God – Page 8 – Amy Linnea

Devil’s Schemes

Published on September 5, 2020June 13, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

News flash.

Devil doesn’t care about you if you’re lukewarm.

He doesn’t spend his time on you if you’re not walking with God.

He figures he has you.

Right where he wants you.

But if you have life that happens….

If you have big things occur, you must matter.

Pay attention, because the devil sure is.

He knows God has a special plan for your life.

Wants at all costs to stop it.

To make you feel like God doesn’t care when your family falls apart.

To feel like God has turned His back when things don’t go your way.

The devil’s goal is to get you to stop trusting God.

To stop trusting God has your best in mind.

That God still even cares about you.

Remember that.

He wants to keep you busy, unaware of the evil influencing your children.

He wants to keep you blind to the repairs needed in your marriage.

He wants to keep you apathetic to the holes in the relationships that matter.

He wants you to think there’s nothing you could do to help anything.

That God can’t or won’t help or maybe isn’t even there.

He wants to keep you absolutely pathetic.

Because then you’re weak.

Useless.

Lukewarm.

The next time you are tempted to sink back into old habits, remember that’s where the devil wants you.

Instead, tell him no way.

Don’t give him the pleasure.

Give the satisfaction instead to God, who has promised to never leave you.

Photos by Markus Winkler, Bermix Studio , and Ben White on Unsplash

An Example or Stumbling Block?

Published on August 29, 2020June 13, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2

Let yourself be an example instead of a stumble.

An example of Christ’s love instead of a stumble into sin.

Man, that’s hard.

Not always, but sometimes.

Actually, usually it is, am I right?

Especially when our flesh cries out for justice.

Or judgement.

Or pride.

Every time we succeed as an God’s example, we extend life to others.

And every time we succeed as a stumbling block to sin, we bring death to those same people.

So how do we become an example instead of a stumbling block?

Ask God.

All we can do is ask Him to help us.

When we are weak, He is strong.

God’s greatest examples are people who have no strength of their own to complete the tasks God had for them.

But that’s when God’s power shines forth the brightest.

Knowing we cannot without God is the first step.

Then choosing to let Him work through us is the next.

Let Him choose your words.

Let Him choose your actions.

And let His very nature flow through yours.

And when you do that, God will bless others.

Literally through you.

Quite an honor when you think about it.

Be stamped with God’s nature, and His blessing will come through you all the time. Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest reading May 16

Photos by Rachel and Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Gifts

Published on August 22, 2020July 9, 2020 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Rest in the knowledge that He is enough.

That He, our Lord, holds all things in His hands.

Are you resting?

Or are you resisting?

Matthew 7:11 reminds us “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

Are you trusting God to give you those good gifts?

Might not be what you asked for, but it will be a good gift nonetheless.

Socks for Christmas are not a favorite, but your feet will be thankful next winter.

A new kitchen appliance is not as sparkly as jewelry, but making dinner from now on will be easier, so frankly, that gift means time.

Taking something away from a child is hardly met with enthusiasm, but it’s a gift.

As parents, you give the gift of self-control and thinking of others, hoping to kick pride to the curb.

Mostly.

We try.

We try to give these good gifts to our children.

Guessing they don’t think of them as gifts.

When God gives you the gift of unemployment, are you thankful?

Thankful for the fresh start?

When God gives you the gift of a child who operates completely different from you, are you thankful?

Thankful to see things from a whole new perspective?

When God allows challenges in your life, it’s for a reason.

To shape you further into His image.

We’re just fine, Lord, thanks anyway!

Good gifts from God belong in His will.

Rest in the knowledge that He is in control.

Allow all of His gifts to mold you into who He wants you to become.

Good can mean lots of things.

To our Lord, it means for your very best.

Photos by Toa Heftiba, Christopher Jolly, Cody Black , and Kira auf der Heide on Unsplash

Faith in the Valley

Published on August 8, 2020June 13, 2023 by amylinnea2 Comments

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

How do you have faith when God allows things you wish He wouldn’t?

What then?

God is sovereign over all.

Yes, our world is broken.

But nothing happens in this life without first filtering through God’s hands.

God’s hands hold our future before it is ever brought to us.

His sovereign knowledge over all things perfectly decides things He allows and does not allow.

There’s comfort in that.

Comfort in knowing all things have first been held in His hands.

Isaiah 55: 8-9 reminds us “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Because God knows the beginning from the end, His ways and thoughts include the big picture.

Way more than little ole us.

He thinks beyond our momentary crisis.

He wants to shape our long term character.

His sight is beyond our day’s irritation or foul mood.

His purposes are to mold us into the person He sees us as.

The way He already sees us.

God has great plans for us.

But will we cooperate?

All comes back to trust.

What if God wants to use your trials to bless others?

To quicken the healing of their wounds?

In order to do that you must walk through, successfully to the other side of the valley.

But I don’t want the valley.

I didn’t ask for the valley.

My friend’s valley’s never look as deep as mine.

It’s not fair.

I know.

More importantly, God knows.

He sees it all.

Remember, He knows the beginning from the end.

And that includes yours.

He saw you years before you were born and He knows when you’ll join Him in heaven.

And everything in between.

He also sees how you can be.

But only with His help.

