Category: dependence

Fashioned after God

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Genesis 1:26

We are fashioned after the image of God.

Created in the pattern of God Himself.

From your pinky toes to the hairs on your head.

From the tips of your fingers to the soles of your feet.

From your shining eyes to your intelligent brain.

Your entire being is created by God’s design.

Crafted after His imprint.

Look at all of God’s creation.

The trees and the flowers. The oceans and the deserts.

The lions and the otters. The birds and the bees.

The mountains and the beaches. The valleys and the hills.

God has created all of it. Yet, there is only one creation that mirrors Him: us.

We think, feel, plan, and create.

We love, sacrifice, serve, are sometimes disappointed and other times full of joy.

None other of God’s creation is so complex.

None other has built up our world with God’s creative brain.

And none other has a relationship with Almighty God.

Yes, the Bible says all of creation will bow down and worship (Revelation 5:13).

All of creation will praise His name.

Even the rocks will cry out if we do not (Luke 19:40).

Yet God has given us our very own choice: to serve Him or not.

To praise Him or not. To love Him or not.

As you spend your minutes here on earth, live in a way that honors God.

That honors the creation God made you to be.

Photos by Vitaly Gariev and Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Our Rescuer

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. Psalm 146:8

Know anyone locked away in a prison of their choosing?

Sometimes they know it. Other times they do not.

Prisons are erected using anything really.

Living from within yourself. Addictions. Unconfessed sin.

Mounting fear or anxiety, crippling your next move.

Longings of your heart never answered.

Holding too tightly to past pain, letting it define you.

Controlling everything and everyone because you know best.

Pushing others away so they don’t know the real you.

Prison walls can be short or tall, depending upon the length of your stay.

Sometimes a door will crack open, but often it’s shoved shut again.

Why? Prisons are safer than the real world.

Living for yourself is much easier than giving of yourself to others.

Keeping your pain close is comforting because forgiveness is too painful.

But prisons are lonely. Sad. And time only increases both.

The world offers keys like medication, counseling, and permission to wallow.

While these keys can work for a while, there is only One who can unlock complete freedom.

Only One who holds your final key.

And He is waiting on the other side of your prison door: God.

He patiently waits for you to decide you are ready. That you want freedom. He gives you that choice.

But once you choose, God promises to rush in with His love. It will seep through every crack in your heart.

God promises to rush in with His peace. It will calm your anxious heart, mind, soul, and body.

And God promises to rush in with His freedom from your prison.

God’s salvation from our sins is your first stop to freedom.

But God’s continued strength, wisdom and peace in your life will continue your journey to freedom as life unfolds.

Satan wants you to stay stuck or become stuck over and over with those same prison walls.

But God’s here to say no. He’s here to free you as many times as you need.

Allow God to move in your life. Allow God to take your brokenness, exchanging it for His life within you.

Step out of your prison, holding God’s hand. And never look back as you turn your face only to Him.

Photos by Egor Myznik, Dimitri Iakymuk, Eric Prouzet, & Everyday basics on Unsplash

Down, but Not Out

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

I trust in the Lord. I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul, and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place. Psalm 31:6-8

God has seen all of it. All of your hesitations. Your unbelief. Your drama.

God has seen all of your afflictions and distress deep down in your soul.

YET – He has chosen to keep you close.

He has chosen to keep you safe.

He has kept His commitment to you.

What afflictions are we talking about? What distress? The Psalm doesn’t say.

It could be literal physical sickness. It could be enemies surrounding the camp.

It could be death building within his heart. The affliction could be wrapped up in unbelief deep within.

But it doesn’t matter. The reasons don’t exist or matter because God chooses to keep his servant close.

He does not deliver him into the hand of the enemy even though afflictions and distress present themselves.

Not only does God keep him safe, he increases his safety by setting his feet in a secure place.

Making him even more secure.

This truth is yours, too.

Look around. God has protected you from so much.

You could have wandered away from Him, but here you sit.

He has protected your very soul from death!

The enemy is not victorious, but crushed.

God has won, is winning, and will win.

Thank Him for seeing your afflictions. The distress deep within.

And thank Him for keeping you close, raising you up out of it all.

How has God set your feet in a broad place, despite the afflictions of your heart?

Photos by Pascal Debrunner, Jordan Whitt, Ben Hartley, & Tim Wildsmith on Unsplash

My Declaration

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

Read this aloud for yourself and your family:

Jesus, You are in full control. I am giving up myself as I invite You to take full reign. I am not capable of loving my family on my own. I need Your love to love them fully. I need Your peace to reign in my home. I need Your strength to do all You ask of me. I am laying down myself, as I seek Your will instead of my own.

I give you my family. Guard their hearts, minds, souls, and bodies. Protect them from all evil. Draw them close to Your heart, as You surround them with godly influences. Keep tapping on their hearts, as they bend their will to Yours and Yours alone.

I give you my future. My hopes and dreams. Open the doors you have for me, and shut firm the doors against Your will. Align my desires to Yours and Yours alone. I only want to dwell within Your will for me, Lord. Burn any dreams that are not from You. Give me answers to the areas I desperately seek You for. Let me see Your purpose for me, Lord. Walk with me, hand in hand, as I continue to seek You and You alone.

I give you my time. My talents. My everything. As You reveal your plan to me, allow me to see Your purpose. Allow me to see Your timing. Allow me to see the point of why You have allowed certain things. As I sit with You this day, remind me of Your love. Remind me of Your promises. Remind me of Your identity fashioned just for me.

I love You with all that I am. With all that I have. With all of me. Amen.

Photos by riis riiiis, Chicago Cameraslinger, Hailey Tong, & Karina Syrotiuk on Unsplash

Ready my Hands, Lord

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hands. Psalm 37: 23-24

Are your hands open or closed?

Ready or resistant to all God has for you?

Are you holding onto your life with close-fisted hands, unable to see past your today?

Often, when we close our hands to God, we place ourselves back in the driver’s seat.

Back in charge we remove God from the throne, resulting in our closed hands. Our grip closed too tightly on how we see our future. Our todays. And our past.

Why do we close our hands to God?

Fear of change. We tend to love routine, yes?

Fear of making the wrong choice. We all want to follow God’s plan, yes?

But closing our hands to God points ultimately to fear of completely trusting God.

We cannot see God sitting next to us on the couch, but He is.

We cannot see God moving in our life, but He is.

We cannot see God going before us, clearing the way, but He is.

God asks us to live with open hands to Him, allowing Him to move us closer to His loving arms.

When our hands are closed, gripping our own desires, we become closed to new things.

Closed to what God has for us.

Closed to the beautiful future God plans for us.

Look back at the faithfulness of God in your life.

Look at the many details He’s given, providing proof He sees and knows you.

As you fully trust God for your life, open your hands.

Release your grip tightened around your will alone.

And ready your hands as instead God pours His life into you.

Photos by Milada Vigerova, Andrew Moca, Eugene Chystiakov, Cristofer Maximilian, &  Patrick Fore on Unsplash

Is This It?

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2

Ever wonder, “Is this it?”

You wait your whole life to grow up. To finally be on your own.

Time passes and life doesn’t turn out how you dreamed.

Haven’t met “the one” yet.

Yes, you love your job, but even that begins to get old. Redundant.

After all, it’s almost every day.

You enjoy the freedom to buy what you want within the confines of your budget.

But after a while, even that novelty begins to wear thin.

You search for a new hobby, landing on something great.

Lasts a bit, you meet some new friends, but again, after time, it gets old, too.

So you ask yourself again, “Is this it?”

Fast forward and you’re approaching your fifteenth wedding anniversary.

Yes, it’s been wonderful. The love of your life lives with you!

