Letting the Children Grow Up

Published on by amylinnea4 Comments

As moms, we pour into our children our very lives.

Sacrificing our bodies, minds, and emotions for their well-being.

Rarely are we thanked or fully appreciated.

Sure, we have moments of redemption, but let’s face it: motherhood is a sacrifice.

We sacrifice for them. For those little people who either came from our bodies or grew within our hearts.

Only when they become parents will they even begin to realize our sacrifice.

But that’s ok, because that’s our job.

As kids grow older, our relationship changes.

We can do anything while they remain under 10.

Overnight, we suddenly know nothing, cannot possibly relate, and are not “with it”.

Finally, as our children enter their 20’s, they regain consciousness, acknowledging our immense wisdom.

Gasp, they even apologize or come to us for advice.

As kids grow, don’t take things personally.

They need to grow up. Without us hovering over them.

The goal is for them to leave the nest. Able to navigate life without us.

So if that life includes choices we would not deem appropriate, it’s their choices. Does not reflect upon you.

While not every child will wrap up their college graduation with a proper wedding, embrace your child anyhow.

So what if they get married before a judge, not telling you in advance?

They have married the love of their life. Hallelujah!

Plus, you just saved on wedding costs. Sigh, I know. It’s better if you’re there.

Give it to God. He knows your heart.

Give your mommy heart to God. You work like a slave when they are young, but when they are older, it’s the big things that can break you.

But remember, God loves your children even more then you.

He’s got them and you. Keep praying, paste that smile on your face, and let them go.

Because when you do, God’s peace will cover your anxiety and your children will text you back.

Maybe not right away, but eventually they will.

Photos by Joshua Reddekopp, Guillaume de Germain, & Helena Lopes on Unsplash

Succumbing to Temptation

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

Not only does Satan want to silence your witness, he also wishes to crush your very existence.

He always begins small.

Tiny.

Almost unnoticeable.

Look at this sinful site.

That wasn’t so bad.

Do it again.

And before you know it, you’re craving that sin.

You’ve even rationalized it’s acceptance in your life.

It’s now no big deal.

Happens with lying, cheating, gossiping, stealing – you name the sin, it generally starts small.

How did that happen?

Succumbing to temptation from the pit of hell.

It might not seem like a big deal, but it IS.

We are all human, so when you slip, repent.

Repent and ask God to help you resist.

He will fill you up with Himself, which is the only way to fully resist the devil.

James 4: 7 reminds us of what to do.

Only with God can you resist the devil.

And God is with you when you humble yourself, submitting to God’s authority.

His rules of right and wrong.

Not yours.

Sin begins and, if not squelched, grows.

It grows like a weed, taking over all of the good soil.

Before you know it, the garden is full of seeds, that left untouched, will keep infiltrating the future possibility of goodness.

Allowing sin as parents furthers its demise on our children.

The sin grows, and children begin to accept it as an acceptable alternative to the truth.

Absolutely breaks my heart.

But God is bigger.

And He is above all things.

He has all authority.

Yank out those weeds when they are easy to pull.

Ask God to help you pull out the ones with deep roots.

Submit yourself to God, asking Him to fill you with His power, love, and sound mind.

Your generations will unknowingly thank you for your faithfulness to Almighty God.

Fall on your knees, asking God if there is any sin in your life you have accepted as normal.

Submit yourself to God and He will help you resist the devil each and every time.

Photos by Annie Spratt, Jon Tyson, & Ben White on Unsplash

Targeted Trusting

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In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? Psalm 56:4

Is your view of God colored by your circumstances?

Do you praise Him in the raindrops or just in the sunshine?

Do you trust Him only when smoothly sailing through life or do you trust Him still when your path remains dark?

Do you acknowledge His sovereignty when your plans fall apart?

Do you obey Him even when you feel lost?

Jesus kept trusting in His Father’s plan when questioned by Jewish leaders.

He was faithful while tempted by Satan during 40 days in the desert.

He kept pouring into his disciples, even when their focus was earthly.

He chose Judas, knowing the impending future betrayal.

Jesus trusted His Father, for everything.

Every decision, every moment, every breath.

We should follow His example

Our faith in God should not waiver, no matter the comfort or stress.

Rain or shine, I will trust You.

Snow or hail, I will trust You.

Map or no map, I will trust You.

In turmoil or peace, I chose to trust You.

We trust God simply because He is God and we are not.

He holds our future.

He wants our best.

But only if we surrender and trust Him, even when the winds of life change.

Photos by Joseph Chan, Alex Shute, Andy Li, & Marek Piwnicki on Unsplash

Refuge and Strength

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God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way; though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Psalm 46:1-3

This Psalm depicts absolute dire circumstances.

The earth gives way.

The earth literally moves away.

The mountains are moved into the sea.

Tall giant mountains are now in the water.

The water surrounds, causing the mountain to tremble.

Real calamity.

But yet, the psalm starts with God.

God is a present help in the midst of earth shattering consequences.

He is above the fray.

Has your life given way?

Do you have important people or situations impossibly thrown into the sea of chaos?

God promises to be your strength in the midst.

In the midst of the swirling waters, which make no sense, God is there.

He is present even in the midst.

Even in the unanswered prayers.

Even in the misunderstood situations.

Your life can become like nothing you recognize, but you can still rely in God.

He has, is, and always will be with you.

But it is your choice.

God cannot remain your ever present help if you choose to focus on the storm.

On your mountain which has been thrown unexpectedly into the sea.

When the safety of the ground beneath gives way, what is your response?

Trusting God, who promises to be your refuge in the midst?

God is our present, real, never leaving help in trouble.

Because of this, we will not fear when life throws up around us.

Why?

Because our God stands with us.

In Him we find refuge and strength.

Photos by Christian Cueni & Joseph Barrientos on Unsplash

Perfect Deliverance

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I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4

I don’t know about you, but I find this absolutely incredible.

If we ask, God will deliver us from our fears.

God, who created all things, will answer us, providing us freedom from our fears.

What are your fears?

Fear of the uncertain future?

Fear of a certain person and their reactions to you?

Fear of messing up, not being perfect?

Fear of people knowing the real you?

Fear of rejection?

We all were created for love, so not finding acceptance is huge.

Psalm 34 reminds us we must seek God first.

God gives us a choice to seek Him or not.

But when we seek God, He will answer us.

He’s alive, wanting a relationship with us.

That’s why He created you.

Delivering us from all our fears sounds great.

Here’s the thing, though.

When God answers you, delivering you from fear, you have a choice to go back or not.

Satan tempts us with the same fears as he knows us and our weaknesses.

He desperately wants to keep you sucked in with fear.

Paralyzed even.

Every time you are tempted with that fear, you must not open your hands to receive it.

You must cling to God’s promises, rejecting the lies Satan provides through fear.

