Purposeful Faith

Tag - #grace

God, Please Help!

good father

When I was a little girl, we had the coolest way to wash our hands. We pressed a little peddle on the ground. This caused a water-fountain like flow to shoot out, in a circle of directions. It was a sprinkler in a sink. I loved it! The high arch of the water made me feel like I was washing in a rainbow. There was more than enough water for all us girls to circle around. There was a bounty of water for everyone!

It was fun.

I imagine this water sort of experience is what the woman at the well encountered too. There she was, all by herself in the heat of the day, with all those husbands in her past.

What did she see when she walked up to that well? Did she see a lack of good men…? The filth of her own mistakes…? All the friends she didn’t have…? Hatred for life she was living…? Her own future as an impossible case…?

And then comes along comes Jesus.

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” (Jo. 4:10)

(Meaning, she could access fountains upon fountains of all she ever needed, but never realized she wanted)

“…Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (Jo. 4:13)

(In other words, for her, this fountain would never run dry or run out)
15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water….”
And then, off she went, filled, like a jug, with living water, telling everyone, everywhere, all about the man who told her all she ever did. There was something in this water; she became the first evangelist. And, she was good at it!
The living waters this woman drank of — were abundant, resplendent, and calling-activating.

And, do we even realize it — the same waters are available to us today, my friends?!

“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (Jo. 7:38)

All the living water available to her is now made available to us.

So, how do we access it?

Oh friend, we take the time to drink deeply of God. We take a pause to soak in His word. We take what is naturally afflicting us and give it no more credence against a God who is all powerful…

I realize, some of us have experienced a time of lack, so much so that we can’t see the abundance of God anymore. I realize, some of us are so carefully looking at what God hasn’t done, that we can’t see what He is doing. I realize that some of us are so upset at ourselves, it seems we can’t receive God’s grace anymore. I realize some of us are so upset at a spouse, love feels impossible again.

So what? The flow of living water is so abundant, so plentiful and so filled with equipping power it can do anything — and everything — through you!

The fountains speak a different story.There is a deeper access point you can drink from. It is through the Spirit of God. It is via the flow of God’s true and real covenantal promises, His mercy and His love, regained, for you. It found in worship that comes from all your heart.

Then, like this woman, will you be able to say, “All my fountains are in you.” (Ps. 87:7)

The fountains of God are the empowerment of God.

When you access His flow, you will mean what you say and say what you mean. You will be filled to overflow! Your whole past will look different. Your future will have new gleam and glisten to it. Your God will excite you again!

Prayer: Father God, may You be the source of all my joy and all my life. May I continually walk fully found in You. May I overflow with the greatness of who You are and what You do. May I abound, in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Your Outlook Makes All The Difference

I sent a text message, then instantly deleted it.

My friend wrote, “Kelly, what do you need prayer for?”

My initial text answer was cliché, a rote response that seemed right. But, what was it that I really needed prayer for? I deleted what I wrote and paused. What do I really want? What do I really need? The more I thought, my mind traveled…

And, before I knew it, something caught my eye. I picked it up. All it was, was a piece of foil that someone in my family trashed on the table. But, when the light shined on it from the nearby window? What that foil looked like on the table was — a diamond.

Light changes everything.

In Ephesians, Paul prayed, “I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.” (Eph. 1:18 NIV)

Light changes things. Light makes everything look different. Light gives us understanding. Light tells us who we are — and demystifies who we are not. Light brings hope — and confidence that God has a plan. Light illuminates our calling. God’s light on our life is more valuable than any diamond.

Light is the aha-moment! It may make us say, “Wow. Now, I know what I need to do!” Or, “Whoa, I didn’t think about it like that; now everything makes a lot of sense.” Or, “Oh, I misunderstood everything that person was saying and now we can restore loving connection.” Or, “Oh my goodness, I know God is wanting me to love in this way.” Or, “Wow, God I understand Your immensity and sovereignty now!”

Light lets us see all things in life, in right order.

Where do you need the eyes of your heart enlightened so you can regain hope and confidence?

God’s light lets us see where – and how – He intends for us to go. It reveals His truth and His way.

I texted my friend and essentially requested, “Please pray that God illuminates my heart with His light so I understand His calling and what He wants me to see, through Him.”

Light gives hope and illuminates God’s best paths. It refocuses our outlook. It reframes our future.