And the children are simply perfection. Except when they act soley within their flesh, which happens too many times in your opinion.

The monotony of this stage becomes routine and you ask yourself, “Is this it?”

Each stage of life brings this question. We think of the next part romantically, as if boredom or loneliness will not be our friend.

Yes. That’s the answer to your question. Yes, this is all this life has to offer you.

But the biggest piece of your life, making the most difference, is Jesus.

When Jesus isn’t the center of your world, life simply crawls by in dull excitement at best.

But Jesus fills the void our bodies were created with. A void that can only filled by God Himself.

Ask God to fill you. Ask God to walk alongside you each and every day.

As He dwells within you, humbly submit to His ways as He guides your every step.

Each day can become pregnant with fabulous possibilities as you focus not on yourself, but on Him and Him alone.

Instead of asking, is this it, you will be declaring, this is it!

Return your focus back to God. After all, life really is all about glorifying Him.

Photos by Jon Tyson, Ethan,  Darius, & Alex Shute on Unsplash

Carried Home

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15

Death comes like a thief in the night.

Often without warning.

Sometimes we have ample warning when holding our loved one, riddled with sickness.

But more often than not, life ends when no one is watching.

But God always is.

He sees our every breath we take.

He holds our days in His hands as He knows our past and future.

And when our days are done, He carries us to Himself, together forever with Him.

This comfort, for those trusting God for our salvation, remains when God comes for our loved ones.

God came for my husband’s brother today.

Unexpectedly. Sudden for the family and my brother-in-law.

Nobody was expecting this, especially him.

But he was ready. He always was.

Actually, there was a time when he wasn’t. He was lost. So very lost.

But through the faithful prayers of many, including his precious parents, God rescued him.

God not only rescued him, but brought him fully back to restored relationships.

Completely redeemed from his broken life.

As a result he was eager to share his deep love for Jesus with whomever he met.

From ignoring God’s beckoning to praying with strangers.

From living for himself to giving himself freely away to others.

God transformed his life, resulting in his compulsion to share God’s great love with family, friends, and strangers.

With anyone. With everyone.

His intentional words ministered life because his well overflowed with the love of God.

While not expecting his life to end today, he was ready to meet God.

His soul was prepared.

Are you? He would want you to ask yourself that very question.

And if you’re not, he would want to know why. What are you waiting for?

We never know when God will carry us home. We must be ready before it’s too late.

My brother-in-law knew what it was like to live without God.

That’s why he focused on sharing his redemptive life. Sharing God’s deep love with others.

He knew life with God is the only way to live.

Goodbye, sweet man. Well done, good and faithful servant.

Photos by Yannick Pulver, Priscilla Du Preez , & Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Loving the Unloveable

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31

Anyone in your life unloveable? Anyone fit that description?

Family? Acquaintances? Coworkers?

Children come to mind.

At times they seem unloveable when demanding things their way.

When irritated, they can spew forth ugliness, wishing you’d disappear.

Fine. I’ll go.

But that’s not biblical. Not God’s way.

He wants you to stay, loving the unloveable.

Can you even imagine a harder assignment?

Not me. Goes against my every fiber.

We usually love others because we get things in return.

Love, acceptance, respect, you get the idea.

But loving the unloveable? Yikes, that’s a whole new arena.

Yet that’s what God calls us to do. Literally. We are called to love others, no matter the response.

Jesus is our example. He loved us without reserve.

Without compromise. Without question.

And He loves us still when we revert back to our sinful selves, choosing our flesh too many times to count.

In other words, when we, ourselves, are unloveable, God still loves us.

If you’re willing, partner with God. His power through us can begin our attempt to love those who distain us.

God’s love. Not yours.

At the end of the day, God will be glorified if you love even when others don’t deserve it.

Even if they roll their eyes, talk back, or wish upon your disappearance.

Ask God to fill you with Himself each day as you wear His identity for you.

Only then, will you fulfill His greatest commission: To love your neighbor as yourself.

May we witness God through our daily human reactions. And may God Himself be manifest through our human attempts at love as we place others before ourselves.

Photos by Saad Chaudhry, Mark Boss, Elia Massignan, & Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash

Grateful to Your Toes

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you. Ezekiel 36:26-27

A Christmas Carol is a popular Christmas classic penned by Charles Dickens well over a hundred years ago.

One cannot comprehend the panic Scrooge felt as he walked with the Ghost of Christmas Future, unless one has made sinful choices such as Scrooge.

Because Scrooge was so selfish, he was blind to anything but himself.

Increasingly becoming aware of his sin only that night.

The consequences of his actions finally spoke louder to Scrooge than his fleshly habits.

Finding him in the graveyard, he sees the man’s name so ridiculed in death pages before: his own.

Falling on his face, he begs the Ghost of Christmas Future for a second chance.

Scrooge is agonized beyond anything he’s felt before.

He recognizes he is literally doomed.

Doomed forever and ever unless given a second chance.

A second chance as a changed man.

Begging the Ghost, he claims to have changed.

Begs and pleads with all his might.

He finally understands his truly bleak future written by his choices lived his entire adult life.

Stop and imagine yourself. What if that was you?

Do you have sections of your life ugly to God?

So ugly you deserve eternal damnation, too?

We all do. All of us deserve death.

But Jesus. His birth, death, and resurrection bring us hope as we place our trust in Him.

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.

Let’s return to the question at hand: what ugly parts of your life do you still need to give to God?

Why haven’t you? What’s stopping you? Are you even bothered by them?

Scrooge wasn’t for most of his life. But when his eyes were opened, he was horrified.

Release your fleshly desires to God. Release your sinful ways, hurtful to so many.

Scrooge never cared about hurting others, but he did when he finally got it.

We don’t have the luxury of seeing future consequences of our sin.

But we do have the gift of God’s redemption. And second chances.

When Scrooge finally pried open his hands, he released his bitterness. His anger. His selfishness.

And in return he was given new eyes. And boy was he happy!

Releasing those burdens caused Scrooge to well up with joy unlike anything he had ever felt before.

Just like us, when we are forgiven by God.

Covered by Jesus, we are made new. Forgiven. Hopeful. Loved.

Bring your whole self to Jesus, this Christmas. Ask Him to show you any part you’ve neglected to give to Him.

Gather up your courage, give Him that ugly part, too, and welcome the healing He promises to bring.

Like Scrooge, you’ll be grateful all the way down to your toes.

Photos by Elin Melaas, David Abrams, Jez Timms, & Elliott B on Unsplash

Our Christmas Gift

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Do you find it odd our entire world celebrates Jesus’ birth?

Our secular world who seeks to elevate themselves more often than not?

Sure, you could argue Jesus’ birth has morphed into Santa, presents, and reindeer.

But even Santa is based on Nicholas of Myra, a fourth century bishop who left gifts for poor children.

Maybe the world isn’t totally lost. Yet.

How can you help your friends and family see the baby Jesus instead this Christmas?

Through you. Your witness. Your focus.

Jesus is the reason for the season. Overused phrase, yes, but it’s so true.

When you think for just a moment how deeply God loves you…..

When you ponder why God sent Jesus to earth…..

When you stop and realize how desperately you need our Savior…

You’ll discover the true meaning of Christmas.

Jesus came to earth just for you.

God missed His relationship with you that much.

He missed you and desperately wants that relationship back.

He wants you to trust Him. To love Him. To realize how much you need Him.

Because His plans for you are so good. The very best.

And to communicate that love, God set Jesus’ birth in motion.

That’s how much He loves you. All of you.

Begin to replace the commercialism of Christmas with the celebration of Jesus.

God’s peace on earth will come to your corner.

Your “why” you celebrate will alter everything. Real peace and real joy for once.