He sees you whole.

Happy.

Trusting Him with all things like a small child.

Place your trust back into His capable hands.

Give your worries and fears back to Him.

And trust Him with your future.

After all, He’s already there.

Photos by Rich Martello, David Marcu, niko photos, and Hugo Fergusson on Unsplash

Devouring Your Family

Published on August 1, 2020June 13, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Are you watching?

Or are you blind?

The devil is constantly looking for a way in.

A way into your home, your children, yourself.

He can’t stop the good gifts God provides; however, he can mess things up.

He can cause conflict where there shouldn’t be any.

He can wilt your relationships, causing them to wither away.

He can tempt your children, sucking them into the world instead.

He can cause you to focus on the wrong things.

To focus on the ugly, forgetting the beautiful.

I Peter 5:8 reminds us to “be sober minded; be watchful.”

Why?

Because “your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Who will be devoured?

Will it be you?

Your kids?

The devil might have lost because he knows you’re saved, heading to heaven.

However…..

Through YOUR choices, he can make you miserable here on earth.

He can negate your witness.

He can crush your spirits.

He can cause you to turn inward, focusing on all the wrong things.

Take back your ground.

Put the enemy on notice and declare once again your home is God’s.

Your children are God’s.

Your very self is also His.

Give the devil a piece of your mind and rise up.

He’s no less real then an existing lion sneaking up on your children, literally trying to devour them.

It’s really no different.

At all.

Take your stand.

And fight.

Photos by Madhavan Malolan, Jordan Heinrichs, and Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Trapped Animal

Published on July 25, 2020June 13, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. Proverbs 25:26

Ever feel backed into a corner?

Kinda like a trapped animal?

How would you react?

Defensively?

I would.

The flesh wants to be protected.

While maturity is always the goal, sometimes the flesh wins.

Differing points of view can complicate matters.

But in the end, what really matters?

Your response.

Your continued response.

When you feel misunderstood, what should you do?

Own your own actions.

Apologize when you give into your flesh.

But then you have a choice.

Especially if you’re alone in the conversation.

Still not feeling heard.

Do you hold on, digging your heals into the ground?

Or do you move on, beginning anew?

I choose life.

I choose beginning anew.

Even if my active mind can justify feelings, connecting the dots.

I choose to move on.

While that might sound like an odd choice, I ask myself this question:

What would God want me to do?

What does God want me to do?

Would He want me to keep carrying burdens alone?

Nope.

He wants it all, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Picture that other person as Jesus.

Treat them as you would Him.

Because all humans deserve nothing less.

We don’t know what goes on in everyone’s minds.

As my students read To Kill a Mockingbird, I’m reminded to “walk around in other people’s shoes.”

We must look at things from their view.

Especially important when one doesn’t see eye to eye, or doesn’t feel heard.

Talk to God, asking Him to fill you with His compassion.

His love.

His understanding.

And move on.

Paste that smile on your face and stand tall.

Once your heart is clean, there’s nothing to worry about.

Because Jesus is all that matters.

Photos by Holger Link, Richard Brutyo, Ben Hershey, sydney Rae, & Jonathan Fink on Unsplash

Depending Upon Him

Published on July 18, 2020June 13, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. Psalm 62:1-2

Don’t hesitate.

Don’t stop and think.

Don’t be afraid to trust in God completely.

Even when you wait in silence.

God is still working.

Your peace is still secure.

His protection is still near, surrounding you like a fortress.

Depend upon Him.

Depend upon Him for strength to get through the day.

Depend upon Him for love to give to others.

Depend upon Him for peace to calm the storm.

Depend upon Him.

God says you will NOT be shaken from His protection.

You will NOT be thrown out from His presence when you are His.

When you choose to dwell with Him.

When He is your salvation.

When you choose to stand in God’s salvation, His protection and peace will steady the shaking, no matter how big or small.

Photos by Eric Muhr and Ben White on Unsplash

America

Published on July 4, 2020July 4, 2020 by amylinneaLeave a comment

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior. 1 Timothy 2:1-3

How often do you pray for our country?

For our leaders?

The ones you like and don’t like?

You know we “wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Eph 6:12)

God urges us to pray for our leaders whom He has placed in power over us.

He reminds us how to live a peaceful and dignified life.

Through praying for our leaders and country.

Today is our country’s birthday.

Sweet land of liberty.

She’s not perfect, but nothing is.

Our framework demands respect for the process of change.

Our history is full of God’s grace (Washington’s Valley Forge), His mercy (Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation), and His strength (WW2 landings).

Thousands of more examples.

And yes, there are examples of our stupidity.

Slavery, abortion, discrimination, government corruption.

History needs to remain as it is.

The good, bad, and the ugly.

Learning from our mistakes, remembering God’s grace, and honoring our fallen heroes remains our duty for future generations.

Keeping all of our history doesn’t mean you agree with every decision.

With every event.

With every leader.

Today, our country is 244 years old.

May we remember that all men are created equal.

That they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights,

That among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Long may our land be bright
With freedom’s holy light;
Protect us by thy might, great God, our King.

And God, please continue to shed Your grace on Thee.