Let’s pray: Father, open the eyes of my heart. Open my eyes so I can see what you want me to see. Open my eyes so I can regain hope and confidence in you and through you. Show me what you know that I need to see. Reveal to me real understanding of who you are and who I am in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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As You Think, So You Are…

My friend, about to get in the car loaded up with her boys, was saying final goodbyes to me, when I made a colossal verbal gaffe…

Wanting to please her son and connect with him, I advised him, “You know, if you had me as your mom, I’d take you, right now, out to the gas station and buy you a super yummy treat — whatever you wanted!”

The second I blurted these words, I wanted to take them back. Has that ever happened to you?

My words silently communicated to this son (and his mother):
I am better than your mom…
I have good things for you that she doesn’t…
I am great; my ways are the best!

The arrogance! I have no idea where this obnoxiousness came from.

“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jer. 17:9 NIV)

The deceit of our heart can impact the words of our mouth, if we fail to pause and use self-control. Our thoughts affect our words our words affect our relationships and our relationships impact the course of our life.

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…” (Prov. 23:7 KJV)

Do you know the thoughts of your heart? How are they directing your words? Do you speak in haste? Do you say what you don’t mean to say? Do you get angry easily? Do you give advice to people when you don’t want to? Do you speak critical, condemning or negative words?

Did you know the face of your world will change as the thoughts of your heart are transformed by the power of God’s grace?

I received God’s grace and apologized to my friend, immediately. I examined my heart and discovered a need to be loved. I don’t need man’s love, I have God’s. He completely accepts me. I repented and received Jesus’ grace to move forward in a new way. I took my thought captive.

You can too.

Tonight starts the 4-Month Take Every Thought Captive Coaching Intensive. This is a free training to help us all stand strong of mind during these times, to know who we are in Christ Jesus, and to be transformed so that we can discern God’s will in our lives! Again, this event is entirely FREE with a book purchase.

Get “Take Every Thought Captive”, then sign up here for the coaching program!
Also, did you know — achieving goals is far easier and more reachable when two gather together as accountability partners? Consider inviting a friend!

I am developing “Check-In Questions” that can be texted to help keep you accountable during the week. Build relationship and grow together. Simply forward this email and invite a friend to journey along with you. Two are better than one!

About the Book, “Take Every Thought Captive”
In Take Every Thought Captive: Exchange Lies of the Enemy for the Mind of Christ, author and speaker Kelly Balarie encourages readers to seize the power of God’s Word to not only profess truth, but possess it in their mind, heart, and actions.
Take Every Thought Captive helps readers:

• transform their minds and release the worries, burdens, and lies from the enemy
• pray through times of mental and emotional strife
• become warriors and fight for God’s plan and purpose
• use God’s Word proactively instead of living defensively and defeated

Prayer: Father God, I ask you to renew me in the pattern of my mind that I will be able to discern the perfect, pleasing, and good will of God. I know that I cannot do this in my strength, but I can do this by the power of the Holy Spirit. I ask for Your grace and power to do so. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Take Every Thought Captive!

It is the oddest thing. When I drink water, I count.

One gulp of water and I think in my head…1,2. Second gulp. 3, 4. Third gulp, 5, 6. Fourth gulp, 7, 8. Fifth gulp 9, 10.

Why do I think this way?

When I was a little girl, I was told when drinking water at school to drink only for 10 seconds. After finishing counting in my head, I was then to give up my fountain drinking spot and let the next kid go.

As a result of mentally counting, time and time again, I formed a neural pathway. Now, even though I am far older than an elementary student, I still count in my mind. It happens naturally. I count without even thinking of it. It just happens.

Many of us, have formed neural pathways (or, thought-tracks in which our mind is prone to think). We think a certain way and, because it is so engrained, we don’t even realize it. These thoughts have been with us since childhood, or for years, so we don’t even realize how we think.

What happened now informs our mind to what is happening:

Negative things happened as a kid, so we think bad things are bound to happen.
People hurt us, so we regularly think, “I can’t trust anyone.”
There wasn’t enough in the past, so we think, we will always lack.
Repeated friends hurt us behind our back, so we doubt anyone really likes us.
A father put us down, so we think God must not be that happy with us either.
We weren’t heard as a child, so we think God doesn’t hear our prayers.
We were rushed as a child, so we think, I’ve got to hurry so I’m not late.

