very dark world by demonstrating what the true love of Jesus looks like!” – D.P.

“Kelly’s “realness”, no matter the cost has helped liberate me from all the masks I carried. Christ uses her to powerfully deliver freedom in every conversation.” – S.A.

"Gain Great Faith in Your Wait" Workshop

November 16, 2023 at 6:00 ET via Zoom. *Recording available.

$25.00

*Subscribe for all Purposeful Faith blog posts by email – click here.

Seeing Through Eyes of Faith

October 24, 2023

purposefulfaith

faith, hope, trials

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I sat on my friend’s floor, coiling a long telephone cord around my stubby index finger.

A high school boy had not called her back after she had tried calling him multiple times. I was interested to see how another person, rejected like me, would handle things. It felt good, in that moment to know that I was not alone. She was hurting too now. Misery loves company.

But, she didn’t indulge me how I wanted…her response threw me off. Rather than saying, like I would, “There must be something wrong with me,” she said, “Oh, he’s probably busy and will call me later.”

That surprised me. It wasn’t all her fault.

She didn’t believe the worst about herself…
She didn’t blame herself…
She didn’t think she was flawed…

Instead, she gave the guy the benefit of the doubt. She hoped the best and believed the best for him and herself.

And because of that, she side-stepped all the self-blame, self-hatred, and burdening personalization that I so shamefully and easily walked in.

How was it so easy for her to escape all that?

As she saw it, there was nothing wrong with her, but for me? It was all — ALL my fault.

I wonder if any of you are like me? How often do we personalize what likely has nothing to do with us, thereby heaping pain and self-blame on ourselves?

How often do we decide our kids’ walk is our fault? Our marriage is our fault? Our situation is our fault? People’s responses are our fault?

“Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].” (1 Cor 13:7)

We are to love ourselves. Do you doubt that?

God tells us to “love others as we love ourselves”, therefore, we are to:

1. Believe the best about ourselves
2. Hope there is a good future for ourselves
3. Endure up under ourselves with belief even in the face of our flaws.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Heb. 11:1)

Faith is all about what we hope for.

If we have no hope, we have no faith. If we have no faith, we turn off the faucet flow of the greater things God can and will do for us.

My friend had hope; I had none.

It’s no wonder I got an eating disorder and was ready to die. Without hope, all life dies. Faith can generate nothing new and life-giving.

But, in us, my friends, we have Jesus, the hope of glory! Which means there is always hope! There is always resurrection life power. There is always a new way!

A weekend ago, I spoke at a church, where Jesus came with radical power to heal people of sickness, mental illness, and pain. I have never seen anything like it. The women’s faith believed in the hand of a Saving God! And He came!

If He did it for them, He will do it for you! Have faith that what God has for others could also be for the likes of you, too!

Prayer: Father, you are great. You are mighty. You are able. You are maker. You have good things in store for those who love you. I cast off me for the receiving of you. I let go of what I am not, for the faith that you are bigger than me and my mistakes. I trust you. Life is not about me, but it is for the glory of you! So, today I lean on you and trust in you! You make all things new. You have things in store for me. You have good for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Receive Peace for Today

October 12, 2023

purposefulfaith

Contentment

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We’ve probably all witnessed this sort of person… They walk around the house, saying, “Now, where did I put those glasses of mine?”

Little do they know, the glasses they search for are on their head.

I’m the same way sometimes, I search all over the house saying, “Now, where did I put that cell phone?” Aggravation mounts as I go. I flip covers over. I dig into cabinets. I huff and puff.

Fifteen minutes later, I find my phone in my back pocket. What I was searching for, I had all along.

Many of us, in these days, as love runs colder and colder and as offense explodes stronger and stronger — may feel troubled. Troubled by how people are treating us, agitated by what is happening around us, disturbed by problems mounting on us, intimidated by an enemy that won’t stop coming at us, and afraid of all that might happen to us.

This leaves us asking, “What has happened to our peace? Where has it gone?”