Let’s replace all the trinkets nobody needs. The gifts people return. Events we feel compelled to attend.

Replace it all with an increased devotion to Jesus, thanking Him for His gift. Himself.

Rely on Him for your peace as you dwell on the love He has just for you.

Let your celebrations stem from this and all of the gifts, events, and chaos will become worship to God.

While the world has lost the focus of Christmas, let’s keep ours, shifting back our focus to God and His precious gift of Jesus for you and for me.

Photos by Tristan Maness, Max Beck, Matt Botsford, &  Alda González-Cuevas on Unsplash

Christmas Rush

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men! Luke 2:14

Why is it this time of year seems to cause armfuls of stress?

Anyone else feel the pressure to buy everyone and their dog the perfect gift?

Anyone else feel pressured to provide all things to all people, creating perfect Christmas card memories?

And why is that?

Keeping up with the neighbors. Our friends. The entire world.

Expectations of ourselves, others, and the day.

What’s interesting is Jesus’ birth was so not complicated.

Mary and Joseph did not make the perfect reservation weeks in advance for the best room.

The angels did not record their songs, capturing the perfect moment for their social media.

The shepherds did not rehearse their reaction for perfect timing, nor did they have a Christmas outfit to celebrate the new King.

Everything just happened.

Mary and Joseph found what they could.

The angels broke out in song when they could no longer hold back.

The shepherds simply ran to the manger, wearing what they had on at the time.

And Jesus came amid it all.

Peace on earth is more than a silent night.

Peace on earth begins in your heart, surrendered to God and God alone.

When your heart is His, nothing else matters.

His peace can reign within, no matter what else churns around you.

Do the Christmas things. Have fun while you’re at it.

But keep God’s peace above all else.

Because nothing else matters, but Him.

Photos by Deep Doshi, Raymond Petrik, Tj Holowaychuk, & Greyson Joralemon on Unsplash

Genesis 6

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. Noah found grace in the eyes of God. Genesis 6:6,8

God regretted creating man.

The evil, which was ruling man, grieved God’s heart.

Man became so selfish and evil, God actually wished He had not created them.

Verse 5 says “every intention of the thoughts of his (man’s) heart was only evil continually.

Wow.

Like nothing but evil.

Literally.

Imagine living in that world where only evil reigns free and kindness is nearly non-existent.

Nearly non-existent due to the life of Noah.

Noah and his family found favor in God’s eyes.

That’s it. The only family on earth.

Only a few hundred years after God created Adam, He regretted man.

Not only did God want to destroy man, He also cut short future man’s long life which had been the norm.

Noah was 500 when he fathered Shem, Ham, and Japheth (Genesis 5:32).

That’s pretty old!

God declared man would live no more than 120 years in verse 3 as God did not want His spirit to abide in man forever.

You can see why.

God does not condone evil.

Period.

We might not be as bad or evil as the population Noah walked among, but evil is evil.

Sin is sin.

Do you ever stop to think your sin grieves God’s heart?

Sure some sins are worse than others, but any sin at all goes against God.

It goes against everything He is.

Sin is the opposite of God.

Lots of grace for us when we sin, yes, but ask God to help you live only within His ways.

Ask the Holy Spirit to build you up in your mind, body, and soul, as you pursue God and God alone.

Maybe the thought of grieving God’s heart will stop you from sinning.

After all, why would we ever want to cause God any pain ever when He’s done everything and more for us?

Photos by Lucas Dial, Aram, Aaron Burden, & Anne Nygård on Unsplash

How Badly?

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. Ephesians 5:1

How badly do you want it? To imitate God?

How much do you want to change in order to do just that?

We cannot do anything in our own strength.

It will certainly fail, why?

Because we are flawed. Human. Not God.

Oh sure, sometimes we can do things amazingly well in our own strength.

But that tends to lead us into pride.

And pride eventually leads us to humility in a usually embarrassing way.

The humble spirit is different.

A humble person is not weak.

They have quiet strength.

They have great wisdom, yet they do not push it on anyone.

They have peace, because they realize it’s not all about them.

Who can you relate to?

A prideful person who does everything themselves?

Or a humble person who realizes God must work through them to accomplish great things?

A prideful person thinks it’s all about them.

A humble person knows it’s all about God.

Prideful people demand.

Humble people serve.

When you look in the Bible, the Pharisees were extremely proud.

They knew everything and no one could tell them any different.

Know anyone like that?

Jesus is our example of a humble man who served.

He knew everything, but served the lowest of the low.

His gentle strength showed God’s power and love.

Standing before Pilot, Jesus could have explained it all.

He could’ve shown His accusers a thing or two.

How badly do you want to be like Jesus?

Are you willing to give up yourself?

Are you willing to put aside your own plans to follow His plan for you?

Ask God to fill you up with His strength, wisdom, and love.

Rely on Him to keep filling you every day.

In return, God will use you to bless others.

And you’ll be blessed right back in the process as you imitate Him.

Photos by Greg Shield, Aaron Burden, Patrick Tomasso, & Taylor Cole on Unsplash

 

Wall of Fire

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the Lord, and I will be the glory in her midst. Zechariah 2:5

When walking through life, do you feel alone?

Do you feel often overwhelmed by the world’s rubbish thrown your way?

Tired of falling too often towards temptation?

Walk in your authority from God.

He’s with you. He covers you with His strength, protection, and peace.

Psalm 5:12 reminds us: Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

When feeling overwhelmed by life, picture God surrounding you with HIs favor like a shield.

But it gets even better.

Our verse from Zechariah shares God’s promise of a literal wall of fire.

This wall of fire surrounds you. Nothing can come through.

Picture this wall of fire burning up temptation. Burning up fear. Burning up anything coming your way that is not of God.

Can we still have problems with God as our wall of fire?

Sure. Jesus reminds us we will suffer.

But suffering under God’s plan is different from allowing the world’s rubbish to affect you.

Within God’s plan, suffering looks like glory. Suffering looks like peace. It’s the opposite of how the world defines it.

Paul mentions suffering as a time to boast in God’s strength.

May God surround us as a wall of fire.

May God’s wall of fire burn up anything that comes our way not of Him and Him alone.

May God’s wall of fire burn up our selfish tendencies, placing in us the desire for God alone.

May God’s wall of fire burn up fear when tempted to rely on human knowledge.

And may God’s glory be forever in the midst of us.

Photos by Paul Bulai, Cullan Smith, Olivia Snow, & Zac Durant on Unsplash

What’s Normal?

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! 1 Chronicles 16:11

Ever heard the phrase “the new normal”?

Usually means something bizarre is becoming commonplace.

Normal used to mean a two parent family with a few children, living in the same house for decades.

Normal used to mean church anchored the neighborhood, threading lives together as one.

Normal used to mean children knew their place and it wasn’t in charge of adults.

While we can sit here and debate “normal” social behaviors, I was wondering something completely different.

How often do you think about God?

Does He fill your thoughts most of the day? Or just when there’s nobody else to turn?

Do you talk with Him once a day, maybe as your eyes close?

Or do you talk to Him in a constant chatter about this or that, basically whenever anything comes to mind?

Do you wake with His song on your lips?

What’s your music choice? Whatever it is demands space in your head.

Sometimes I think I’m not normal.

I adore worship music. It’s all I listen to, with the exception of occasional classical music.

My head is filled with God because of it. I regularly wake with His song on my lips.

I think of heaven, too. Life is incredibly short and I hope I’m helping others see the importance of God.

Do you feel an urgency to align your heart to God’s?

What if you don’t wake up tomorrow?

Or what if you have only today to share God with another?

God takes our life seriously. So seriously that He rescued us from eternal separation by sending His son, Jesus, to take our sin for us.