Think about the thoughts you don’t think about anymore – thoughts you’ve been thinking for years. Do they line up with God’s truth? Are they excellent? Of good report? True? Biblical? Or are they lies? Negative? Full of worry? Doubt-filled?

How we think determines much of how we feel. Worry, fear, and unrest tend to be sourced from thoughts out of line with godly beliefs. Self-protection, insecurity and defensive mindsets lead to walls that block out great relationships.

Take Every Thought CaptiveAll this is, in part, why I wrote my newest book, “Take Every Thought Captive.” Friends, I need help!  This is why I dug into God’s Word to see how I could really put verses like these into action:

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Ro. 12:2 NLT)

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:5 NIV)

I wrote this book because I understood: If I want my life to track a new way (with new habits, new peace, and new breakthroughs), I needed to think a new way.

I couldn’t afford any longer to allow my thoughts to fall on a table like spilling spaghetti, going wherever they please. I couldn’t afford to react rashly, rather than responding calmly. I couldn’t afford to be emotionally insecure rather than identity-sure in Christ Jesus.

If I was going to live God’s Word, I knew I needed to own it in my mind, then I would not only profess the power of love, but I would possess it. Then, I could be a better mom, more fully do God’s will in my life, and have peace in life and in relationships.

What about you? How are your thoughts? Do you think about what is good or do you fear? Are your thoughts filled with God’s Word or with worry? Do you love as Jesus loves or do you usually react emotionally? To change our thoughts is to change our life! Plus, I have BIG gifts for you…

2 FREE Gifts/Awesome Opportunities for you:

1:  If you pre-order Take Every Thought Captive on Amazon (before April 11), and you fill out the form at www.itakethoughtscaptive.com, you will get a free copy of my e-book, “Battle Ready: Train Your Mind To Conquer Challenges..!”
2. If you join the launch team (which includes fun, gifts, community, sharing with others about the book, writing an amazon review), you will receive a FREE invitation to join my 4-month, bi-monthly, “Take Every Thought Captive Coaching Intensive!

Here, you will gain:

• Chapter-by-chapter instruction and help
• A 2-step methodology to transform your self-defeating thoughts into life-giving God-centered truths
• Equipping activations for mind renewal
• Accountability to change mindsets and habits
• Prayer support
• Teaching and wisdom from Kelly as we go chapter-by-chapter through the book
• Printable thought-tracker
• Group Chat & Prizes on the Book Launch Page
• Daily Declaration download
• Personal interaction with Kelly

Join the launch team today and get the help you need to transform your mind!

You are part of this book, my friend. Remember when I asked Purposeful Faith, what book would bless them? You all chose — this book! I would be so blessed and honored to have your help in launching this book with me. Plus, I would love to pray for you and to see your face on the Coaching Intensive week-by-week.

Prayer: Father, thank you for each and every person reading this blog post. Guide them in all their ways. I ask for you to renew and transform their minds in Christ Jesus. Help them to to think as Jesus thinks and to love as Jesus loves. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

1 Tip: Loving as our Greatest Calling

we all want

Valentine’s Day was super hard for me. Isn’t it horrible when what America has deemed a dream, goes all wrong?

On what is supposed to be a day of chocolate, kisses and love, instead, I ruined it all. My husband told me I should rest; I got offended. Why? Because I was sure of my plan. I already had it all road-mapped out. I had determination in my eye and resolve in my footing. So, when he essentially said, “Chill out,” everything in me wanted to protest. Which I did do…by the way (not that I am proud of it).

Offense and defensiveness are easy, aren’t they? We feel so entitled to hold on to our anger, our reasoning and our way. People just don’t get it!

At the same time, the other side of me knew: to be in offense delivers me straight out of abiding-connection with Jesus Christ and the empowering nature of the Holy Spirit.

“Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.” (Romans 8:5-8 NLT)

Offense is actually hostile, not only to my husband, but directly to God. Not only that, but it hinders me from effectively being controlled and led by the Holy Spirit. I can’t love people as well. I don’t bring peace. I am not led by the Spirit into things of life and purpose. I am not controlled or directed by the Holy Spirit. I am unpleasing to God.