Yet, what if what we thought we lost, we’ve had all along?

Jesus said…
“Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]” (Jo. 14:27 AMPC)

Friends, just like glasses on our head or a phone already in our back pocket…Jesus has already left us peace. It is ours. We own it. We have it. We walk in it. We talk in it. It is in us.

So, what gives?

Dear ones, it is not happenings that separate us from peace; it is our belief that happenings separate us from it. Which will we believe — that Jesus has given us peace that we can keep, or that everyone and everything has power to take it away?

When we see ourselves as immovable in His peace and love we will not be moved. Say not today, “where has my peace gone?”, but instead say, “Thank you Father, that Jesus has given me peace. I receive it and will walk in it today, by His grace.”

Then, when problems come, wholly lean on the Prince of Peace, through prayer, to guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Believe that His peace is coming to you!

Without faith it is impossible to please God. (Heb 11:6)

Prayer: Father God, I ask that you increase my understanding and conception of the Peace of God within me. I thank you for this peace Jesus has given me. I am anxious for nothing. Instead, I pray to you and thank you for the peace of God that transcends all understanding. May it guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus as I receive it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hope for Your Day

October 3, 2023

purposefulfaith

Contentment

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Don’t lose hope in the Lord.

Think of the woman at the well. She had no reason to hope and every reason to feel hopeless. She trudged in the heat of the day to that well. Just doing her day’s duties. Just trying to make it by. She knew she was a woman, and a Samaritan at that. It didn’t help that she had so many husbands. She was unacceptable. Unwanted by people. An outcast. No reason to hope.

Little did she know, though — one was coming for her.

Scripture says, “But He (Jesus) needed to go through Samaria.” (Jo. 4:4) Another translation says, “it was necessary.”

Why was it necessary?

Because He wanted to encounter her.
Because He wanted to change her situation.
Because He was ready to set her free.
Because He saw what she was going through.
Because He had a plan for her.

Friends, Jesus pursued her when she felt like the least of these. She didn’t call out. She didn’t read two chapters of the Bible. Perhaps, she had told God her heart and problems. And, guess who showed up on the scene? Jesus.

Today’s post is short, but the point is vital: Don’t lose hope! No matter what you are going through, Jesus is coming. In fact, He is already there, right with you.

If it’s hard, then turn toward Him and receive His heart for you. He cares! There is ample grace for you right now. Keep believing!

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:4-7

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Grounds for Love

September 20, 2023

purposefulfaith

Contentment, faith, hope

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I could not get the coffee grounds in the trash! The way my husband tightly packed the grounds into the tight quarters of the machine made removing them impossible. Ugh.

I asked him to pack the coffee into the machine lighter, so it would all fall easier into the trash, but…we all know how it is…life gets busy, mornings get going and coffee is not a huge deal in the grand scheme of life. So, those grounds continually were packed super tight, making it an impossible annoyance to throw away on a daily basis.

Grr…

And, while coffee is most certainly a first-world problem, don’t we all know? It’s often the small things that create big annoyances that have power to topple many dominoes over in our day.

Ever been there? One thing sets you off to be annoyed, then you react to another, which makes something else happen — and you find yourself somewhere emotionally that you don’t want to be?

I needed wisdom on how to handle this. God’s wisdom.

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17)

The wisdom I got? I decided to empty out my grounds each time. So, instead of leaving my grounds in the coffee machine for him to empty, I emptied my grounds. And, guess what happened? I set a precedent. In turn, he emptied his grounds.

I didn’t have to say a word.
I didn’t have to nag.
I didn’t have to tell him what to do.
I didn’t have to get angry inside anymore.

I just set an example in love and he responded in same.

I am writing this post today, because I got the feeling that some of us are fighting battles in words, when God is calling us to show love through our deeds. Some are angry at others for what they are not doing, when God may be calling us to do something new. Many are fighting battles God did not call us to fight, when He wants to bring our justice. Others are using anger as a weapon, yet anger never leads one to righteousness (see: James 1:20). A group is waiting for them to change, while every day banging their head against the same wall.