If we really thought long and hard, we’d prioritize filling ourselves with worship to God, seeking His face. We owe Him everything.

So, in the end, normal for Christians should be our never-ending focus on God.

Putting Him first.

Above all else.

And that means above you and me.

As we live God’s purpose for our lives, may we consistently place Him first as we seek Him in all we do and say.

Photos by Doncoombez, Jeremy Thomas, & Taylor Cole on Unsplash

Casting off the Flesh

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Romans 13:14

What do you think Paul was talking about in this passage?

Thinking of putting on Jesus, what comes to mind?

Armor of God. Holy Spirit’s influence. Listening to God instead of the enemy’s lies.

It’s intentional. Notice Paul asks us to literally do something. To put on Jesus.

Do you? Do you choose to invite Jesus to fill you each day with more of Himself?

Do you open your Bible to hear the words of God?

Do you worship him on any day besides Sunday?

With what are you filling your mind?

Paul continues to say we must put our flesh beneath us. To make no provision for it.

Why? Because our fleshly desires tend to rule over us.

They tend to take over, don’t they?

They take our focus off of Jesus, putting it back on ourselves.

Our needs. Our wants. Our desires.

Yes, we need to take care of ourselves. So how does it move to gratifying the flesh instead?

Choosing to be lazy instead of exercising or moving.

Choosing to eat junk when we should honor our body with health.

Choosing to spend mindless hours on digital games or social media when we should be reading our Bible, reading books, or learning something new.

Going to substances that numb the world’s pain instead of walking with God to freedom.

A couple of verses before, Romans 13:12 says this: Let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Casting off works of darkness is not gratifying the flesh.

Putting on the armor of light is putting on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Because our flesh is often so loud, Paul thinks we should make no provision for it.

Gratifying the desires of the flesh should never usurp what God has called us to be.

And the enemy often comes in sneaky ways, taking an inch at a time.

Today we should take inventory of how our life looks. How we spend our time. What our mind dwells upon.

Is your flesh in charge or is it God?

Cast off the flesh. And put on God.

Photos by Ingmar &  Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

Shopping for More

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

For in Him we live, and move, and have our being. Acts 17:28

Where are you gathering your identity?

Are you shopping at Walmart when you should be selecting items at the most expensive store?

You might reply you cannot possibly afford the most expensive store.

Remember, I’m not talking about material goods.

I’m talking about your worth. Your identity. Your very core.

When you surrender your life to God, He steps in, scooping out the ugly, replacing it with beauty.

Jesus’ death on the cross provides the transaction removing sin. The sin we were born with. The sin we chose. Our heredity. God’s power removes all of it, replacing it with redemption.

When redeemed, we have God’s power. His life. His disposition.

Acts reminds us we live and move and literally are within God.

Your identity is God’s.

Your worth is God’s.

When we live from within God’s power, we have everything.

When our being is literally from God, our worth is immeasurable.

It’s time to stop shopping for your worth at the thrift store.

Time to stop settling for your used former self.

Instead, select God’s exquisite self. His perfection wanting to shine through you.

Start living as if God is speaking through you.

Start living as if God is working through you.

Start living as if God is moving through you.

Because when you live and move and have your being in God, He’s already here.

Photos by Tem Rysh, Lucrezia Carnelos, Markus Spiske, & Joel Muniz on Unsplash

Acting Like It

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

The righteous will rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him; all the upright in heart will glory in him! Psalm 64:10

Do you ever observe your life as an actor?

Maybe the phrase “fake it til you make it” comes to mind?

I’m not talking about times when you’re genuinely smiling.

Like really enjoying life.

Because that’s when it’s as easy as falling off a log to act happy. Because you are.

But what about the times when you’re not?

Can you choose joy even when you’d rather be anywhere else?

Can you choose love even when you feel anything but?

Yep. Know why? Because God’s strength in you is bigger than your weakness.

Bigger than the flesh that covers you.

Picture yourself in a situation where you really should be nice to someone undeserving.

Approach it as an actor would in their starring role. You can do it, I promise.

And after your performance, you might even feel a bit happier, too.

Yes, we must not pretend everything is always hunky dory.

Yes, we must not let horrible people run over our lives.

But generally in life, if you are needing to keep that fresh face forward, act like it.

Often removing yourself and becoming a happier version keeps relationships humming.

And before you know it, God may help your happy mood become your genuine reaction.

Until then, ask God to fill you with His strength, and jump into that loving actor self.

And give yourself an Oscar! I’ll applaud you!

Now you’re smiling!

Photos by Jon Tyson, Avel Chuklanov, & Nick Fewings on Unsplash

Do Others Know?

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:15

Do others know you are the Lord’s?

Is it obvious you follow Jesus?

Is it written on your face as you react to the world?

Is it displayed in your actions as you share Jesus’ gentle touch?

Your words as you bring others God’s voice of life to blanket their soul?

The temperature of the room when you walk in covered with the peace of God?

Or do you quietly live your faith with not one person realizing your alliance to God?

How do you walk the halls of your high school: blending in with the world or standing out for God?

How well do you mimic Jesus as He walked this earth?

Yes, He preached.

Yes, He healed.

Yes, He argued with church leaders while pointing out their errors.

But not every minute of every day.

He lived, moving among us with the heart of God.

He listened.

He hugged.

He made others feel important. Worthy. Valuable.

How about you?

Is it obvious you follow Jesus?

Are you bringing others to Jesus or are you caring not a whit about their future damnation?

Is God in the forefront of your mind?

Do you stand tall for His truth?

Might feel lonely, but there are more of us with you than you realize.

Plus, God is always standing right by your side.

There are those in our world who do dare to stand out.

Who wear their faith on their sleeve, asking others to consider God’s ways.

Charlie Kirk was one of those, and he paid the ultimate price.

Are you willing to be God’s witness, too?

Even if it causes your early death?

Satan will hate your witness.

What is your choice?

Let others know how much you love God.

Let others see His goodness.

Let your words bring others closer to Him.

And let your time on earth cause others to yearn for God exactly as you do.

Our time here is limited. Minutes when compared to eternity.

Will you live today for now or will you live today for then?

Will you live today for yourself or will you live today as God’s witness, knowing today might be your last?

Photos by Tim Wildsmith, Humble Lamb, Tim Wildsmith, & David Banning on Unsplash

New Beginnings

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. Psalm 40:3

God calls us into new beginnings, sometimes several times in our life.

It could be a HUGE new beginning.

Marriage, baby, divorce, death, moving, or a new job.

Or, it could be a small new beginning such as resolving to eat healthy, initiating a new devotional time, determining a new year’s resolution, or updating your children’s chore chart.

New beginnings can be scary, especially if they hit you by surprise.

An unexpected job loss.

A sudden death or divorce.

A child moving out.

It’s all scary and frightening.

 But God is in the details.

What?

He cares about my daily struggles, my new beginnings, big or small?

Yes, He absolutely does.

Not only that, but He wants to hear your heart and help you.

He wants your trust – your unwavering trust in the Provider of Life.

Nothing surprises God. Nothing.

So let your new beginnings include God.

The big ones and the small ones.

Every single one.

Photos by Sushobhan Badhai, Clark Wilson, John McMahon, & feey on Unsplash

Smiles of God

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

But the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. Psalm 147:11

Ever think of how God smiles down at you?

How He looks down at you, his beautiful creation, breaking out in a huge grin?

I did today.

I thought about how God had recently blessed me and I felt His smile.

Like He was saying, “This is all for you, because I’m so proud of you.”

We don’t obey God to get things.

We obey God out of our deep love for Him. Our allegiance. Our choice to surrender our will to His.