Call on God and He will answer you, freeing you from ALL your fears.

Keep calling on God to help you and He will.

Whenever you call on Him, He will be there for you.

In fact He’ll never leave. 🙂

Photos by Jeremy Hynes, Joshua Hoehne, Nic Berlin, & Rafaëlla Waasdorp on Unsplash

Poor Little Me

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The poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. Psalm 34:6

We are poor.

Yep.

Without God, we are covered in sin and poor in spirit.

Within ourselves, we lack everything.

Yes, God creates us with wisdom, strength, and certain talents, but without God’s power, our talents are human.

Flawed.

Subject to our emotional whims.

As ourselves, we cry out to God and He hears us.

Not only does He hear us, but the Bible reminds us He saves us from trouble!

Astounding!

Why does God care to hear us?

Because He created us and longs to have a relationship with us.

But He gave us the choice.

When we choose to recognize how poor we are without Him, He answers us, rescuing completely.

Apart from God, we are poor.

Desparate.

Naked and alone.

But with God, we are royalty, covered in His redemption and love.

And with God, we are rescued.

Saved.

Acknowledge your need for your Savior, and He will immediately rush in, rescuing you from harm.

You might still have struggles or even extreme hardship in life, but with God by your side, you will not only survive the storms, but you will thrive.

Cry out to God.

He will hear you and save your little ‘ole self.

Photos by Susie Ho, bill wegener, & Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Locked Up

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The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

Are you locked up?

Are you paralyzed with fear?

Filled with anxious thoughts, unable to move forward?

When we choose to rely on our own strength, we tend to lock ourselves up, away from everyone and everything.

When that happens, we choose to remain alone.

Stuck.

Separated by God’s peace.

Why do you choose to do that?

Don’t you trust God to help?

When life seems impossible, that’s when God can step in, revealing His purposes.

But only if we let Him.

God gives us a choice.

To move with Him or without.

If we choose to ignore Him, we will become stuck.

Stuck within our selfish strength or stuck within our paralyzing fear.

But if we let God help us, our lock will relent, releasing the door to open.

God promises to enter, but only if we say yes.

How have you said no to God?

What areas of your life are closed or even locked to God?

Time to allow Him to unlock your prison door!

Photos by Beth Macdonald, Shazaf Zafar, Everyday basics, &  Jornada Produtora on Unsplash

Dear God, Help!

Published on by amylinnea3 Comments

The Lord will rescue His servants; no one who takes refuge in Him will be condemned. Psalm 34:22

This is big.

Too big.

Too much.

I can’t even wrap my mind around it, so there’s that.

I’m going to call it simply impossible.

Dead end, that’s where this situation lays.

No literal way out.

My mind is wrapped in anxiety and dread.

Blanketed with fear, causing my stomach to lurch whenever my mind remembers.

Standing at the edge, I throw up my hands in surrender.

God, I can do nothing to help.

I am not in control.

God, please help.

Please take it all away, sweeping in with Your goodness, health, and peace.

I know Your plan is not for evil, but for good.

And I know you created us with the choice to follow Your virtues or not.

While I cannot control the whims of others, I can purpose myself on You.

On Your truth.

On Your wisdom.

On Your peace.

We all face mountains, be them family situations, health, or other, that become defining points in time.

How will your mountain define you?

Turning to God, trusting Him to solve it all?

Or turning into yourself, which will 100% fail you and those you love.

Turn to Him, who created our universe and everything within.

Turn to Him, giving Him every worry, anxiety, and fear.

Turn to Him and let Him hold you, making it all better.

And watch Him work miracles.

Either you’ll see Him solve things as only He can, or you will witness Him providing you with His perfect peace within the storm.

Either way, your front row seat will behold His perfect miracle just for you.

Photos by Phạm Trọng Họ,  Ben White, & Naassom Azevedo on Unsplash

The Lord Goes Before You

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The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8

When God goes before us, He knows before we do.

He sees things before we do.

He feels things before we do.

He literally clears the path before us.

Picture a shepherd or a warrior.

Taking their weapon, they sweep the weeds, creating a path for you.

Scouting their eyes, they notice dangers.

They note possible wild animals.

Depressions in the earth.

Approaching weather.

Even good things, they notice.

Then He runs back to you, walking by your side.

He’s your protector.

Your shield.

He’s your dad.

Never leaving.

Always available.

For your safety and wellbeing.

How can I ever be afraid or discouraged with God going before me?

Facing an uncomfortable situation?

Picture God already going before you, literally clearing your path.

Picture Him running back to walk with you every step of the way.

He’s got you.

He’s got me.

He’s got this for us and more.

Photos by Emma Frances Logan, JOHN TOWNER, Karl Anderson, Subhadeep Dishant, & tamara garcevic on Unsplash

God’s Faithful Path

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All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. Psalm 25:10

When you keep walking on the path God has for you, you will experience His love and faithfulness.

No, it won’t always be easy, but you will stay within Him.

You will walk in His love, which is God Himself.

God is always faithful to those who keep His covenant.

To those who keep His commandments, His word.

And when you obey Him, you will stay within His love and faithfulness.

There is nothing better then experiencing God’s love.

His love is perfect.

All encompassing.

All knowing.

His faithfulness reminds you He is always with you.

HIs promises are true.

God’s faithfulness to you is a beacon of hope.

A promise of future security.

A secure dwelling place.

When you choose to walk with God, He will be your faithful friend.

Your heart will be filled with His love.

Your blanks will be filled with Him.

But only when you choose to follow Him, walking hand in hand down His path.

What is stopping you?

Selfish desires?

Do you not know God has your very best interest at heart?

Seek Him with all you have.

Ask Him to fill you with HIs very self.

And in return, you will be reminded of His faithfulness and love for you.

As you keep His covenant, you will be a testimony to God Himself.

What an absolute honor.

Am I right?

God doesn’t need you to fulfill His plan.

But He wants you to join Him.

Take it in all humility, and watch Him work through you.

Become His vessel through which His love and faithfulness is revealed to the world.

Through this choice, you will keep His covenant, showing the world His testimony through you.

What an honor.

Photos by Ars Buchatski, Mick Haupt, Maksim Shutov, & Jan Huber on Unsplash

Zero Opportunity

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

And give no opportunity to the devil. Ephesians 4:27

That seems like a no brainer, doesn’t it?

Why would we ever want to give the devil an opportunity to reign in our lives?

To take anything over?

Why would we grant the devil a foothold into our lives?

If refusing the devil an opportunity is common sense, why would the Bible need to remind us?

Because we need it.

Constantly.

We are always inviting the devil back into our lives when we sin.

Through our thoughts.

Our actions.

Our words.

Sometimes all three.

Do we consciously invite him?

Like offering him a physical invite?

No.

But we do when we fight with our loved ones.

We do when we cause others to sin.