Have you been crippled by offense? Has someone thrown you off track? Might you consider forgiving them for the greater gain of God? For the increase of being led by Him? No one is perfect. We are not and neither are they.

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34 NLT)

I have found out, the hard way, it is impossible to follow God when I am following my own emotions. I cannot successfully go forward by my own flesh, when only the Spirit leads to life. A mind of offense automatically supersedes the Mind of Christ.

The way of God is the only way.

Speaking of finding their way of God…there is good news!  So many who attended the “What’s My Calling” Workshop, discovered their calling. Glory to God! They heard heard from God  and got wisdom in walking in His ways.

If you wanted to attend — but did not sign up in time, it is not too late. You still may purchase the recorded version of “What’s My Calling?” by clicking here. I am confident you gain insight and clarity by attending.

Also, I got to thinking….maybe some of you already know your calling (to be a great mom, leader, businesswoman, non-profit leader). Maybe you just need encouragement not to give up and not to give in the enemy. I am putting together a “Encouragement to Love” support and prayer night. This will be a night of wisdom on how to fight the schemes of the enemy as we seek to love God and others. During this special night, experience encouragement in breakout groups and personalized prayer support. The cost is $25 which will help cover platform fees and will also be a personal blessing to me and my family. Even if you are still seeking God in your calling, this will be a great event for you! Find yourself surrounded by personal support and with sisters who love you.

Come join us!

I expect this to be a super encouraging night! We will hear mini-messages, breakout in support groups and receive personal prayer.

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From Bothered to Blessed

reconstruction zone

“I don’t like that cross very much, mom! I don’t really want it in my design,” declared my son.

My son was intent on having the perfect design on the Christmas ornament he was decorating online.

Considering his viewpoint, I, too, considered the cross on the screen. I could understand his viewpoint. On face value, there were gaps in each of the horizontal and vertical lines that made up Jesus’ cross. There were odd-shaped lines, protruding weirdly at the end of each bar.

But, at the same time, I knew my son was not grasping the full picture being portrayed. While he saw gaps, I saw something else emerge to make up the cross. And, I knew, what I saw may change his entire view and outlook on how he was seeing his design….

“Son,” I said, “Did you realize that this cross is not weird, but it is actually made up of the nails…. the very nails Jesus took on our behalf? Look closer…”

He did. And then uttered, “Wow, mom.”

He loved that cross, after having his eyes opened to see…

Sometimes, like happened with Michael, we see weirdness, things that look off, situations that appear all wrong, people who handle things incorrectly, time that looks wasted, moves that should have happened by now – but I wonder, if we look just a little bit closer, might we, instead of detesting what we see, come out seeing things we couldn’t see before? God’s goodness may be staring us right in the face, if only we look a little closer.

Just as Michael saw a botched design, I can’t help but think how botched up the people must have considered Jesus’ death on the cross. This is how The King of Kings would end things? This is what it looks like when God comes to earth? Nails and a whip? Death and shame? Embarrassment and ridicule?

But, a third-day view changed everything. Suddenly the one who was killed, the one whose life was considered washed-up, got lifted up, in glory! The one who was ridiculed? Now is ruling, in power from on high.

Jesus proves, there is now 100,000% no impossible situation for resurrection-life power, thanks to the always-working, ever-flowing goodness of the always-effective cross.

Jesus is not weak; Jesus NEVER falls from His throne. Jesus is not out of the office; Jesus never takes a time-out from His rule. Jesus is not absent; He does not become unaware of our heart, prayers and thoughts.

God has all power to raise anything up on the third day! My friends? Gain a hope and a new perspective in anything weighing you down.

Speak life to old dreams. Believe-the-best, rather than expecting the worst. Apply faith rather than walking in fear.

God hasn’t forgotten you; He is preparing you. God isn’t teasing you; He is strengthening you in your wait to trust His nature and character more than your flesh and rash reactions. Why? I believe, it’s so you can withstand any wind or torrent and so you can be as bold as a lion and as strong as a mature believer!

What annoyance can you now see Jesus in? What relationship is God allowing because it is about to bring profound glory to Him? What bummer let-down is really a divine set-up for a God-miracle?

See from fresh eyes. See Him. See the nails. See the cost. Love costs something. See the resurrection-life power about to come as you lay down your life and find His.