But God does choose to bless His children.

The Old Testament has many verses like Deuteronomy 5:33: Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.

While I’m fully aware God is pleased when we are obedient and we can rest in His peace when we daily focus on Him, there are times when I think about God smiling down on us.

Maybe something big finally came together.

Maybe a bonus check arrived you weren’t expecting.

Maybe a long-lost friend reached out and made your day.

Maybe you were suddenly filled with a deep gratitude for all God has given you.

Or maybe you were surprised with something and you know God sees your faithfulness, recognizing it for more to witness.

I frankly think God smiles down on us more than we realize.

He loves you and longs for a deep relationship with you.

He’s not one to grab your time, exposing your flaws when you chat.

He wants to free you for you. For your freedom walking this earth.

God’s already free. He’s God.

But He longs for you to be free to see His smiles.

Surrender afresh today. Ask Him to be your Lord and Savior over everything.

Then pay attention. God’s smile will warm your heart when you finally take notice.

Photos by Aaron Burden & Sanjoy Sadhukhan on Unsplash

Zipping Your Lips

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Philippians 2:14-15

What are God’s purposes for you on this earth? To glorify Him, and you cannot do that while complaining.

You’ll also live caught in the web of self-condemnation, probably in a bad mood most of the time when your speech is perverse.

Subsequently, your witness for God is tarnished.

Sends others off screaming in the other direction.

So how do we glorify God when we feel like complaining?

We praise him anyway.

We choose to push aside the complaining thoughts, praising God instead. Even if.

When we choose to continue trusting God as life tempts us to sour – that’s when our witness shines. That’s when God’s transformation of our very selves shines brighter.

It’s how the world sees the difference God makes in our lives.

So if we choose to complain every time things go south, we’re absolutely no different from the world.

They complain, too.

But if instead you choose praising God in the midst, choosing to trust him instead of your circumstances, you’ll show the world how good God is.

How trustworthy He remains. How much better off you are with Him by your side. How much you need Him as life often deals badly.

Your purpose on this earth is to glorify God, reflecting Him to others.

Draw them today, instead of leading them away.

Photos by Kristina Flour, Jelleke Vanooteghem, Richard Bell, & Naassom Azevedo on Unsplash

70 times 7

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven! Matthew 18:21-22

This is one of the greatest difficulties we face as Christians.

Forgiveness. Releasing the offender from you.

Freeing them from their offense.

Even when they don’t ask.

Especially when they don’t ask.

How many times?

Seventy times seven.

Four hundred ninety times. Unlimited.

What if the person has offended you that many times?

Then for you, it’s four hundred ninety. And counting.

Doesn’t mean you allow abuse to continue. Or offense to keep knocking you down again and again.

But normal daily interactions often yield conflict.

And aside from Jesus asking us to do this, we do have a choice.

We can forgive or not.

If we forgive, we release ourselves from bitterness. From the prison of unjustly behavior revenge.

Is it funner to stay in the prison, stuck and alone? I’ll be the first to admit yes.

It’s where we nurse our wounds unprovoked by others. It’s where we feel justified in making others pay for their deeds. Hard time is what we want.

But the prison of bitterness is also where we stay stuck. Miserable. And you know who is too pleased when we do? The enemy. The father of lies, who tells us our prison is better accommodations than freedom’s path.

The good news is this: God. Not only does God know forgiveness is superior for our relationships, and our physical or emotional health, He helps us through the process.

We don’t have to feel like forgiving. We simply need to choose and obey God.

Ask God to help you forgive the offender. Release them back into the arms of Jesus. Ask God to fill your sense of injustice with peace, replacing the bitterness with joy.

God has promised to right every wrong. He’s the ultimate judge and your defender.

Practice this today as God unlocks your prison of bitterness.

It’s incredibly difficult. But you must trust God more than you trust your bitterness.

We don’t want the enemy happy with our location, do we?

Change your address today. God’s waiting to walk you to freedom.

Oh, and if your well worn path takes your feet right back to the prison out of habit?

Stop and turn. God will help you every single time.

Photos by Lili Popper, Jametlene Reskp, Cody Otto, & Jacob Bentzinger on Unsplash

So Sneaky

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment


Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Let’s ponder war strategy for a moment. How do opposing sides attack each other?

Quietly. A sneak attack, surprising the enemy.

Plans are top secret. Spies infiltrate.

When the other side doesn’t expect you, it’s way easier to win.

D-Day even had rumors of other attacks, alternate landings, confusing the enemy.

Even though thousands of precious soldiers died that day, they won because the enemy was surprised.

If the Nazis had known, D-Day would have been a disaster. And our world today would likely look way different.

Shifting our attention to the enemy of our souls, it’s no different.

Do you honestly think the enemy will announce himself with large banners, shouting his presence to attack?

When someone is robbed at gun point, does the robber allow the victim to get ready to respond?

When an arsonist seeks to set fire to a property, do they call the owner, informing them of impending doom?

It’s absurd. Attacks are meant for harm. Understandable and necessary in war, but cruel in life.

We are living in a spiritual battle. And we must be ready. At all times, because the enemy will not announce himself.

He will come in quietly, swinging at your most vulnerable parts for fatal blows.

Be assured he watches you. Has known you for your whole life.

He knows your weaknesses. Where to strike you so it hurts real bad.

Are you prone to people pleasing? You’ll bend over backwards so others like you.

Rejection? His lies will confirm untruths still lying dormant in your brain.

Perfection? Same thing. You’ll feel less than every time.

Stand up. Take back your ground, given to you by God’s authority dwelling in you.

Romans 8:11 reminds us “if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you”.

God’s life in you. His power. His authority.

God is the victor. He has already won the war. And the enemy knows it.

He’s here to kill, steal, and destroy relationships, reputations, and lives. Yours, mine, and our family’s.

Don’t let him. Be ready. 1 Corinthians 16:13 says, “Be on guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong”.

God will stand with you, silencing the enemy’s accusations.

Dress for battle as Ephesians 6 describes.

Lift yourself and your family to God each day, asking for his protection, filling you with himself in your mind, body, soul, and spirit.

Don’t sit down in your soul anymore.

Stand and fight with God, whose power will slay the enemy to his knees.

Photos by stefan kroeger, Catherine Merlin, Jonathan Kemper, & Nik Shuliahin  on Unsplash

Never Comes to an End

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

Spent the past week at the beach.

Can I just live there, please?

Watching the waves is so peaceful.

The sound as waves crash onto the sand.

The smell of salty, fresh air.

The feel of fine sand cushioning your feet.

The notice of life brimming all around.

Mussels coming up after a wave recedes, burrowing down again.

Seashells littering the sand begging to be scooped up.

Seagulls daring to come close, curious for scraps.

Standing on the beach, the waves are mesmerizing.

Almost like clockwork, they keep rolling in.

Over and over. They never end.

It’s just like God’s love, which is never ending.

He continually gives you more and more.

It’s just like God’s peace, which is never ending.

He continually gives you more and more.

It’s just like God’s faithfulness, which is never ending.

He continually gives you more and more.

PIcture God’s gifts to you as unending as the ocean waves.

As abundant as the ocean waves.

As predictable as the ocean waves.

God’s mercies are new every morning. They’ll be here tomorrow, and the next day, and every day for the rest of your life.

You simply need to receive them like waves rolling over your toes.

The ocean waves aren’t going away.

God isn’t going away.

But you must choose to see. To want. To accept what God has for you.

God’s abundant mercies are waiting for you.

They are constantly rolling towards you on the sand. Will you choose to get wet?

Pictures by me, Amy Mecham, at South Padre Island, Tx

Goodnight

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

A couple of nights ago, the following tragedy unfolded near San Antonio, Tx.