We give the devil opportunity when we listen to his lies planted into our mind.

Fights with your spouse come to mind.

Ever think the other person acted a certain way when they didn’t intend to?

Calm the heck down and lovingly talk with them.

Or, you can react within yourself, recoiling in anger.

That allows the devil his opportunity.

How about your child’s selfish retort towards your careful cooking?

Into your head pops a lie from the pit.

If you allow that sudden untruth to cement into true reality, you’ve given the devil his opportunity.

Cheating at work?

Or on your taxes?

There are millions of ways we can provide the devil an opportunity to step into our lives.

He’s literally standing right there, simply waiting to jump back.

He can’t wait.

Let’s make him wait.

Purpose in your mind to close the door on his schemes.

It takes God’s strength in you to fight off the earned selfish retorts you could honestly repay others.

When others hurt you, that’s when Satan comes full force as we seem weak.

And we are when we are hurt.

We start believing his lies about our loved ones.

Stop.

Stop giving the devil any opportunity in your life or your relationships.

Praise the name of the Lord instead.

That will send the devil and your self-pity ways screaming down the road.

And oh ya: don’t let the door hit you on the way out 🙂

Photos by Brina Blum, Van Tay Media, Jan Tinneberg, Maick Maciel, & Wolfgang Rottmann on Unsplash

Walking Away

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Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Have a loved one who has walked away from God?

Maybe abandoning God or simply choosing to skip church?

It’s heartbreaking.

As parents, we want the very best for our children.

And the very best includes God.

When children are growing, we banish the thought they will ever willingly walk away from God.

We think our children will never be one of those outcasts.

Our precious little angels would never choose the world over God.

Well, it happens.

Even with our best laid plans, they do.

Kids can walk away.

It’s heartbreaking, knowing they are choosing to live without God.

Choosing to live outside of God’s umbrella of protection.

Know something?

God understands this pain parents experience.

The deep pain of knowing your child is not choosing God and His truth.

As our Father, God’s heart wants all of His creation to know Him.

To choose Him, delving into His abundant grace and love.

And every person who turns their back on God, breaks His heart.

His father’s protective heart.

Rest in the knowledge that God, as a parent, understands.

Not only does He understand, but He cares even more than you.

He seeks your children, too.

Place your not so little ones back into the arms of God.

Lift off your burden, handing it also into His capable hands.

Keep interceding on their behalf.

But partner with God.

Lean on Him, remembering how much He understands your pain.

You have one Giant Ally- God Himself.

That should produce a smile. 🙂

Photos by Claudio Schwarz, Daiga Ellaby, Ekaterina Shakharova, & Nick Fewings on Unsplash

Walking in Wisdom

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Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise. Ephesians 5:15

Are you walking wisely through life?

Or are you subscribing to any whim you possess, acting as an unwise person?

God asks us to look carefully how we walk.

He wants us to represent Him as wise people.

When we react unwisely, or as in anger or spite, we unfortunately place God in a bad light.

Are you walking in the flesh, acting on every selfish whim?

Or are you seeking God, walking in a wise manner?

Choosing to walk wisely is difficult at best.

Our flesh cries out for selfish desires.

For literally unwise actions as we seek justice, not God’s desires.

Additionally, we tend to listen to lies from the pit when unwisely, we succumb to self-pity or other sins.

Walking wisely with God requires dedication.

Dedication to God Himself.

Focus as well.

Rejecting selfish thoughts or feelings.

Our flesh cries out for selfish desires.

We feel we must feed ourselves.

But God asks us to walk carefully as wise people.

Wise people seek God.

May we purpose ourselves to reject our selfish natures, aligning ourselves instead to God’s ways alone.

As we walk along God’s path, we will reflect His wisdom, bringing the world His truth.

Our world desperately needs God’s truth.

Keep that in mind as you become HIs witness to our world.

Reflect His wisdom.

If you don’t, you will reflect unwisdom, which may turn others far away from Him.

Your life is a witness.

Reflect Him.

Photos by Syaoran 7,  Alex Lopez, Joel Muniz, Ben White on Unsplash

It’s a Wonderful Life

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And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:15

Is it?

Is your life wonderful?

George Bailey’s life was.

But He didn’t see it.

All he saw was what he didn’t have.

He chose to view life through that lens.

The lens of what he didn’t have instead of what he possessed.

He had little material wealth.

His job was stressful as a loan officer in a small town, riding through the depression and WWII.

Yet through his control and influence, he seemed to hold things together.

Until his Uncle Billy, who lost the $8,000 on Christmas Eve, sent George over the edge.

Because he viewed his life considering his many problems, he was filled with despair when control slipped through his fingers.

God proceeded to teach him a lesson by way of his guardian angel Clarance.

George began walking through his town as if he had never been born.

That messed with him as he no longer saw love by giving or receiving it.

No wife, children, job, or legacy.

Even his friends no longer knew him.

When George saw all of this, he realized what was truly important, beyond the money crisis gripping his soul.

He had a precious family who loved him.

He had multiple friends.

He lived in a wonderful town.

And he mattered.

What lens do you look through to see your life?

Do you look past your blessings, gazing only upon your problems?

Or do you look past your problems, focusing instead on your blessings?

Guessing we won’t wake up tomorrow, looking at our life as if we never were.

Also guessing we won’t have a dream tonight that, like Scrooge, takes us into our past, present, and future dependent upon our present choices.

But we can decide to repurpose our new year, looking to God for our strength, wisdom, and peace.

We can walk in George’s shoes, realizing how material possessions simply do not matter when love is absent.

We can remind ourselves how every moment in our lives is placed by God.

And that we matter to not only God, but dozens, if not hundreds of other people.

This new year, walk with your head held high.

Connect with others and in the process, you’ll connect others to Him.

There is nothing else to do that really matters.

Photos by David Beale, Honey Fangs, & Ryan Wallace on Unsplash

Hope for the World

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And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. Psalm 39:7

Christmas means hope.

Hope for our redemption.

Without Christmas, we have no hope.

No hope for heaven as mere Gentiles.

And the Jewish law was incredibly hard to keep perfectly.

Christmas is our celebration of Jesus’ birth.

His birth ushered in a new era of hope.

Hope for our broken world.

When Jesus came, the world was steeped within itself.

The Jewish people were waiting for the Messiah.

But when He came, many did not believe.

In fact, they crucified Him as an imposter.

He didn’t look like what they expected.

What has God done in your life?

When He answers your prayers, does it look like what you expected?

Is it possibly different than you thought?

Ever feel convinced your answer isn’t God since it looks different?

Keep pursuing Him.

God’s heart poured out on Christmas Day when His Son was born.

His Son, Jesus, was born for you and for me.

He was born to fill the world with the hope of salvation.

And God’s answer to the world looked different than what His people expected.