Here, I ask: What is the Lord calling you to do? What is wisdom saying about how to handle this problem? What is understanding leading you to do through a sincere heart and love?

There may be another solution to your hard problem.

While this coffee story is so simple, it is emblematic of our greater issues that lay at hand. There is no greater testimony than a living one, one done through a heart of service and love.

“Love never fails.” (1 Cor. 13:8) Love is the highest wisdom and understanding we can ever have. Let’s use it and see it work.

What is love calling you to do?

Father God, I thank you that our highest calling is to love. Show us how to love and what it looks like in our hard problems. Lead us in your love. Empower us not to be offended, agitated or angry. Make us into living testimonies that shine your glory and grace far and wide. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Adventuring with God!

September 11, 2023

purposefulfaith

Contentment, faith, hope, Love & Health

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The boat turned off course. What was going on!? Two minutes ago, we were cruising down a clear water channel, one where I could see for what seemed to be miles. Now, out of nowhere, my boat was crashing into some reeds. Tall ones, I might add. We couldn’t even see beyond the boat’s bow.

Would we be okay? Would we hit land?

Ironically, I didn’t think either of those thoughts. What I thought was, “Wow! This is exhilarating!”

I loved…
the wind flying my hair a mile a minute…
the horsepower of the boat propelling us beyond ordinary…
the brute speed turning charted lands into uncharted ones.

Now I was getting somewhere! Now I was really living!

We were pioneering new lands! We were going where man had not gone before.

Something in me came alive. Why? I am not meant to live an ordinary life, but an extraordinary one, in Christ Jesus.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

What if I lived like I actually believed that? Believing every calling and purpose of God for my life was possible? That God really would give me every bit of providence, sustenance and horsepower I needed to do His will? That the beaten track, the boring, ordinary and commonplace, could be ditched, in order to move out on a thrill ride — His new course, as I follow Jesus, just like the disciples?

Is Jesus calling you? Is there a new attitude, new land, new friend, or new role that you feel nudged to move into? Is there more abundant giving, more adventurous international going or new ways of relating that He is beckoning you into?

Ditch the ordinary and find His extraordinary! Don’t let complacency or convenience connive you into boring living! There is nothing worse than living Groundhog Day on repeat; it makes a soul lose luster.

Friend, get going — in following Him.

Jesus is calling. You can do this. He will help you. All things are possible with God.

You don’t need to know the way — for HE DOES!

The thrill of the ride, the joy of your heart and the land of promise — is only found as you adventure with God. Grab His hand and walk with Jesus!

Prayer: Father, thank you that you are in control. As we let go, you take hold. As we cast our cares on the Lord, you handle them. Please give us bravery, boldness and strength to follow Jesus. Please give us your empowerment from Heaven to do all you have for us to do in this life. We want to obey and follow you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Avoiding a Hard Heart

September 2, 2023

purposefulfaith

faith, Holy Spirit, hope

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Friends, let me start by saying…I DO NOT have it all together.

I got this message loud and clear when, two days ago, I pulled a steel crab pot out of the Chesapeake Bay waters. My catch of two weeks’ worth of crabs made my pot heavy. I knew if I used all my weight and if I leaned back hard, I could leverage the steel pot up, hopefully without launching myself over the dock. So, I did just that.

Victory.

Exasperated, I leaned back for a second and stared at the fruit of my labor on that weather-worn dock. What did I see? It suddenly occurred to me: Hard-shelled, violent creatures fighting one another, claws out…

They were relentlessly aiming to eat each other alive.

Upon reflection, I wondered — is this me? Have I become hard-shelled?

“God, I know what I am doing. I have this handled.”
“God, you should have come through like this.”
“God, I shouldn’t be here.”

Or, hard-shelled with family members?

“I must defend myself.”
“I’m right.”
“I can’t receive what they’re saying, because their motives are off and this threatens who I am.”