Photos by specphotops, May, Stephanie McCabe, Justin Casey, Kevin Morris, & Samuel Branch on Unsplash

Walking With God

Published on June 27, 2020June 13, 2023 by amylinnea4 Comments

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

Do we have to know?

Do we have to know everything about our future?

How this decision will affect that one later on?

No, we do not.

In fact, we can not.

It’s impossible.

We can plan, but ultimately God is in control.

He is the author and finisher of all life.

When we daily place our trust into His capable hands, He guides us through all of life’s murky waters and the crystal clear ones, too.

I liken life to doors when I think about life’s decisions, big or small.

Sometimes God opens doors.

He opens them wide.

Step through with confidence.

Knowing God opens a door for you should remind you how much He thinks of you.

He knows your heart and as long as you are trusting Him with every breath, rest in the confidence of His goodness and mercy.

Even if the door is open just a crack, knowing He wants you to participate, open the door just a little bit more.

Tell fear to take a hike and stand confidently with God.

But sometimes He slams them in our face.

You might be walking down a certain path, but all the doors are closed.

You see an open door, run to it, but it’s slammed shut before you get there.

Ask God why.

Maybe He’s teaching you patience.

Or maybe He’s telling you no.

So, what should you do when you think you know what God wants you to do, but you’re not totally sure as you have let fear or anxiety in for a visit?

Walk confidently towards the door.

Push on it, and see if it opens.

If it does, take the hand of God and walk through.

Whatever is on the other side will be ok, as long as you are walking with God.

Walking with God means you have given yourself over to His purposes, trusting Him for every breath, every decision big or small.

Your heart is His.

Well, when you put it like that, let’s go!

Where do you want to take me, Lord?

You, Lord, are all I have, and You give me all I need; my future is in Your hands. How wonderful are Your gifts to me; how good they are!

I praise the Lord, because He guides me, and in the night my conscience warns me. I am always aware of the Lord’s presence; He is near, and nothing can shake me.

And so I am thankful and glad, and I feel completely secure, because You protect me from the power of death. I have served you faithfully, and You will not abandon me to the world of the dead.

You will show me the path that leads to life; Your presence fills me with joy
and brings me pleasure forever. Psalm 16:5-11

Photos by Jacob Culp, Denny Müller, Ibrahim Rifath, & Shiraz Muhamed on Unsplash

Freedom or Slavery

Published on June 20, 2020June 13, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

God has set you free.

Free.

Not yoked.

He has set you free for freedom.

He has saved you with the intent of freedom.

Freedom from what?

Sin.

The penalty of sin, which is death.

Literally.

What?

When we trust Jesus as our Savior, He literally saves us from eternal death.

It’s the most wonderful thing, but I’m not telling you anything new.

Most of us have known this since we were young.

But how else does He set us free?

He can set us free from fear.

Free from jealously.

Free from unloving.

Free from guilt.

The freedom Christ offers extends beyond salvation to the here and now.

His invitation extends to this life.

Paul reminds us to stand firm, choosing life.

Choosing God’s freedom.

To not give into our old ways, by listening to lies or succumbing to the flesh, which then becomes slavery.

When one isn’t free, they are a slave.

What ideas, actions, or thoughts still enslave you?

We must be renewed by God every day, but that takes a choice.

Your choice.

Your choice to walk in God’s freedom, or to yoke yourself back with the old ways.

Yoking to the old equals slavery.

Walking with God and living with His power equals freedom.

Choose to walk in the freedom of God.

Keep doing it, standing firm with the help of Almighty God.

And every time you do so, your slavery ties to sin will be break, making this life a whole lot more peaceful.

Keep choosing God’s reactions and it will become more of a habit as you throw off the yoke of slavery to sin.

Experience the freedom of God.

Choose it.

And with His power, withstand the submission to your familiar yoke of slavery.

Photos by Noah Silliman, Robert Collins, Paul Green, & niu niu on Unsplash

Wisdom

Published on June 13, 2020June 13, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of His saints. Proverbs 2:6-8

Isn’t it amazing the Lord simply gives wisdom to us?

From His mouth comes forth knowledge AND understanding?

God actually stores up sound wisdom for us?

You might argue we’re not exactly upright people.

Yes, but no one is perfect, except God.

The upright are those who seek God for their very lives.

I guess the question remains, do we want God’s wisdom?

I suppose if you say No, then I’d say why the heck not?

Walking with God is not stifling.

Doesn’t cramp my style in the very least.

It’s freedom.

Let’s continue.

Verse 7 shows us how God’s wisdom is an actual barrier to evil.

His wisdom protects us from poor choices, which, one could argue, could easily become evil.

Think about the recent looting.

Poor choices which have become evil.

Destruction is evil and one has the choice to participate.

Making it relevant to more, putting yourself above your spouse is a poor choice.

Do that again and again and the relationship will never be the same unless you return to God’s wisdom, asking forgiveness of the one you love.

How many hundreds of choices do you make on a daily basis?

Too many to count.

So many opportunities to walk under God’s protection using His wisdom.

And so many chances to step out from His umbrella, choosing instead to follow the flesh.

Stand with me under the shelter of Almighty God.

Proverbs 2:8 closes with reminding us how God guards and watches over the ways of His saints.

Doesn’t mean we won’t have trials or pain.