What type of hope do you need this Christmas season?

Is it material?

Relational?

Physical?

Jesus came to bring Himself into the world.

He came to sever the barrier between God and His people.

He came to crush the neck of Satan.

And He did all of that and more.

Look upon the baby Jesus, sleeping in the manger.

Think about the hope we now have because of Him.

Thank our Father for sending Jesus, keeping us in His thoughts.

God wants the very best for you.

The very best was sending His only Son.

Jesus is simply everything.

Because of Him, we have hope for all things.

Which is everything.

Thank you, God, for pursuing us.

We are incredibly grateful and forever in debt.

May we remember Your hope that spilled at Christmas.

May we remember Your defeat of Satan as you rose from the dead.

And may we always keep You close within our hearts.

Photos by Max Beck, Tanner Mardis, Greyson Joralemon, Yannick Pulver, Inbal Malca, & Sebastian Fröhlich on Unsplash

Advent Devotions

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I can remember one year, when my children were little, they memorized Luke 2, King James Version of course, because the language just seems fitting with the season.

They recited it before we opened presents.

Such a powerful story we seem to think little about as it is so familiar.

In honor of our Savior’s birth, I assembled some previously written devotions especially for this precious season.

Feel free to read them all in one sitting or spread them out until Christmas Day.

Shepherds
Wise Men
Interrupting Plans
God’s Chosen

Read Luke 2 again.

Ask God to give you fresh eyes to see His story written for you.

Christmas is coming!!!!!

Photo by S&B Vonlanthen on Unsplash

He Knows

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You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:16

God understands you.

After all, He created you.

He planned you from the foundation of the world.

He saw you born.

He saw you grow.

He laughed when your baby babble emerged.

He was touched when you sang your Sunday school songs.

Especially when you belted out Jesus Loves Me.

Because He does love you, ever so much.

He saw you confused as you entered adulthood, unsure of what choices to make.

He saw your bursts of kindness to others, and your not so subtle bouts with anger.

He felt your laughter and your tears.

He continues to count the hairs on your head as He walks beside you every day.

God longs to be your closest friend.

Your sounding board.

There is no one closer to you than God.

There is no one who knows you better.

But God will never push Himself into your life.

He wants to be asked.

And once you do, He’ll step right in, holding your hand the rest of the way.

Go ahead.

Ask Him.

Even if you’ve proclaimed your faith long ago, you still must choose to walk by His side.

Each day, there are multiple times we can choose to walk away from His peace, wisdom, and love.

Probably more like hundreds.

And when we walk away, He’s always waiting for us to run back into His arms.

His grace will always take you back.

The grace from Jesus’ death on the cross, which paid the penalty for all of our many daily sins.

God is holy.

And if it wasn’t for Jesus’ sacrifice, God would not be approachable due to our sinful selves.

Because of Jesus we have everything we need.

But we must choose God each and every day.

Decide to choose Him this today, trusting Him for all your tomorrows.

And do that again the next day.

And the next.

Happily ever after.

Photos by Kelli McClintock, Guillaume de Germain, Alejandro Luengo, & Angelo Pantazis on Unsplash

Utmost Confidence

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For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16

Jesus knows.

Jesus, who is God, the Creator of ALL things, understands.

Your weakness has sympathy with God.

Instead of shaming us, He understands.

He understands because He was human, walking our world, tempted with this and that.

Yet He did not sin.

Ever.

Having God literally sympathize with us for our weaknesses, is incredible.

Unique.

Precious.

But there’s more.

His understanding comes with a bonus, His strength.

When we are weak, God wants us to ask Him for help, because He actually will.

Do we deserve it?

Nope.

But Hebrews reminds us we must approach the undeserved throne of grace with confidence.

Instead of pointing His finger, condemning us while we are down, He opens His grace filled arms, waiting with armfuls of mercy.

Recognize your need for Him.

Repent for trying life within yourself alone.

Ask Him to fill you instead with Himself – His mercy and grace.

And purpose to try again, choosing to act within His strength alone, absent of yourself.

Yes, we will continue messing up, because we are sinful.

But we have God, who really knows how we feel, always sitting there, right by our side.

He’ll scoop out our crud, replacing it with His perfect self.

Almost makes me happy to be so weak!

Photos by Łukasz Rawa & Aaron Burden on Unsplash

But God

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to Himself. 2 Corinthians 4:13-14

It’s impossible.

But God.

Utterly unattainable.

But God.

Completely devastating.

But God.

Simply too much.

But God.

It’s like you’ve forgotten all about Him.

His power.

But God.

Two words with big meaning.

Heard this phrase years ago, don’t remember where.

Today, those words plopped back into my brain.

But God.

The first word is a conjunction – a coordinating conjunction if you care to know the type.

Connects words and phrases together.

One could use the conjunction and instead.

And God.

That works as we include God.

Not as powerful in my humble opinion.

But God shows me everything stops because God enters.

It’s all impossible, except for one variable: God.

Almost like you’ve forgotten the climax to the movie, or the surprised twist at the end.

By placing the phrase But God at the end of your story, there’s hope.

A future.

More to come.

And that future has the all powerful, all knowing Lord writing the end of your story.

Each situation, big or small, can include God.

But it’s up to you.

What words will you utter when faced with difficulties?

Why me?

Or –

But God.

Go ahead and ask God why He’s given you this trial.

But end your whispers with But God.

Ask Him to finish your story.

He has a beautiful ending, if you’ll only let Him enter in, bringing Himself in all His glory.

Photos by Vladimir Fedotov, Pawan Sharma, Mantas Hesthaven, & Dalton Touchberry on Unsplash

Teeny Tiny Thanks

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11

Thanksgiving, a time to be thankful.

We have SO much to be thankful to God for.

Life, our very breath breathed from God Himself.

Family, those to whom we would do anything to help.

Another day, pregnant with possibilities.

God, the creator of ALL things, who whispers His love to us every day.

Worship music, which allows us a tiny glimpse of worshipping God in heaven.

Nourishment for our mortal bodies as we keep walking on this earth.

Pure water, filling our teeny cells with life.

The Bible, which, when opened, allows us to see the very heart of God.

Shelter from the storms of life, whether a home, room, or cozy dorm.

Paychecks from our jobs, which allow the bills to be paid on time.

Blessings, which look different for us all, but every single one is precious, nonetheless.

Coffee, the drink from God, which allows us to do all He asks of us.

Kidding, kind’ve.

Wisdom from on High, which helps us choose just what He wants us to do.

Peace from God, which passes ALL understanding when considering what path we sometimes walk.

Pure joy, the fruit of the Spirit most unexplainable.

When we have joy in the midst of life’s sufferings, the world notices.

Joy in the storm proves God is above it all.

And He is.

Above it all.

God is above our wants and desires.

He is above our family.

God is above our past, present, and future.