It’s my friend’s story. Her daughter-in-law’s, actually.

What if it was yours?

She was going to bed for the last time.

Waking in the night, they needed to escape.

Rising waters. Nighttime rescue.

Floating debris. Pitch black darkness.

Her husband holds onto a tree, trying to reach her.

He cannot and off she goes.

He hears her calling his name, but she is beyond reach.

She was swept off to heaven that night.

Not what she thought would transpire after saying goodnight.

A precious life lost. Her family left to grieve.

What about you? Would you have been ready to meet your Maker?

There’s often no time to ready your heart in the midst of a tragedy.

Unfortunately, tragedies do occur, often producing death.

And it can happen in an instant. The blink of an eye.

So, what if it was you? Are you ready?

We never know when God will call us home.

Ready your heart today. Now. Right this minute.

John 14:27 reminds us God give us His peace. His perfect peace.

God doesn’t want our hearts to be troubled, and death is nothing to fear.

Why? Because of Jesus. His great love for you. His precious plan for you.

But here’s the thing: Death is nothing to fear only if you place your hope in Jesus.

In the sacrifice of His life in exchange for yours.

Your sins are forgiven.

Your future is secure.

Only if you are His. Are you?

Nobody plans to say goodnight for the final time.

Make sure your heart is God’s when you say goodnight this evening.

Photos by rachman reilli, Kelly Sikkema, Lukas Hron, and Yevhenii Aihubov on Unsplash

Genesis 5

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. Genesis 5:1

So amazing isn’t it?

The reality that we are created in the likeness of God.

God is so creative. So were Adam and Eve.

Imagine them creating their first abode. Their first home.

Did they fashion bowls from the earth, hardening them in the sun?

Find herbs to make hot drinks?

What about clothing, how did they manage that?

You know the leaf thing didn’t last, or did it?

Diapers for the children?

What bedding did they use? Pillows?

Before they left the garden because of sin, I imagine they had a ball discovering all God had created.

Birds, plants, animals, and food.

But when they were banished, it was a different story.

Not sure what their landscape looked like.

Homesteading as the first ever on this earth must have been frustrating, yet rewarding.

I’m sure they came up with all sorts of solutions as they had God’s creative mind.

The chapter ends with the generations of Adam to Noah, each living to almost 1,000 years old.

Lots of time to be creative. Or sin.

Our world complains when parenting more than one child.

Imagine dozens as those early generations likely had.

I know, I can’t either.

Created in the image of God. That’s you, too.

How will you showcase God’s creativity today?

Photos by Gabriel Jimenez, Walter Martin, Chris Abney, &  Shoeib Abolhassani on Unsplash

How Dare We

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31

How dare we question God.

Yet we do.

Why? Because we want our own way.

We think we know better than Him.

Do you see how selfish that is?

How arrogant?

Did we create the earth and all it contains?

Did we place the stars in the heavens?

Did we design life with such variety and beauty?

Absolutely not.

We are God’s creation.

God is not our creation.

I get it though. Often our lives seem to turn unexpectedly, down a path we wished to avoid.

We question God. We question because we hate it. The direction we travel.

God allows things.

He created us with the ability to choose, and sometimes people make bad choices.

Or, sometimes it’s our own fault.

Yet God allows it.

We can be assured from Ecclesiastes 9:1 that “… how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God. Whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before him.”

All we do are in God’s hands.

We need God. He helps us filter out bad choices when we cannot see what’s right.

Further, we can rest assured God works all things for His purpose.

Romans 8:28 reminds us,” And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

God sees everything.

He sees the good, the bad, and the ugly.

While He might allow circumstances you detest, He will stay by your side.

And He has a plan. Do you trust Him?

You are worth more to God than anything else He created.

He sent His only son to die on the cross for you so you can spend eternity with Him.

Yes, God is holy.

Yes, He created all things.

And no, we are not in charge.

But you can rest assured God is.

God, who created order and beauty, is on the throne.

And when trials come, He will be with you every step of the way.

His ways are higher than ours.

We must not question God, but live peacefully, knowing He cares for all of His creation.

Yet we are of more value than many sparrows.

We are made in His image.

Photos by Marshall Patterson, Mathew Schwartz, Cédric VT, & Nicole Wreyford on Unsplash

Fighting Discouragement

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. Psalm 42:11

I fight discouragement.

Do you?

Same lies in my head.

Unanswered prayers.

Unchanged people.

Who are we to question Almighty God?

We are but a breath in all of God’s created beings.

God’s ways are higher than ours.

Then mine. Then yours.

He is above it all.

Even unanswered prayers.

Even unchanged people.

Even the lies still swirling in your head.

Our job is to submit ourselves to Him, asking Him to make us new.

Then pray for what God lays on our hearts.

After we pray, we are to give it all to God.

The unanswered prayers.

The unchanged people.

The lies in your head.

Now we sit and trust.

Yes, we can pray, of course, we should.

But as you pray, resist the urge to scoop the burden back up.

God’s got it.

He’s got it and all the rest. Why?

Because He knows all things and loves your loved ones even more than you, you must trust Him.

And He loves you more than you know, too.

Those lies in your head?

Give them to God.

Remember Whose you are.

Fully and completely loved.

Repeat scripture aloud, retraining your brain.

Your prayers are not unanswered.

They are answered in God’s timing.

In the mean time, pray, believe, and trust.

God’s got the rest.

Photos by Steve Gribble on Unsplash

When God Warns You

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

When they [the wisemen] had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” Matthew 2:13

God has plans and warns us in advance.

God’s warning might be a soft whisper, a quickening in your spirit, or a word from another.

Or, God might warn you in a dream, specifically outlining your next move and why.

That’s how God warned Joseph after the wisemen left their visit with Jesus.

God knew Herod’s plans and warned Joseph to escape.

And Joseph obeyed.

Reminds me of a dream I once had.

Living in a ground level apartment, our bedroom had a sliding door.

I had it open with the screen locked for a nice breeze.

Dreamt someone was in our home, stealing whatever they wished.

Woke me up. I stared at the gently blowing curtain.

Getting out of bed, I knew I should shut and lock the door.

Pulling aside the curtain, I saw a man. An intruder.

His hand was on the other side, trying to open it.

He ran away as I immediately slammed the door shut, locking it.

Collapsing on the bed with fright, I thanked God for warning me in my dream.

Can you imagine if he hadn’t? We had an infant in our room. A two-year old next door.

But all was well. God had perfectly protected us.

In life we will have trials due to the world in which we live.

But rest assured God has plans for you.

And if His plans for you need to be protected, He will warn you.

God’s plan could include heartache as you witness to the world God’s grace, mercy and love while enduring what he allows.

It could also include death as many martyrs can attest.

As Joseph trusted God to lead his family, we can trust God to lead us, too.

Lead us, God, into what You have for us.

Protect us from the schemes of the enemy as You foil his plans.

And deepen our trust in You as we fully submit to Your plans for us again and again.

Photos by Tanya Barrow, Brooke Balentine, Inbal Malca, & David Ballew on Unsplash

Final Curtain Call

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. James 4:14

Ever think about how life is not a rehearsal?

Only get one shot at all of it.

Every milestone.

Every age.

Every day.

Today, for example, you have only these minutes to spend once.

The ones you are spending reading this blog are used wisely.

Good job!

But what’s next?

Yes, life is spent with many mundane things, such as laundry, shopping, and caring for others.

But even the mundane can be exciting when thinking how temporary it all is.

Thinking about your emotions, do you want to spend your only today racked with guilt?

Will you spend your only today filled with self-pity, un-forgiveness, or fear?

You only get today once.

Don’t give it to the devil.