But standing under God’s umbrella, His wisdom will guide us, inviting the very peace of God.

Photos by Marionel Luciano, Wilhelm Gunkel, Joyce McCown, and Timothy Eberly on Unsplash

Knock, Knock

Published on May 30, 2020June 13, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

“In the day of my trouble I shall call upon You, for You will answer me. Psalm 86:7

When darkness knocks at your door, why do you open it?

Why answer at all?

Curious?

You’re asking for trouble.

You know that.

Ignore it.

Ignore the persisting knock of darkness.

Ignore the whispers of doubt.

Ignore the feelings of condemnation.

Unloved.

Unwanted.

Mediate on God’s breathed words of life.

Focus on the Bible and the truth of God’s words.

Focus on Him and for heaven’s sake, don’t open the door to darkness again.

Or better yet, have God answer it.

Photos by Siora Photography, Mitchell Luo, & Jan Tinneberg on Unsplash

Noticed

Published on May 23, 2020June 11, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. 2 Chronicles 16:9

We all want to be noticed.

Beg for it, really.

Comes down to love.

Feeling loved.

Valued.

Noticed.

How do you notice people?

How do you value them?

Today, I took the time to notice my friend.

She needed extra love.

Attention.

Value.

And you know what?

I came away feeling valued, too.

Why?

Because God had used me.

He had deemed me available to be His hands and feet.

Completely an honor when you think about it.

Are you available to God?

Can He use you?

How do you value your loved ones?

How do you affirm your spouse?

Who do you need to notice?

When you are available, the life of Almighty God will pour through your hands into the ones you notice.

They and you will feel valued.

Because you are.

Photos by Rodion Kutsaev, Julian Berengar Sölter, & Kristaps Ungurs on Unsplash

Power of Your Witness

Published on May 16, 2020June 11, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what He has done for my soul. Psalm 66:16

Are you so sold out for the cause of Christ that you minimize yourself?

You subtract your needs before others?

Are you so concerned for the love of God to flow through you that you put others before yourself?

Consistently?

Or are you still focused on number one?

Yourself?

And when it’s convenient, you put others before yourself?

This life is but a blip.

A drop in all of eternity.

Yes, God created us to live on this earth.

Yes, God created pleasure.

But is that your focus?

Is meeting your needs of comfort number one to you?

God’s greatest need from us is not preaching.

Dare I say most humans in at least America have heard it time and time again.

It’s serving.

It’s pouring out God’s love and mercy on our neighbors.

It’s literally being the hands and feet of Jesus.

It’s our witness.

When others see how different we are because of God,

When others see how much we care about them first,

When are a witness of the living God,

Hearts become open to God changing them.

So I must ask you this:

How are you helping people’s hearts to open?

Or instead, are you helping hearts to stay closed?

Photos by Hans Veth & Becca Tapert on Unsplash

Sin is Sin

Published on May 2, 2020June 11, 2023 by amylinnea2 Comments

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. James 1:14-15

When you think about what Jesus died for…

All that He died for, what do you think about?

Big bad sins?

Like cold blood murder?

Armed robbery?

Abortion?

Drunkenness?

Or smaller sins?

Like selfishness?

Snide remarks?

Envy or jealously?

Or, gulp, pride?

The Bible says a sin is a sin.

Meaning, all sins are equal before God as they are all not from Him.

In fact, sin is the opposite of His holiness.

Sometimes we think we don’t need God as much as that guy over there.

The guy who committed the bigger sin.

Once we think that, our pride sins and once again, we need the forgiveness of God.

When Jesus died for our sins, OUR sins, He died for all of them.

Big or small.

One or many.

Daily or even more often.

Jesus died for our choices.

He died for us.

Photos by Michel Paz, Aaron Burden, & Ben White on Unsplash

Attracted to Godliness

Published on April 25, 2020June 11, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

…make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8

Are you?

Attracted to godliness?

Or are you enamored by the things of this world?

Enthralled by power, status, money, and things?

Do you desire goodness or do you selfishly want whatever toots your horn?

Is your first thought the service of others or do you want others to serve you?

Are your needs first or are the needs of others above yours?

When you are all by yourself, would God himself be at home by your side or would you be covered in embarrassment at your actions, thoughts, or attitudes?

Deep down, do you cherish God’s opinion, or do you want to feed the hunger of your flesh?

Are you attracted to godliness?

Or are you living for yourself?

Think a moment.

And repent, knowing it’s impossible to be completely attracted to godliness aside from the grace and strength of God Himself.

Photos by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Hiding

Published on April 18, 2020June 11, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

“Am I a God at hand,” declares the Lord, “and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him?” declares the Lord. “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 23:23-24

What are you hiding?

A secret?

What is your deepest fear?

What are you hiding behind?

Job status?

A relationship?

Sin?

Do you subscribe to the notion that no one would like you if they really knew the whole you?

These all boil down to fear, due to misplaced trust.

Trusting in yourself before God.

When you hide in your fears, you place yourself in charge.

You are telling God you don’t trust Him.

Come out.

Come out from behind the couch and place your hand into God’s.

Tell Him your fears.

Tell Him your anxieties.

Ask Him to replace them with the truth.

His truth.

He’ll do it.

He’ll cover you with His feathers, encapsulating your very self.