God is our ultimate thanksgiving prayer.

God, who created ALL things, wants me.

He wants all of us to be His.

Surrender afresh again to Him alone.

And with thanksgiving, give Him your very self.

He will faithfully fill you with enough to not only survive, but thrive.

And thank Him for the hurt.

For the ugly.

For when we are in the midst of the fire, we see You more clearly.

We see Your suffering for us on the cross.

We see our human need for You.

We are humbled once again as we seek Your face.

So, yes, we are thankful, very thankful for the churning seas of life.

Thank you, God, for all You do for us, the good and the ugly.

We could not even breathe without You.

To You, everything we owe.

And we are so very thankful.

Photos by Simon Maage, Volodymyr Hryshchenko, & Ryan Christodoulou on Unsplash

Warrior

Published on by amylinnea4 Comments

For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 1 John 5:4

Where are you?

I’m over here.

Where?

Here. In the corner. I’m a huddled mess.

You are? Oh, now I see something over there. What did you say you were? A huddled mess?

Yes. I’m crouched down in the corner.

No, you’re not. All I see is a giant warrior standing tall.

You do?

Yep, in the same corner you say you are.

What do you see?

A giant warrior wearing shiny brass armor covering every square inch. And a gleaming helmet. Oh, and a beautifully sharp sword.

In my corner? You don’t see me?

Hold on, let me walk over. Now, do you see me?

Yes, I see you coming towards me.

But I’m walking towards the warrior. Wait. That’s you.

Me? I’m the warrior?

Yes. Look down. What do you see?

Oh my goodness. I see a sword. And armor. And I’m looking through a helmet.

God has covered your weak self with His very own power. You are literally no longer a huddled mess.

But I still feel like a complete wreck.

You might feel like that, but you don’t look like that with God’s power covering you.

I see a warrior.

God’s warrior.

Remember when you prayed for God to fill you with Himself?

Well, He came and did just that. You are now completely covered by God, because you have chosen Him.

Guessing the devil won’t bother messing with you looking like this as he sees you as God’s protected child.

I sure wouldn’t want to mess with you covered in God’s power like you are.

So even though I feel like the same person, when I prayed for God to fill me with Himself, He actually covered me with His power?

Praise God! Well, this changes things, now doesn’t it?!!

Watch out world, here I come, a beloved, protected child of God!

God has set me free and I will stand tall because His power lives in me.

Oh God, please fill us up with Yourself today, tomorrow, and always.

May we constantly be reminded that we are Your child.

Loved.

Protected.

Safe.

And let us never forget to live within Your power as we fight every lie, sinful deed, or selfish way.

Photos by Nik Shuliahin, Brownyn Erb, & Jon Tyson on Unsplash

No Condemnation

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1

There is absolutely zero condemnation when you are His.

God’s.

When you have given your life to God, the world’s condemnation no longer sticks.

It’s no longer your identity.

You are covered, instead, by God Himself.

Chosen.

Loved.

Valuable.

Are you still living under your old identity?

Your old condemned self?

Why?

Whatever for?

Because it’s what you know.

Your old ways are safe.

Known.

When you face trials, you revert to old labels.

Because they are like old familiar blankets.

Wrapping up in self-pity feels normal.

Clothing yourself in anger feels justified.

When you choose to become God’s, you are changed.

Your identity becomes new.

Condemnation falls away.

Fear goes.

Anxiety flees.

But only if you choose to stay under the new identity from God.

The choice is yours.

Romans 8 reminds us God declares we have no condemnation when we are His.

But He gives us free will.

You can choose at anytime, to walk from under His wings.

Out from His identity for you.

Your old identity is out there.

Easily attainable and readily available.

But with it comes the usual fear, anxiety, and angst.

Because it also includes the absence of God’s peace.

Reaching for your old identity results from walking in the flesh.

In your own sinful self.

Romans 8 urges us to walk in the Spirit, not in the flesh.

Because when we walk with God according to His will, we are within His peace.

Not condemned.

Choose every day to walk with God.

Choose every day to refuse the pull of the flesh.

When you do, condemnation will fall away as God Himself remains.

Photos by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Destroyer

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10

That’s the new name I have for the devil.

Destroyer.

Why?

Because I’ve come to a sudden realization.

Satan literally wants to destroy me.

All of me.

He wants to keep me stuck within the boundaries of fear.

He wants to remind me of my failures, which are many.

He wants to keep multiple rejection memories on the forefront of my mind, building more when he can.

He wants to tie my hands, believing there is no more hope with my family.

He wants to fill my mind with doubt, fear, and anxiety.

And, hello!

Satan wants all of that for you, too.

Satan is out to destroy us.

All of us.

If he succeeds, then our witness for God is negated.

Because God has already won, Satan can only do this one thing.

All Satan can do is destroy our witness on earth, so we are unable to bring more people with us to God.

And let me tell you – he will try as hard as he can.

He will stop at nothing.

Why?

Because he has absolutely nothing to lose.

News flash:

Satan’s already lost, so he is dripping with greed, desperate to take you with him.

You and as many people as he possibly can.

So what is your response?

Will you let him destroy you?

Slam God’s sword into the ground, and say NO.

When you ask God to infuse you with Himself, He will enable you to stand firm.

And with God on your side, Satan literally has NO CHANCE.

He will not destroy you.

Instead, God will free you to bring others to Himself with you.

What an honor.

Photos by Michael Dziedzic, R.D. Smith, Stormseeker, & Ricardo Cruz on Unsplash

God Sees You

Published on by amylinnea3 Comments

He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with His wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Psalm 91:4

Adonai El Roi is the Hebrew term for “The God who sees me”.

Meaning this: God sees you.

God, who created all things, sees you.

You.

Little ole’ you.

Ever feel invisible?

I know you aren’t, but you might feel unseen.

Not cared for.

Unvalued.

Invisible.

You might be among the living, but feel dead inside.

When we do not feel valued, we feel dead.

Invisible.

But God sees you.

He sees all of you, the good, bad, and the ugly.

He sees your heart.

He sees your dreams.

He sees your ever hopeful anticipation and your extreme disappointments.

Is that enough?

Only if you allow Him to cover you.

Because He sees you.

Psalm 91:4 reminds us that “He will cover us with His feather and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

He covers you because He sees you and He cares to be your comfort.

Your protection.

Your protecting shield.

You are not invisible to God Almighty.

He is your Adonai El Roi.

Your God who sees You.

Photos by Mick Haupt, Caleb Woods, Annie Spratt, & Debby Hudson on Unsplash

Prickly People

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Philippians 2:3

You know the type.

Recoils when you give a loving pat.

Or even a loving word.

They shun it, choosing instead to dwell on their own misery.

Their prickles scream stay away or else.

You don’t see them at first.

But after the initial reaction, they are completely obvious.