Today, you have a chance to spend your minutes praising God.

Today, you have a chance to spend your minutes praying to the One who created you.

You get the chance to care for those God has entrusted to you or relax with well-deserved rest.

Don’t allow yourself to squelch these precious minutes you can only spend one time.

Don’t give these minutes to the devil by dwelling outside of God’s peace.

Or living only for yourself.

Why? Because minutes turn into days, which turn into years.

Before you know it, you’ll be a decade older and not at all wiser.

Your family might become distant and you’ll find yourself alone.

Bitterness and self-righteousness are not good companions.

So choose to spend your once in a lifetime minutes as God ordained.

Ask God how He would like you to live.

Ask God who He would like you to love.

Ask God who He would like you to influence for His kingdom.

And spend those precious minutes for Him.

Because every minute is only spent once in our final curtain call called life.

Photos by Steve Sharp, Jon Tyson, Gwen King, &  Tony Lomas on Unsplash

Impossible Assignment

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

You don’t understand, Lord.

They hurt me.

Like really bad.

They cut me down, bringing me to my knees.

As a result, I cried.

Ugly crying.

They don’t deserve my forgiveness.

I need to seek revenge somehow.

Something to get them back.

No?

You want me to forgive them?

Why?

Because You have forgiven me?

Yes, I know, but why do I have to forgive them?

I can’t.

You still want me to?

How? With Your strength?

But they hurt me. Deeply. To the core of my being, they hurt me.

You still want me to forgive them?

And give You my pain?

How will that help?

Will you right my wrongs for me?

You will eventually?

You want me to trust You?

With everything?

Even this?

Ok.

Thank you, God, for saving me, forgiving all of my sins.

Please help me to forgive others as they hurt me.

It’s an impossible assignment on my very own.

Help me to release this burdens and those in the future to You.

Help me to forgive as You have forgiven me.

Photos by Elijah Pilchard, Brooke Balentine, Grigorii Shcheglov, & Yannick Pulver on Unsplash

Stunning

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

She dresses with strength and nobility, and she smiles at the future. Proverbs 31:25

How tall are you standing?

How often do you smile at yourself in the mirror?

Is your resting face pleasant?

Are you resting in the satisfaction God is in control and you don’t have to be?

Are you walking a little straighter?

You must, so your crown doesn’t fall to the floor.

When will you begin to enjoy the body God gave you?

When you’re dead?

That will be too late.

Life is too short to worry about every imperfection.

Those are dependent upon the whims of society anyhow.

Live within the blessing of God.

Live within the promise of Whose you are.

Live within the image of God.

That’s who you were fashioned after.

Allow God’s peace to wash over you as you stand tall.

Nothing bothers you because God’s got it all covered.

Have you ever really smiled because you suddenly realized how very valuable you are to God?

Think about it. Dwell in it for a moment.

God created you. You. And He doesn’t make mistakes. Ever.

When you allow His love and grace to cover you, your face cannot help but grin loudly.

Grin. Stand tall. And share this grace and love with the others around you.

Talk about stunning.

Photos by Javier González Fotógrafo, Vitaliy Zalishchyker, & Chase Kennedy on Unsplash

Meant for Us

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:4-6

Words utterly fail.

It isn’t possible to find adequate words, expressing how grateful we are for your sacrifice, Jesus.

You came to us for this time. Good Friday and Easter.

Your entire life was lived for this purpose.

To suffer and die in our place.

To take our punishment onto your holy and sinless self.

Each drop of spit falling off your face was meant for us.

Each thorn thrust into your head was meant for us.

Each whip lash was meant to tear our flesh, not yours.

Each insulting word was meant to insult us, not you.

Each nail driven into your hands and feet was meant to pierce our flesh.

Not yours.

Not your holy feet who willingly walked this earth, sharing the love of the Father.

Not your holy hands who willingly healed the hurting people clamoring to you.

When you hung on the cross with the weight of our sin, God turned away.

He left you utterly alone.

That should have been us as we are the sinful ones, not you.

We are deserving of death, not you.

Yet you chose to die for us.

You willingly took our pain and suffering away, bearing it all on your own.

But that’s why your death won the victory. Why the devil has been defeated once and for all.

You were and are the spotless lamb.

The Prince of Peace.

The sinless sacrifice for us, Your children.

It’s why we are now set free forever and ever from sin, death, and the grave when we choose You.

When we choose You over ourselves.

When we acknowledge Your sacrifice, cleansing us from our sin.

Reflecting this Easter, it seems impossible.

You, a perfect sacrifice, choosing us over you.

Yet, You did just that. You cancelled our debt for all of eternity.

We are forever grateful.

We are forever yours.

We are forever and ever yours.

Fill us afresh with a new awe of Good Friday. Of your sacrifice.

May we live every day in the shadow of the cross.

And may we live with the hope of Easter, knowing You have indeed conquered it all.

Photos by Alex Noriega, Jon Tyson, Dylan McLeod, & Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Your Reflection

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

How well do you reflect Jesus?

Does your face reflect His love?

Do your actions replicate His compassion?

Do your words reflect His leadership, wisdom, and grace?

This morning as I looked out my large back window, I noticed something.

Overlooking a large space, I can see for over a mile.

On the horizon was a brilliant burst of sunlight.

Blinding almost.

It was twinkling, extending its rays like when you look at the sun.

But it was tiny as it was far away.

My first thought was, “Oh, the sun is peeking up.”

But immediately I dismissed that thought because the sun rises on the other side of my house!

Then I realized what I was looking at.

A reflection.

A brilliant reflection of the sun.

The sun was hitting this spot just perfectly, lighting it up as if it were the sun.

Which made me wonder about us.

How brilliantly do we reflect Jesus?

When we are selfish, we don’t shine.

When we surround ourselves with misery, we don’t shine.

Walking with self-pity, we certainly don’t shine either.

And when we cling to fear, rejection, and despair, we are pretty dull as well.

Purpose again to praise God especially when walking life’s troubled road.

Trust God when you cannot see the road or even when you can.

Let your light shine so others may see Jesus.

Reflect Him so well, others cannot help but bow their knee to the One who created all things.

Photos by Ivana Cajina, Jonathan Borba, Josh Boot, & Oscar Ivan Esquivel Arteaga on Unsplash

Children of the Heavenly Father

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalm 55:22

I love hymns. Do you? They speak such powerful truth in their short verses.

This Swedish hymn is a favorite of our family. I can still hear my grandmother singing it with us.

Children of the heavenly Father safely in his bosom gather; nestling bird nor star in heaven such a refuge e’er was given.

We, as God’s children, are safely settled into His giant arms.

Nothing on earth dares to compare to the safety we experience as His children when gathered up in His arms.

God his own shall tend and nourish; in his holy courts they flourish. From all evil powers he spares them; in his mighty arms he bears them.

God takes care of us, His own. We flourish and grow mightily in His presence.

He shields us from all evil. All evil. Even when surrounded by death and destruction, we are safe. His strong arms hold us. Yes, we may suffer, but God stands with us.

Neither life nor death shall ever from the Lord his children sever; for to them his grace revealing, he turns sorrow into healing.

Nothing in life or death will ever separate us from God. We will abide with Him now and forever.

His grace provides healing for our every sorrow.

God has given, he has taken, but his children ne’er forsaken; his the loving purpose solely to preserve them pure and holy.

God is in control. He gives and He takes away, but He will never leave us alone.

His ways are higher than ours and purpose to only keep us pure and holy.

When we trust God as our Father, He lovingly cares for us – His beloved children.

Forever and ever. Amen.