Instead of hiding from God, hide within Him.

Use His protection against fear.

Use His protection against anxiety.

Use His truth to replace the lies you’ve believed your whole life.

After all, He already knows everything.

And He’s still right beside you. Always.

Photos by Caleb Woods & Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Alone

Published on April 4, 2020June 11, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand. Psalm 73:23

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I’ve come to realize something.

We are all alone.

Yes, we might have a spouse or children if we’re adults.

We have parents, friends, maybe even a best friend.

But ultimately, we are alone.

We stand all by ourselves.

Our spouse might have other loyalties.

Our children grow up and move away.

Our friends choose others with whom to spend their time.

Our parents love us but have their own lives.

Ultimately we are alone.

Someday, we will stand alone before God.

Giving account for our life.

On that day, Jesus will step in for us.

He will show payment for our sins.

He will if we trust in Him.

If we trust in Him for our very salvation.

He will step in for us on judgement day, but He has already stepped into your life.

He has already joined you here in this life.

Here.

So you’re not alone.

Psalm 73:23-26 says Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand.

Jesus is always with us.

He holds us by our right hands.

Psalm 23:4 reminds us Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Walking through dark times, or even daily life, we do not fear.

We do not feel lonely.

Why?

Because God, Jesus, is with us.

With us.

While you feel alone, you are not.

You might feel lonely, but you are not.

Feelings are not accurate.

Facts are.

And the facts are this: God is always with you; you are never alone.

Remind yourself that God, who created ALL things, is with you.

He cares.

He knows.

He loves you.

You.

And that, my friend, is why you are never truly alone.

Photos by Thomas Q, Gabriel Garcia Marengo, Rodion Kutsaev, & Ben White on Unsplash

God’s Provision

Published on March 28, 2020June 11, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Matthew 6:26-27

Thought I’d remind us of God’s provision today.

His provision of earthly needs like TP, food, water.

His provision of spiritual needs like forgiveness and grace.

And His ultimate authority over the devil.

And also His provision of emotional needs like comfort and peace.

God’s storehouses are always filled to overflowing.

His power knows no bounds.

Even for our physical needs?

Yep.

Remember the Isrealites?

He fed them in the desert.

Every day.

He knows your every need. Even your physical ones.

Funny story: yes, I’m still stuck on finding toilet paper.

Where is it all, I still beg to know?

Recently, my son, who lives on his own, was over for lunch.

Said he was down to his last roll of TP.

Discovered my mother was rationing as well.

My daughter calls, says a pallet of TP has literally just been unwrapped on the floor of the store.

Immediately, we jump into the car and run into the store, locating our mystified treasure.

Sure enough, there’s some.

Not a ton, maybe 50 packages.

My son, husband and I each grab one.

Score!

Literally feel as if we have won the lottery.

We deliver one to my folks, not getting too close, of course.

They are truly grateful.

And so is my son.

Have I seen any more TP in the stores since then?

Nope.

Still don’t know where it all has gone.

But when my son and parents needed it, God delivered.

Shouldn’t be surprising.

God sees you.

He sees your every need.

And He’s got it.

He’s more than enough to cover you emotionally.

He’s more than enough to cover you spiritually.

And He’s more than enough to cover you physically.

Keep trusting Him for enough.

Because He is.

He is enough.

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (NIV)

Photos by Claudiu Hegedus, Markus Spiske, Will Bolding, & Guido Jansen on Unsplash

Definition of Fear

Published on March 21, 2020June 11, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. Psalm 56:3

Fear is the absence of peace.

Fear is behind the desire for mortal knowledge when the world offers none.

Fear is the belief that God is not enough.

That God is not here.

Fear showcases our deepest fears.

Fear brings us to our knees.

Fear paralyzes our next move, hijacks our thoughts.

Fear wraps us tightly into bondage.

Sounds horrid, yet we often choose fear, inviting it to stay.

If you are reading this today, you are living in the midst of our society’s fear.

The fear of the dreaded killer virus COVID-19.

Fear of the economy taking a nose dive, taking your 401k with it.

Fear of losing your job or income whether short or long term.

Fear of running into someone less than 6 feet away.

Fear of running out of food or, gasp, toilet paper.

In this life, God has given us choice.

We may choose to believe the truth or not.

We may choose to believe His very Word or not.

Psalm 56:3 says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.”

When I am wrapped up in fear, I choose to unwrap, and decided instead to wrap myself in Your peace.

In Your presence.

In You, the absence of fear.

Photos by Laurene Gicquel, Kelly Sikkema, Jon Tyson, & Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Ugliness

Published on March 7, 2020June 11, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24

We are so comfortable with our ugliness, aren’t we?

Our fleshly irritations.

Our selfish demands.

Our ‘higher than thou’ attitudes towards all else.

Our complaining when sacrificing.

Our responses when wronged.

Ugliness.

Does your ugliness repulse you?

When it rears it’s ugly head, do you embrace it?

Honestly, we usually do, don’t we.

We not only embrace it, but wear it proudly.

All boils down to flesh and sin.

Our flesh cries out selfishly.

But God wants us to respond differently.

It’s so hard, isn’t it?

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

Those words from Paul in Galatians 5 remind us to put away our flesh.