Well, they are obvious, plus you notice a trickle of blood down your arm from their stab.

Ouch!

What did you do?

Think back.

Anything there?

Maybe if you have a teenager, you looked at them wrong.

Or you limited their freedoms based on their choices.

Or insisted they eat veggies before dessert.

Oh the horror!

Guessing you saw prickles.

Maybe your spouse isn’t themselves, responding to your loving words with apathy.

Or they recoil in horror when you suggest a change.

Ouch!

Maybe your friends have a prickly text response.

Maybe your boss is unapproachable and all you feel are prickles.

How about the checker, assuming you still use a real person.

Through no fault of your own, they might be prickly because of their job or life circumstances.

What should you do when encountering prickles?

If you fight back, deliciously succumbing to fleshly desires, you’ll get pricked.

Stabbed.

Blood will trickle out.

Ouch!

Sometimes, their attitudes have nothing to do with you.

You are simply in the way.

Other times, it is directed specifically at you.

I’ll ask again.

What should you do?

What would Jesus do?

Love them.

Provide grace through strength.

Infuse His peace into the circumstances.

While you must stand firm with adolescent discipline, sprinkle in some grace.

Don’t allow yourself to be wounded with someone else’s pricks.

Those are meant to harm you.

But only if you let them.

Stand tall.

Wear your crown, and declare none of this moves me.

I will stay in His peace as I keep my eyes steadfast on Him.

The author and finisher of my peace.

Photos by NeONBRAND, buddika Gunathilaka, & frank mckenna on Unsplash

The Witness of God

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8

Are you living in the authority of one whom God has saved?

Are you remembering God’s promises, pointing your very existence to Him?

Are you seeking God’s face for the souls of your family?

Are you asking God to show you how you should serve Him today?

Our eternal salvation is for later.

When we’re standing at the judgement seat of God.

But Jesus saved us for today.

He saved us to be His witness.

He chose us to spread His good news.

He uses us to be His hands and feet to those we meet.

Yes, God died to save us from our sins.

For eternal life praising His name.

But He also saved us from ourselves for today.

Today and tomorrow.

For the world.

The world needs to see your salvation and what that looks like.

Reasons why they should follow you to God.

You are a witness of Almighty God.

Walk in His power.

Stand in His faithfulness.

And show the world just how amazing He is today.

Photos by Silvestri Matteo on Unsplash

Jesus Loves Me Still

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:12

Jesus loves me, this I know.

For the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to Him belong,

They are weak, but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me;

For the Bible tells me so.

All of us remember that song well, yes?

One of the first songs we learn as children.

It’s so profound as the basis for our literal existence here on earth.

Jesus actually loves us.

The Creater of the universe, who gave Himself for us on the cross, loves us.

Knows us.

Chooses us.

And I know this, because the Bible, God’s breathed living Word, tells me so.

There are so many places in the Bible that share God’s love for us.

Little ones to Him belong.

We belong to God!

We are God’s sons and daughters, inheriting His kingdom, living under His love and authority.

And we are so weak, but You, Jesus are our strength!

Jesus, thank You for Your love, that fills us up when we are empty.

Thank You for dying on the cross for our sins.

Thank You for setting us free from our worldly cares.

Thank You for being near to us each and every moment.

You are here with us whenever we call out to You.

And when we are silent, You are still there.

Your faithfulness astounds us.

Jesus loves me, this I know.

Do you?

Photos by Fadi Xd , Jon Tyson, &  Jez Timms on Unsplash

Our Smelly Stuff

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29

Ever wonder why God takes it?

Our smelly stuff or sin, whatever you want to call it?

I bring it up, because it’s not His.

None of our smelly sin is His.

Never was, never will be.

Why does He choose to take it?

He is holy.

Pure.

Undefiled.

Author of all things.

Literally the Most High.

And yet He wants us.

Not only us, but our stuff.

Our messy lives.

Our problems.

Our very messed up selves.

He wants our unloving attitudes towards children who selfishly taunt us.

He wants our broken hearts, which yearn for uncomplicated stories.

He wants our problems, dripping with unforgiveness.

He wants all of us.

God, who is pure and void of any sin, wants us.

Unbelievable.

If you remember the Old Testament, there was attonment for sin.

God had rules.

But with Jesus, the transaction was paid.

And with that, God continues our relationship with Him.

Because He loves us.

He created us for love.

For relationship with Him.

I find it incredible that God, who is completely pure and undefiled, wants a relationship with us.

We, who bring complicated and messy problems to Him, are wanted by God.

So, the question that remains is this:

Do you want Him?

Because He wants you.

All of you.

And all of your smelly stuff, too.

Photos by Marian Kroell & Hans Isaacson on Unsplash

Sovereign Over All

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways! Romans 11:33

God, You are sovereign.

Sovereign over all.

You are the Creator of all things.

The Author of all life.

All of our lives filter through Your hands.

Every little piece.

The happy times.

The gut-wrenching moments.

All of us filters through You.

Because You are sovereign over all things.

We wonder why You allow suffering.

Why you allow our lives to fall to pieces.

Why our prayers seem to fall on deaf ears.

Why our tears seem to make no difference.

But underneath it all, You are sovereign.

You never leave us, nor are we absent from Your thoughts.

Within the pit of despair, we must remember You.

If we don’t, we will fall prey to self-pity, overcoming our reason with faulty feelings.

Satan would like nothing better then to silence us.

To silence God when we find ourselves within the pit.

Do you want Satan to grasp even a tiny bit of triumph on your behalf?

You don’t, but he does when you fail to remember God within the pit.

When your mind fills with rejection or despair, Satan wins.

He wins because he causes you to become stuck.

Stuck because you are without the remembrance of God’s ultimate power.

His sovereignty.

Our world is broken and God has a redemption plan.

Jesus came to save us from ourselves.

To redeem our souls for eternity.

But as we remain here on earth, we must remember Him.

We must shine our light for God as He redeems our lives while here on earth.

It’s so hard when in the pit, to stop and remember Him.

But that’s what makes us different from the world.

What sets us apart.

When the world breaks us, as it will in degrees to us all, we will be different.

We will, with God’s help, shine as a light for Him, bringing others to Himself.

Your God loves you.

He craves you.

He’s never going to leave you.

Bring all of it to His feet.

Allow Him to scoop you up into His arms.

He will soothe every hurt.

Wipe every tear.

And walk along side you down the path He has for you.

Because He is sovereign over all.

He is here.

He loves you and He’s got you.

Shine brightly through your broken life to others.

Show the world the love of God.

Your choice to choose God when faced with the brokenness of this world.

And your witness will transform the world.

Photos by Josh Boot , Dave Hoefler,  Sandra Seitamaa, & Kawin Harasai on Unsplash

Your Keeper

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. (verse 5-6)

Webster defines “keeper” as one who keeps, such as a protector.