I can’t help but think that my hard shell blocks out not only people, but also the voice of God. Who can hear with mufflers on. Hard shells muffle God-sent voices.

Hard shells also make fighters out of people. Everyone is a threat. Protection creates isolation in that person’s life.

I want none of it.

Today, I soften down. I haven’t come to be right in this world, I have come to be soft, to be real, to love others no matter what it may make exposed and vulnerable within me.

What about you? Where might you need to soften? Where might you need to ditch the cover so God’s voice can penetrate your heart?

Prayer: Father God, I thank you that you are my Protector, Provider and Keeper. I ask for grace and power to trust you more. I ask for help believing you when I feel afraid. You are my God. You are my Lord. You are my Protector. You are a stronghold and a fortress. Let me lean on you when the going gets tough. Equip me for this, even right now, Father. In Jesus’ name.

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Admitting What is Hard to Admit

August 15, 2023

purposefulfaith

faith, grace, hope

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Hey friends — I was on the 700 Club this week talking about Take Every Thought Captive! I hope the segment blesses you. Watch here.

BLOG POST:

I knew I was wrong. But, changing course and admitting wrongdoing, I knew, would hurt too much to do. Why? During the whole course of the discussion, I defended my position adamantly. I was so sure. I made myself out to be a saint with all the right answers…but now? Now that I was beginning to see the light of my error? Grr…

It’s embarrassing to feel caught and exposed. Like a wild animal caught in a cage, flashlight probing its eyes, all one can do is stand there, not sure of where to go. Like this animal, I paced around in my mind, considering what to do. Will this person still think good things about me? Will they berate me after I admit: I was wrong? Will my opinion still be valued going forward? Will I have to radically change — and, can I even make this change?

Sometimes, it’s easier to deny wrongdoing than to admit it. Sometimes, it is easier to keep pride than to give away ego. Sometimes, it is easier to maintain your sense of self than to die to the flesh.

I think Nicodemus, when talking to Jesus, may have understood these feelings.

“Now there was a certain man among the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler (a leader, an authority) among the Jews, Who came to Jesus at night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know and are certain that You have come from God [as] a Teacher; for no one can do these signs (these wonderworks, these miracles—and produce the proofs) that You do unless God is with him.” (John 3:1-2 AMPC, emphasis added)

Nicodemus said, “We know…you have come from God.”

This means, there was more than one Pharisee or religious leader who knew the truth about Jesus — but, they were not saying anything!

If the Pharisees “knew” why keep it a secret? Why not come out and say, “This man, Jesus, is from God?” Why not announce, “Only one from God can do the works this man does!?” Why not tell all, “Certainly, God is with this man”?

There is only one reason, much like the reason I had for not speaking up — pride.

Pride that thinks:
If we are wrong about this man, what will the people think about us?
If He is from God, what will we mattter anymore?
If all know that God is with Him, how will we have to change?
If He is more than us, what will happen to us?
Pride kept the Pharisees from fully receiving Jesus.

That’s what pride does. It keeps us from admitting, receiving and confessing truth, even when we blatantly know it is true. Pride makes us preserve our flesh rather than die to it. I wonder, how often has pride caused you to deny, rationalize or to hide away because you don’t want to get hurt?

Friends, I know pride. I know what it is to want to stay safe. I, probably like you, have been hurt in the past. Yet, I know this — when we are honest, we free ourselves. We free ourselves from shame, from fear, and from circular mental traps. Remember, it is only the truth that will set us free.
The Pharisees full-out denied Jesus out of pride. It is easy to point the finger at them, but how often do we do the same thing?

What truth, may you need to admit, in that hard moment, even though it feels like it may kill you?

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” (Jo. 3:30)

Prayer: Father, forgive me of my pride. Give me the power to decrease so that you may increase. Just as Jesus died to Himself, help me. Just as Jesus laid down defenses, help me. Just as Jesus humbled himself, may I do the same. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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