To literally kill those fleshly desires that are ugly.

Impossible apart from God.

Literally.

When we purposely put down our ugly flesh, God will fill us with His Spirit.

You remember His fruit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Isn’t it so much better to reflect kindness than malice?

Gentleness instead of anger?

Love instead of hate?

Peace instead of war?

Folks, we can either react with the fruit of God or the flesh of ourselves.

One is lovely, the other is ugly.

Stop the next time you face an irritation.

Ask God to react through you.

Each time you do that, your ugliness will melt away.

I know, it’s not as fun as feeding your flesh.

But wouldn’t you rather please God than your sinful self?

Photos by Cain, Korpa, Nohassi, Boer, & Gonzalez on Unsplash

Reflecting

Published on February 29, 2020June 11, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18

Reflecting.

We reflect what we honor.

We reflect what we love.

We reflect Whose we are.

Do you reflect God?

Or do you reflect things of the world?

Or yourself?

The Bible talks about us becoming so filled with God, that we reflect His glory.

When we continually seek His will,

When we consistently empty ourselves,

When we continuously purpose to be His alone,

Our mirror will reflect the glory of God more and more.

What does your mirror reflect?

If we’re honest, our mirrors mostly reflect ourselves.

Our wishes.

Our demands.

Our needs.

Keep your open conversation running with God.

Continually seek His wisdom and peace in every situation.

In every moment.

And slowly, your mirror, too, will begin to reflect the glory of God.

When your mirror reflects more of God than yourself, others take note, polishing their own mirrors for Him as well.

Photos by Alex Lopez, Noah Buscher, Inga Gezalian, & Kenzie Kraft on Unsplash

Expectations

Published on February 22, 2020June 11, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11

Why live with chips?

Not talking about the potato or tortilla kind.

Chips on your shoulders.

Offense.

Irritation.

Failed expectations of life or others.

Why carry those around?

Shedding doom and gloom with every step?

Because you have a right.

You were wronged.

According to your expectation, you need some sort of justice.

And you’ll keep that chip on your shoulder until your wrong has been righted.

At least that’s what you think.

Is your wrong justified?

Maybe.

Possibly even definately.

But don’t move your unmet expectations into sin.

Because then YOU’RE in the wrong.

Sinning while offended looks like many things.

Silent treatment.

Snarky comments.

Eye rolling.

Refusing to participate in activities.

Withdrawing.

Or full fledged anger.

Those, my friends, are sin.

When you are wronged, your expectations are at fault.

If someone failed to meet your expected needs, forgive.

If someone forgets an important date, forgive.

If heated words are offered in exchange for your questions, forgive.

When you allow God to free you from keeping the offense, you are set free.

Literally.

The feeling of freedom far surpasses the prison of someone’s offense.

Live within the forgivness of God.

Extend your grace from God to others.

Ask God to solve your situations of doubt.

Instead of living in fantasy land of perfectly fulfilled expectations, live in the grace of God.

Aligning your expectations to God’s instead.

God will ALWAYS meet your expectations of Him.

And in fact, He’ll far surpass them.

Everytime.

Photos by Dawid Zawiła and Ian Schneider on Unsplash

Security & Honor

Published on February 15, 2020June 9, 2023 by amylinnea1 Comment

However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephesians 5:33

Security.

It’s the number one need women have from their husbands.

We need to feel protected.

Valued.

Loved.

Secure.

Once that’s covered, men, we’re good.

Seriously.

Most of our issues boils down to this one issue.

Are we your priority?

Do you have our back?

Will you fight for us?

We need to know this.

Our cups are filled to overflowing when we feel defended.

First in your life.

Honor.

It’s the number one need men ask of their wives.

Do we value our men?

Raising them up, not tearing them down?

Listening to them, not rolling our eyes in response?

Respecting their wishes?

Withholding the nagging and esteeming him to your friends?

Greeting them with a kiss when the day’s work is done?

Men need to know this.

They need to feel valued through your honor of them.

When husbands feel honored, they feel secure and loved.

When wives feel secure, they feel loved.

When both feel loved, marriages thrive.

God’s intention is for your marriage to thrive.

Thriving is more than simply existing.

Thriving is bounty.

Bountiful marriages yield fruit.

Lives that reflect God’s love and grace, thriving in the security and honor of marriage.

Treasure your wife.

Honor your man.

And you will reap a hundredfold.

Photos by Ryan Franco, Brooke Cagle , & frank mckenna on Unsplash

Appetite

Published on February 1, 2020June 11, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1

How is it?

Your appetite for God?

What’s on the menu?

Heart sugary with a side of forgiveness?

Worship and thankfulness?

Gut wrenching prayers?

Pleas for change?

Or have you been skipping meals?

Ignoring your appetite for God?

Maybe you have a snack once in awhile, whispering a prayer here and there.

Sure way to lose the weight of God’s influence.

His blessings.

His peace.

When one’s appetite for God is healthy, the body is strong, resisting easier Satan’s taunts.

However, the opposite is also true.

When we indulge on worldly gain, ignoring the meat of God, our bodies rarely resist the devil’s temptations.

Even worse, when those worldly gains eat up our time, it always becomes more and more and more, never really satisfying.

And God becomes less and less and less.