Protection from harm, yet also one who helps things to keep growing.

God protects us, keeping us safely shaded and secure.

Because God protects us, He will keep us from harm.

Neither the day or night will harm us.

The world may hurt, but within God’s protection, we can stay in His peace.

The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. (verse 7)

God is our barrier between good and evil.

When we purpose to stay under His protection, we are covered by Himself.

Evil cannot survive in the presence of God.

And when you choose to become a child of the Most High, evil flees.

Yes, it can tempt us back, and rest assured it will constantly try.

Satan, the father of lies, will tempt you with evil thoughts, feelings, desires, and lies.

Constantly, I guarantee you.

But when you lift up your eyes to God, asking Him to fill you with Himself, evil cannot stay.

Evil can only stay when you provide permission.

And when you give evil permission, you remove yourself from God’s promises.

From God’s protection.

When you choose God, verse 7 reminds us God will keep us from all evil.

But only if you choose Him.

The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. (verse 8)

When you choose God, He covers our activities with Himself.

Your going and your coming.

He is there through it all.

If you choose Him.

There really is no choice, is there.

Photos by Kent Pilcher on Unsplash

Secure Feet

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:3-4

Remember the beginning?

The psalm starts by intentionally looking to God for help, acknowledging that our help comes from God, the Creator of all things.

And as we recognize our weakness, we know God will help us.

Why?

Because He made all things.

Even us.

Verse 3 goes on to describe His help.

God’s protection is secure.

Within Him, even your foot will stay still.

You will not fall down with God’s help.

When you ask Him to work through you, His purposes are fulfilled through you.

He will keep you within Him.

Safe.

Solid.

Secure.

But it gets better.

God does not sleep.

He’s always awake, helping us, protecting us, keeping us secure.

There will never be a time when God is not willing to help you.

Never a time when He won’t be with you.

The Lord keeps us.

Is there anything special you keep safe and secure?

That’s how God feels about us.

He keeps us safe within Him.

We may face unimaginable trials in this life, but we can rest assured God is always with us, keeping us with Him.

In the dead of night, God is there for you.

In the pit of despair, He’s there, too.

Whether on the first day of school or the last,

When new life arrives or goes,

When relationships flourish or suffer,

When wearing masks or not,

God is always present, even wanting to help you.

Reach out to Him.

Empty yourself of you, asking God to help you with absolutely everything.

We can do nothing without Him.

But with Him, we can do anything He asks of us.

God, who never sleeps, keeps us close.

And with Him helping you, your feet will stay securely planted just where He wants them.

Photos by Michał Parzuchowski, Brina Blum, & Bruno Nascimento on Unsplash

Our Highest Help

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

I will lift up mine eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2

Need help?

I know, we all do with anything and everything.

This life presents challenges which come and go, both internally and externally.

We need help with our jobs, family relationships, and extra commitments we join.

We need help with our minds to focus on what God wants us to do.

We need help to purpose our hearts, aligning them to God’s.

We need help to follow through with God’s purposes for our temporary lives.

We need help to filter through all of the world’s noise, attempting to constantly distract us.

We sometimes even need help to simply place one foot in front of the other.

The psalmist begins by deliberately choosing to lift his eyes to the hills.

Deciding to ask for God’s help is first, realizing we cannot perform our best apart from God.

We remind ourselves we cannot do things on our own.

We must ask for help.

We then declare our help comes from God.

Finally, we declare God’s power to help as we affirm Him Creator of all things.

Who better then the Creator of all things to help us with our small needs?

God created us.

God created our desires.

And He created us to need Him.

Only with a relationship with God will you become fulfilled in this life.

When the many needs press you for a solution, remember to raise your eyes to heaven.

God is always ready and willing to help you.

All you have to do is ask.

Ask Him to fill you up with Himself.

Then keep your peace, knowing the Creator of heaven and earth will give you everything you need.

Lift your eyes to God, asking Him to work through you.

And He will, every single time.

Photos by Hans Isaacson on Unsplash

Hurled Upon

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. He rescued me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. 2 Samuel 22:17-18

Insults, heard or implied.

Words that bring death.

When sitting near these toxic fumes, there’s not much we can do.

Especially when directed towards us.

They can explode out of nowhere.

Suddenly covering you with filth.

Covering you with filth you believe.

Covering you with lies you begin to agree with.

All from insults hurled towards you.

Like an arrow piercing your soul, words can carry death.

While they can carry death, the arrows don’t have to deliver death to you.

It’s your choice to accept the lies or not.

Your choice to keep the painful arrow stuck where it hit.

What is your other choice?

To yank it out, immediately forgiving the sender.

Impossible in your own strength.

Literally.

But that’s where God comes in for you.

When you ask God to cover you with His feathers, He will protect you.

Literally, He will.

Emotionally, and spiritually, He will cover you.

Protected by God, arrows will still come.

They will be hurled at you with frightening speed.

But – by choosing to ask God to keep you whole, you won’t absorb the arrow’s poison.

Sure, it will try to pierce your soul, spreading it’s toxic substance.

And until you are trained to immediately refuse with God’s help, it could hurt.

Even for awhile.

But every time you yank out the arrow, God’s peace will dispel the poison.

Even heal your wound.

But you must ask Him every single time.

And as you retrain your reactions to insults, God’s feathers will become stronger.

So strong, the arrows will fall away as they bump you.

Who are you going to believe?

An insulting arrow filled with someone’s jealousy, selfishness, or evil intention all filled with lies?

Or who God says that you are to Him?

Choose to remember Whose you are.

Choose to remember Who your Father is.

The One who desires to protect you from everything evil.

Humble yourself, and ask Him to protect you.

Protect your mind, body, soul, and spirit from anything not from Him.

Apart from God, we can do nothing, especially avoiding arrows filled with poison.

Psalm 121:7-8 reminds us that God will keep us from all evil.

He will even keep our lives.

Safe.

Secure.

Even more – He will keep our going out AND our coming back now and forever.

There’s nothing more we could possibly need.

Hurl away, people.

We’re ready.

Photos by Laura Crowe. Lindsey Duce, Gioele Fazzeri, & Denise Johnson on Unsplash

Nothing New Under the Sun

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9

When Solomon declares this, I find encouragement.

My problems are not new.

My multitude of traumatic events are not new.

Masks will come and go.

Death and life will arrive and cease.

Full of themselves teenagers will grow and leave.

The school year will begin and end.

The burnt dinner smell will even leave.

Thankfully.

It’s what we do in the middle that counts.

In the middle of the storm.

In the midst of heartache.

How do you cope?

What fills you back up?

The world offers many options, which all pale in comparison to Jesus.

Jesus fills you with His peace while waiting for the storm to end.

Jesus wipes away your tears as you cry again for a child.