Hymn writer: Caroline W. Sandell Berg 1832-1903 (Swedish)

Photos by Gianluca Carenza, Derek Thomson,  Priscilla Du Preez, & Natasha Ivanchikhina on Unsplash

Obedience and Surrender

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways. Proverbs 23:26

What does it look like to obey God?

I mean to really obey what He asks of you?

Does it look like taking control of your fleshly desires?

Exchanging your hopes and dreams for God’s?

Asking Him for His thoughts for your future?

Doing the thing He nudges you to do?

Does your life look like that?

Does it reflect an obedience and surrender to God?

I’m guessing you have parts that do.

The squishy parts that feel good.

Obeying your boss when it feels right.

Giving to charity when you really do have plenty of extra.

Regularly attending a church where you feel continually affirmed.

Loving your child when they love you back.

But what about the ugly parts?

Loving the underserved in your family?

Giving to others out of your poverty?

Pushing aside instant entertainment to drink in the wisdom of God’s word?

Praying for your people even when you’re tired?

Doing the right thing when the rest of the world thinks differently?

Standing for God’s truth even if your loved ones turn away?

We all tend to choose obedience and surrender when we want to. The challenge remains to obey and surrender when we don’t feel like it. When it goes against our flesh.

Obedience to God might look a little different in my life than yours.

God asks things of us that are personal to the impact He has in store for us.

Me? God asked me to start writing down His words of wisdom more than a dozen years ago.

Starting this blog, I was nervous as it seemed I was sharing my bare naked heart.

But I obeyed.

And here we are. My 500th post.

From this blog my book was birthed, selling over 91,000 so far, not including the recent Spanish edition or audio book.

Just signed my contract for a second book – prayers to go with each devotion.

And they are also creating a journal to go with my book.

All because I obeyed. Even though starting the blog felt really weird.

Trust God and obey. Surrender to what He has for you.

It might be a little scary, but when God asks you to do it, He’ll give you all the strength, wisdom, and peace you need.

Can’t wait to hear what He does through your obedience and surrender to Him. 🙂

Photos by Bartłomiej Balicki, joe ting, Tim Marshall, & Marcos Paulo Prado on Unsplash

Tired Like a Mama

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat……And they went away…..When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them… Mark 6:30-34

Jesus preached and worked all the live long day.

Every day, tirelessly, He fed His sheep.

But even Jesus wanted rest.

But when He tried, the crowds would run to find Him.

And He would begin again, feeding them. Healing them. Helping them.

As mamas, our children tend to find us, too.

We try to get away, but it’s never for more than a few minutes.

You hide in the bathroom.

Pretty soon, you hear the little feet outside your door. A timid knock. You reply, “Just a minute!”

You lay your tired head down to sleep, and your baby awakens, demanding attention.

You try sleeping in past the ungodly hour of 6am, but the dog comes in with a note on its back, asking for pancakes. Pancakes?

When babies are little, you carry them everywhere with you.

Bedtime? They are next to you in a cradle.

Want a shower? You bring them to the floor in a bouncy seat.

Just starting to walk? They are always within view.

Going anywhere? Guess who is coming with you!

Yes, we have moments where they nap.

Yes, we have moments when they’re occupied and you can catch your breath.

But the constant parenting is never ending, even when they’re older.

I’m convinced tired mamas are under God’s wings.

He knows dog tired as He was so many times while walking this earth.

Humans are exhausting.

But here’s the good news: God is never exhausted.

He has unlimited strength to give you.

Jesus experienced human tiredness as He was fully human, yet fully God.

And He remembers.

Ask Him to fill you with His strength. His peace. His joy.

And smile, because He understands tired.

He gets it!

So if you’re in the season of tired mama stuff, take heart.

God understands. And I promise it will end, but not soon enough, I know.

And if you’re plain tired from reasons other than helping tiny humans survive, God’s ready to fill you up with His strength, too.

Because when we are weak, He is strong. So very strong.

Photos by Jon Flobrant, Ephraim Mayrena, Olivia Snow, & Sai De Silva on Unsplash

Rock & Refuge

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul, and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place. Psalm 31:7-8

Isn’t God good? He sees our affliction. He knows our distress, yet He keeps us safe and sound.

Not only does He keep us safe, He sets us in a strong place.

Psalm 31 begins by David declaring refuge in God.

Putting his trust in God, and asking God to rescue him.

David declares “You are my rock and my fortress”, meaning God is his anchor and protection.

He reminds God “You take me out of the net…for You are my refuge”.

God has continually rescued David, like God has continually rescued you.

God has seen all of it. All of your life, God has seen.

Every moment of every day.

He has seen your deep distress wrapping your mind.

He has seen this, that, and every little bit.

But even while afflicted, David was not handed over to the enemy. God did not allow it.

And while you’ve been afflicted, God has not allowed you to be given over to the devil.

What do I mean?

While in deep dispair, are you still alive?

While struggling with the persecution of others, is your soul still rejoicing in the Lord?

While surrounded with impossible situations, are you still placing your hope and trust in God Almighty?

God has protected your soul from leaving the safety of His refuge.

God has kept you with Him, not allowing the devil to take all of you.

It might seem like the devil has had his way, but it could always be worse.

God could abandon you, and He has not.

He will not.

Instead of allowing the devil to take you away, God has set your feet in a broad place.

Meaning, you are safe.

Yes, keep asking God to rescue you.

Yes, keep begging God to redeem your situation.

But in the midst, thank God for His rock of refuge.

Thank God for seeing your affliction and the distress of your soul.

Thank Him for standing with you in his strong fortress.

Paul reminds us we are more than conquerers in Romans 8:37.

Are you?

You are if you keep yourself hidden in God as He works everything out.

We are more than conquerers through Him in all things, not in spite of them, but in the midst of them. (Oswald Chambers).

Photos by Ben Karpinski, Sead Dedić, Tim Oun, & Simon Berger on Unsplash

Squashed Bug

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

When someone talks down to you, how does that make you feel?

How about if you become the fall out and it wasn’t even your fault?

When you’re surprised at someone’s reaction as they share none of the blame?

When you don’t feel heard, and you realize your voice is barely above a whisper?

How does it make you feel when the conversation leaves you smaller than you were. Tiny, in fact. So tiny, you feel like a bug that was just squashed completely flat?

I know how you feel. Because I felt that recently.

Had a hard conversation, and let’s just say they were only interested in one thing.

Their opinion.

Their right to state their opinion.

Their right to state their opinion in a way that left me squashed.

Interestingly enough, I’ve been taking an education leadership class.

Well, three actually, but who’s counting!

Anyhow, because I am taking these classes at a Christian university, there is always a filter of God through each concept.

How would this response or that decision reflect God and how He operates?

Brings me to that hard conversation.

The conversation directed towards me was missing understanding, grace, and a humble spirit.

Left me thinking thoughts I will not admit, but God has allowed me to see the point beyond the conversation.

God allows yuck to happen, and when it comes, we should ask ourselves what must He be teaching us?

I’ll tell you what I learned.

How not to treat other people.

How not to respond to filth.

How not to bring another person down as I lift up my own self.

Because I know how that felt – terrible.

And I never want to make someone else feel that way. Ever.

When having tough conversations, make sure you are tuned into God’s mind. God’s ways. God’s voice.

Yes, sometimes we might have to deliver unwanted messages, but we can season our talk with understanding, empathy, and love.

And when the other person feels heard, our message will be received, leaving the other with their dignity intact.

Ask God to keep filling you up with Himself.

His words of life.

As we are responsible for the words of our mouths, “may the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, our STRENGTH and our REDEEMER” (from Psalm 19:14).

And then when we talk with the world, our words will leave a lovely taste of God as we represent Him with all we do and say.

Photos by Charlotte Descamps &  Annie Spratt on Unsplash