Where are you?

Where do you fall on the menu of God?

If you have fallen into the circle of poor diet, stop.

Decide today no more.

Open Psalms and begin again.

Grab that pen and begin to journal all God has done for you.

Pray earnestly, seeking the face of God and His will for you and your loved ones.

And do it again the next day.

And the next.

Your strength will grow and before you know it, you’ll be craving God more than the world.

Then, my friends, you’ll know you’re appetite has changed.

For the better.

Photos by Bundo Kim, Erik Mclean, Stella de Smit, & Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Bigger Person

Published on January 25, 2020June 11, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 1 Peter 3:9

Ugh.

I don’t like that.

Being the bigger person.

Don’t like being the one to apologize first.

To begin the amends.

To swallow my pride.

To open the floodgates of forgiveness.

Rather have the other person go first.

Makes me feel better.

You?

When my honest selfishness invokes horror upon reading what I wrote, I stop.

I think about what God would want me to do.

1 Peter 3:9 reminds us not to “repay evil with evil or insult with insult.”

That’s pretty clear.

Doesn’t mention being first, but fortunately the verse goes on.

Verse 9 continues, ” On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”

I for one want a blessing.

You?

The other side of the coin is this: who do I want to please?

God or Satan?

I’m guessing Satan is pretty darn pleased when I stick my feet in the mud, determining to withhold forgiveness unless asked and pleaded with from the other guilty party.

Know God is pleased when I make the first move.

While it’s fun to feed my flesh, it, in turn, pleases Satan.

Yuck.

Double yuck.

I want to please God.

More than anything, I want to give Him my everything.

That includes forgiving others when they wrong me.

First.

Being the bigger person.

And what if they never ever apologize?

I can move on, because I don’t need it.

All I need is God.

I am responsible for me.

Can’t be responsible for others.

Can’t let others’ sins weigh me down anymore.

As 1 Peter says, “I will be blessed when I repay evil with a blessing.”

Time to make the switch and be the bigger person.

Photos by Lina Trochez, Felix Koutchinski, Alvin Mahmudov, & Dương Hữu on Unsplash

Clinging to the Old

Published on January 18, 2020June 11, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are becoming new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Are you?

Clinging to the old?

The old meaning your self without God.

Your sinful self.

The self that feels better some of the time.

1 Corinthians 5:17 suggests, “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away.”

When we become a Christian, declaring our faith in God, we become new.

Our mind, body, soul, and spirit become new in the eyes of God.

Because with God covering us, we are without spot or blemish.

Old things pass away, meaning our sins are forgiven.

But my question is this: what old ways are you still holding onto?

What comfortable sinful actions do you insist on instead of how God wants you to act?

Just because the old has passed away doesn’t mean you can’t ask for it back.

Picture a closet.

You declare your faith in God.

God replaces all your clothes with new garments.

They are perfect.

Not always comfy, but made by God just for you.

You wake up, deciding what to wear.

Since you are still irked by yesterday, the shiny new clothes almost blind you.

You instantly wish, audibly, for that ratty sweatshirt.

You blink, and see it crumpled back on your floor.

Do you wear it?

Up to you.

Your old sinful nature is wiped clean with Christ’s forgiveness.

But your old ways can and will still creep up, tempting you to wear them.

You must keep your faith in God, asking Him what to wear each day, each moment.

Should I wear faith or fear?

Anxiety or peace?

Self-pity or grace?

Fear, anxiety, and self-pity are a whole lot more comfy at times, yes?

But they make you ugly.

Ask the One who set you free to keep setting you free each and every day.

And each day you choose God and His ways, it will become easier and easier to reject your old ways.

And pretty soon, that ratty sweatshirt in the corner will disappear.

But only if you decide you want it no longer.

Photos by Jozsef Hocza, Zui Hoang, Martino Pietropoli, Patryk Sobczak, Tommaso Pecchioli, & Christian Fregnan on Unsplash

Watching

Published on December 28, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Daniel 12:3

Are you aware that others are watching you?

Watching you react in this life?

Watching you respond?

Are you aware?

As Christians, we are a witness for God.

We are a witness either for God or against Him.

When we, as Christians, respond with love for others, serving them and meeting their needs, we are the face of God.

When instead, we, as Christians respond with selfishness, wanting the best for ourselves, we are also a witness of God.

But when we respond with selfishness, we mar His face.

Placing God in a negative light.

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Where do you frequent on a weekly basis?

Do waiters look forward to your visit or try to avoid serving your table?

Ever asked them about their day?

God is love.

And as Christians, we are full of His love.

We should be spilling Him out everywhere we go.

When we leave a space, it should be better then when we entered.

Better because we have determined to be an honorable witness for Him.

He has given us this life.

He has also given us a charge to make disciples across the earth.

How many people have you come across on this earth today?

Create a desire in others for God through your witness.

With His help, create that desire.

Don’t destroy it instead.

Photos by Josh Hild, Swaminathan Jayaraman. Claudio Schwarz | @purzlbaum. Nick Cooper, & Emmanuel Maceda on Unsplash

Interrupting Plans

Published on December 14, 2019June 14, 2023 by amylinnea1 Comment

“for I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Joseph and Mary had big plans.