And He protects you when you are battling a mighty storm.

Because Jesus is stronger.

Mighter.

He is Almighty God.

Allow Him to help you.

Allow Him to guide you.

And allow Him to show you your next step forward.

Because to Jesus, there is absolutely nothing new under the sun.

Photos by Bonnie Kittle,  Aaron Burden, & Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash

Re-Focus

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And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

When all the noise is stripped away, what is your focus?

In the dark of night, what grips your soul?

Worry?

Dread?

Fear?

Or Jesus?

In this world, we will have trials.

But Jesus.

In this world, we will struggle.

But Jesus.

In this world, pain will come and go.

But Jesus.

Jesus has overcome the world and everything in it.

All our trials, struggles, and pain are piled at the foot of the cross.

What has removed your focus from Jesus?

Family?

Job?

Our country?

Jesus knows the beginning from the end.

What better to focus on then the author of all life?

Look at your mountain.

Now look again through Jesus.

Looks manageable now, doesn’t it?

Trials are real, but Jesus is bigger.

Struggles are exhausting, but Jesus is bigger.

Pain can be excruciating, but Jesus is bigger.

But Jesus.

Jesus is over, under, and beside all things.

All of the trials, struggles, and pain.

Refocus on Jesus, purposing only to trust Him with everything.

Your past, present and future.

Photos by Brady Stoeltzing, Michail Dementiev, Matteo Grando,  Kyle Johnson, & Tim Bogdanov on Unsplash

Rest in God

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Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Psalm 62:1

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Summers are for rest.

At least for teachers.

We plan summer projects and accomplish home things, but we are in rest mode.

We become like old farmers, driving the truck on a country road.

Not in a hurry.

Or like old Southerners, shooting the breeze on the porch of an old store, chatting with anyone and everyone.

Why?

Because we can.

Do you have periods of rest?

Days or seasons when you can even forget what day it is?

Yes, it’s important to accomplish things when you have more time to spare.

But don’t forget to simply be.

Allow your mind to rest as well.

Disconnect from social media, emails, and the news.

Close the door to all the noise.

And rest.

Unfortunately, my summer has ended.

The rush has returned.

But even so, take time to rest.

Fill yourself up with God and His peace.

And take the time to rest.

Photo by Blake Meyer on Unsplash

Opinions That Matter

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For He strengthens the bars of your gates; He blesses your children within you. He makes peace in your borders. Psalm 147:13-14

There is no way every one will like you.

All of the time.

People won’t always agree with you.

They won’t always like you.

I happen to abhor when people dislike me.

Personality flaw, I know.

Why do we tend to care what others think of us?

Why do we desperately crave their approval?

Because we were created for love.

God’s love.

And because we live in a broken world, God is separated from us.

Newsflash: we no longer abide with God in the Garden of Eden.

Shocking, I know.

But that’s how we were created.

God created us for relationship with Him, fully loved and valued by HIm.

Yes, God created us to make our own choices, but He also wanted friendship with us.

Friendship with us!

Living in our broken world, it’s so easy to forget the reason for our existence.

As Christians, we must choose to savor God’s opinion of us over the fleeting opinions of others.

And God loves you.

Wholly.

Completely.

Securely.

There’s not anything you can do to earn God’s endless love for you.

Nothing you can do to avoid it, either.

It’s constantly around you.

Not judging you, just complete acceptance.

Doesn’t God’s opinion of you sound a whole lot better then others?

Ask God to revel Himself to you in a new way.

Ask Him to show you how much you mean to Him.

Place your trust in Him, while removing your trust in others.

Remember His faithfulness to you.

Stand tall, straighten your crown, and believe God absolutely cherishes you.

And that’s all that matters.

Photos by Annie Spratt & Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Other’s Opinions

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“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He.” Isaiah 43:10

Why do we allow others to steal from us?

We allow others to step into our minds, stealing one of the most valuable items we own.

Our peace.

Which affects our security.

And our sense of being valued.

Securely loved.

Just for being us.

When we allow someone to take away our peace, we are choosing to believe their small opinion of us instead of God’s.

I’m not in any way referring to ill behavior on our part, justifying their words.

Normal, everyday annoyances.

Spouse not thinking of you first.

Or at all while they get coffee for themselves.

Or choose the agenda not asking for your input.

Children, who fly into anger at the drop of a hat, blaming you for their problems.

Neighbors who voice displeasure over your landscaping choice.

Bosses who praise the next person, passing over you most times.

Drivers who have zero consideration for your pressing need to merge.

Restaurants with distasteful food you still must pay for.

Everyday things.

Why do we allow little things to bore into our very souls, determining our moods?

We take those opinions, which are dependent upon the other person’s sour moods, as truth.

We accept them as truth over God’s.

Over what you know to be the absolute truth.

That you are loved.

Secure.

Precious in the sight of God.

Never alone.

Always covered.

Safe.

The next time you are tempted to agree with someone’s poor mood towards you, stop.

Brush it off.

And declare “none of this moves me“.

Perfect.

Photos by Timothy Eberly,  Gabriel Jimenez, & Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Crashing Down

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I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 116:9

When the world comes crashing down, just give me Jesus.

When loved ones fall away from you, just give me Jesus.

When family fails to value you, just give me Jesus.

When you feel utterly alone, just give me Jesus.

When you are crying and no one hears, Jesus does.

He hears you and His heart breaks for you.

Jesus is everything.

He fills in the empty spaces others should fill.

He sits with you when others neglect to listen.

He understands your pain when no one seems to care.

He holds your hand when your pain is unbearable.

When no one else sees it, He does.

He sees you and He cares.

Jesus is the only one with whom we can fully rely.

He will never disappoint.

Never fail you.

Never leave you all by yourself.

When the world falls away, just give me Jesus.

Photos by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Fret Not Your Pretty Head

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Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. Psalm 37:8

Jesus never fretted.

He knew He was completely loved by His father.

Accepted.

Cherished.

Why do we fret?

Yes, because we hold onto things, not giving them to Jesus.

But why do we hold onto things?

Is it because we do not believe God truly will take care of us?

Or that He loves us unconditionally?

Or that we are His beloved?

Jesus was fully human, so his temptation to fret and worry was real.

Like it is for us.

But He knew His father would always be there for Him.

He knew.

Suffering on the cross was the only time Jesus was separate from His Father’s presence.

So, that leads me back to us.

Sinful humans who stubbornly hold onto life’s woes when we know it drags us down.

We must continually make a conscience choice to obey.

To obey God when He says to fret not.

Command your mind to obey.

Tell your flesh to back off.

Purpose your mind on the promises of God.

Test them.

Remember His faithfulness.

And every time your worry rises up again, picture it as an ugly weed.

And yank that thing out.

Photos by Colter Olmstead, Shabnam Bakhshaliyeva, & Emily Wade on Unsplash