I love you very much. I am praying for you now…

Prayer: God, life gets hard. But, God, you are always good. Help us all to not only see your goodness, but to experience your goodness at work in the details of our day. Father? Fill our eyes, with the fullness of your ways, so we experience your resurrection-life power in all our days. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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When People Don’t Listen To You

we all want

Last night, I shared with my daughter, “Sometimes, I speak and you do not answer me at all. Sometimes I share something important and you don’t even listen.”

Frankly, these words I spoke to her were charged with pent-up frustration. You see, I have a short window to share wisdom with these children, and then they’re out in the big world, fending for themselves. I want them to hear what they need to know, before what they see is temptation, they don’t know what to do with.

Is this issue rooted in fear versus faith? Likely.

In any case, it’s been happening a lot in the car. I often get the reply of, “Mommy, I just want to look out the window.” Or, “Mom!!!!” My husband doesn’t speak up for me when it happens. So, I feel unloved, unheard, and unvalued when this happens.

Have you ever been there? Have you ever felt unheard and unvalued by those you love? Do you have important things to communicate that are overlooked at home or in the marketplace? Does it aggravate you?

It can be uber-frustrating and it can feel very personal when people don’t care what you have to say. I understand.

Do you want to know my daughter’s reply? She said, “Mom? Often, I don’t even hear you.”

Hmph.

Many times, when we’re offended, people are oblivious. Our feelings have no meaning when misunderstanding is involved. To us? We’re furious. To them? Oblivious. Misunderstanding, then, opens an enemy door in the heart of the offended one. The enemy of our soul seeks to make, us, the offended ones – more offended!

The only way out of misunderstanding is — conversations. Clarification. Asking. Understanding. Seeking. Listening.

In my case, my daughter didn’t mean to hurt me; she was just in her own world.

Yet, will there be other times when people don’t listen — and they should? How will I respond? How will I continue forward without harboring unforgiveness or anger? Without opening a door to the enemy who is trying to make me more offended?

This verse is something I can stand on: “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ro. 15:5-6 NIV)

Even when others don’t hear me, God wants me to hear His ever-flowing encouragement. He also wants to empower me with endurance to win, by the power of love. Through prayer, I am not left without God’s enduing-power to love, anyway. When I look to Him, above them, I get the help I need.

Not only that, but when I look to Him, above them, it prohibits the distraction of them to steal the joy of Him. I stay my mind with God, rather than getting it in the weeds of offense.

This is powerful. I do not fear man; I fear God.

We are powerful when you turn to conversations and intercession. Do not grow weary in prayer and well doing. God’s love for us will not fail, even when it feels that man’s love is failing us. Be encouraged.

Prayer: Father God I pray that you, “the God who gives endurance and encouragement” will give each and every reader the endurance to love and to forgive. I pray that we not walk by the spirit of offense so prevalent in today’s world, but that we walk by the Spirit of power, love and a sound mind. I pray that we will have the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ had. Christ laid down His life. God? Help us to lay down our lives too. Help us to love as Jesus loved. Unify your body, Father God. Help us to love with one mind and one voice. In this, we will honor you, Father God, rather than being distracted with quibbles. Help us. We need you. We trust you and we receive today, your enduing endurance power. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Never left Alone

take advantage

“You don’t understand.”

We’ve probably all thought this thought one time or another. Someone gives us advice that does not resonate… Another thinks we’re doing something that we’re not even doing… People misinterpret our motives or our words…

They don’t understand. We feel alone and by ourselves.

It certainly has happened to me in marriage. At times, I have said one thing and my husband has heard a whole other thing. I am misunderstood. I am sure that I misunderstand him too, sometimes.

In this case, when I feel all alone, it is easy for me to think, “Who is fighting for me? Who understands me?” It’s easy to sink deep down into a cave of sadness all alone and to believe that I have to: 1. fend for myself 2. make sure I am going to be okay 3. lick my wounds.

Have you ever been there too? Felt unprotected? Undefended?

This verse is encouraging, “But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.” (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

In tough moments, we can gain hope by remembering that God isn’t leaving us, but He is strengthening us. He isn’t unstable and unavailable, He is faithful. God is with us.

When the enemy sets schemes in relationships, even then, God guards us from them.

We are not left alone; we are protected.

When we don’t know what to do, Jesus intercedes for us (Heb. 7:25). When we don’t think there’s anyone fending for us we have an advocate in Jesus (1 Jo. 2:1).

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Ro. 8:26)

In tough moments, we can keep our thoughts and our feelings out of dark, isolating and mentally draining places by remembering: we are never alone because God is with us. Not only is God with us, but God is for us, too. He is actively helping us in whatever we are going through.

Prayer: Father God, I need you to fight my battle for me. I give up the fight, so you can fight on my behalf. Forgive me for believing that I am alone. Forgive me for believing that I am left behind by you in any way, shape or form. You are for me. Thank you. Jesus advocates for me. Thank you. You are with me always. Help me to remember these things in tough moments. Help me to put all my trust in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Dust off Hurtful Words + Carry on!

good father

When I walk, I am not scared of bugs. I know I walk above them. When I walk though my front yard, I don’t consider what bugs may be underground; I just walk. I am not afraid, I go! I walk above problems. I walk over scary things. I move, anyway.

To be above what lurks, is a big deal. It means you walk fearlessly.
Do you realize that we sit above the mayhem of the world?

“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus…” (Eph. 2:6)

“Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love.”

We are above what issues lurk below. We are above the world that demands constant attention. We are above powers and principalities of the unseen realm because we sit with Jesus.

Even more, we are “even above reproach”. Do you know what “reproach” means?

American Webster Dictionary defines “reproach” as : “To express disapproval of, criticism of, or disappointment in (someone).
Friend, you are above disapproval, criticism, or disappointment.

This is a big deal. It means that people can’t squash you with words. They can’t ruin you with bad actions. The old labels cannot stick any longer. You, my dear one, sit above that. You are over that, with Jesus.

All that cannot hold you back any longer!

Remember where you sit, my friend. Stay all your mind above all that — whether it happened yesterday or today! Give it no claim to yourself. Despise the shame, just like Jesus did (see Heb. 12:2)! You are “before Him in love”.

It means everything to be seated with Jesus! It’s a powerful position.

Prayer: I pray, today, I feel and experience the love of God. I pray that you open the eyes of my heart, Father God, to know the hope of my glorious inheritance and the riches in Christ Jesus. I pray that I gain understanding of where I sit and whom I am seated with. I pray that you give me power to live from that place. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Known for Love

It wasn’t what my Nana did; it was how she made me feel.

As the oldest of six kids, I was a like a second mom at home. I took care of my siblings constantly. I handled things, especially keeping everyone in check.

Nana would come and get me, though. She’d rescue me away, picking me up in her long white Cadillac. Along the way to her white country house, she’d pull into a rock drive, straight into my favorite place, Little George’s! It was a small convenience store marked by a huge pig out front!

“Pick out any candy you want, Kelly! It doesn’t matter how big it is,” she’d say.

Nana was like this, always giving (taking me shopping, getting me crabs at her house, finding the best corn for us to eat). Always showing up (making a point to get me). Always wanting to be with me (playing cards, making me clean her house – ha!, giving me ice cream).

Nana certainly was super generous, but — I will tell you — it wasn’t what she gave me that blessed me so much. It was how she made me feel. She was consistently patient, thoughtful and welcoming. She was that way with everyone.

Nana is gone now, but I still want to be like her. She never said a bad word about anyone. I tried to talk ill about her friend, who herself, was “a griper”. Nana stopped me. Ironically, that same day, fire ants went flaming up my leg at the lady’s house. It seemed to remind me that. . . mean words do bite!

Nana didn’t talk love, she showed it.

“Love is patient, love is kind.” (1 Cor. 13:4)

I want to be patient and kind in a world that is rushed and panicked. I want to be love, rather than constantly talking about it to my kids. I want to be kind even when things with my husband get tense.

I want people to know me more by how I make them feel, than by the Christianese I profess with my mouth. I’m not sure I’m there yet.

May they know us by our love. Jesus didn’t talk about love 24/7; He IS love. What if we were to love in such a way, people felt it in the fabric of their being?

Prayer: God, only you can help us love more. Help us to experience your love, to show love. Help us to walk in your grace, to release grace. Help us to live by you, to love by you and to walk away from mean words. We don’t want to just be professors of your word, we want to be possessors of it and releasors of it.

You say, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” (Jo. 15:4)

Help us remain in you, for then the fruit of love will come easy!

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