They were simple folk with regular plans.

Get married and build a life, working hard to produce an honorable Jewish family.

Probably were going to stay in town, as folks didn’t regularly move away from their communities.

I can imagine Mary collecting recipes from her mother, gathering the skills needed to run her own household.

Joseph, too, honing his carpentry skills, collecting tools, starting on their forever house.

They had plans.

Plans that were normal, thoughtful, accepted, and logical.

Accepted.

Then God stepped in.

He changed their plans.

Radically.

Disrupted their entire future.

Joseph and Mary went from knowing how their future would proceed to trusting God with everything they had.

Went from predictable reliable plans to an unknown, scary future.

Scary, yes, because now they had no one but themselves.

And God.

Their friends probably thought they were crazy.

And their family hopefully believed them, but the Bible doesn’t record their reactions, so who really knows?

All we know is both Mary and Joseph said yes to God.

They trusted His words and each other.

They chose to walk a difficult journey because they KNEW God had ordained it.

They were confident God would be with them always.

That they were IN His plans.

And what about you?

What has God interrupted in your life?

What plans of yours has He changed?

It’s irritating, I know, when things change.

Guessing Mary and Joseph weren’t always in great moods about the whole thing.

But they kept going.

They remembered they were in God’s plan.

That God Himself was in control.

And you, too.

When God interrupts your plans, you fall back into His.

His great plans for your life.

Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Like Joseph and Mary, allow God to interrupt.

Accept His perfect plan for your life.

And take comfort knowing He wants the very best for you, His child.

Photos by Alex Gindin, Roman Kraft, Luca Baggio, & Javier Allegue Barros on Unsplash

Scrooge

Published on December 7, 2019June 14, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Be careful to obey all these words that I command you, that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 12:28

Ever read A Christmas Carol?

My eighth graders read it with me this month.

I know we’ve all seen the movie or the play twice or a dozen times.

We know the story well.

But have you actually ever read it?

It’s so much better.

The text portrays the struggle like no movie can.

The struggle between selfishness and generosity.

Between hate and love.

Good and evil deep in one’s soul.

The wrestle between habit and change.

The text opens depicting Scrooge as a vile human being.

He’d rather kill the poor than shove meager crumbs their way.

He looses the love of his life because his “golden idol” has replaced her.

It takes trips to his past, present and future to finally change Scrooge’s heart for good.

Stave 4 depicts his future.

His soul is overcome with grief at how his sorry life is forgotten, all his worldly gains vanishing into the hands of thieves.

His grief is profound, even gut-wrenching.

At the end, Scrooge is found begging for the chance to change his future.

He is pleading with the Ghost of Christmas Future, desperate to know if there is still time to change what is to come.

To my eighth graders, I posed a question:

What if God showed you a movie of your future, based upon your character of today.

What would you see?

And I ask you.

Are the choices you make today creating the future God wants for you?

Or are you forging ahead on the path to death?

May it not be so.

Let us wake from our sleep, recognizing how much God can accomplish through us.

May we recognize the choices God brings to us and choose wisely.

And may God bless us, every one.

Photos by Erwan Hesry & Greyson Joralemon on Unsplash

Restore

Published on November 2, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:12

Is it alright for Christians to bend to themselves?

Bend to the world?

No, but we do it anyway.

We forget about God.

We forget about His incredible sacrifice and salvation freely given.

David forgot.

In Psalm 51:12, he asks God to “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation”.

That tells me he needed to be reminded.

Needed to focus on what was important.

Verse 12 closes with this request: “…uphold me with a willing spirit.”

What?

David sometimes lacked a willing spirit to follow God?

David, who wrote the most beautiful prayers and praise to God in Psalms, at times lacked a willing spirit?

We know he did because he messed up.

Royally.

Do you lack a willing spirit?

A willing spirit to follow what God wants you to do?

Ask Him to help you.

Ask God to uphold you with a willing spirit.

Means you want Him to fill you up with His power, keeping you firmly planted in what is right and good.

Before you do anything else, ask Him.

Ask God for a fresh infusion of the Holy Spirit.

Ask God to restore the joy of your salvation.

David, a man after God’s own heart, knew when he needed God’s intervention.

And so do you.

Sounds like a plan to me.

Photos by jana müller on Unsplash

No Longer Slaves

Published on October 19, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

And the hand of the Lord was upon me there. And He said to me, “Arise, go out into the valley, and there I will speak with you.” Ezekiel 3:22

What if you were no longer a slave to fear?

What if you decided not to sit under the rule of anxiety, worry, and doubt?

What if you decided you were not that girl who reacted in fear?

Or you are not that boy who lashes out in anger when wronged?

What if you were no longer sitting in darkness alone?

What if you declared instead your life was now God’s alone?

What if you pushed aside all your fleshly misgivings and plunged forward into what you know God wants for you?

What if you stepped out of the boat and walked in faith into God’s plan for you?

What if you put your strong feet where your mouth has been all these years?

What if you declared today is the day the Lord has made, and I will now rejoice in it?

What if you actually stopped, laid your burdens down, and ran into the arms of Jesus without looking back?

What if today was the first day of the rest of your life trusting God completely instead of your old ways?

I can tell you.

If you do that, you will be forever changed.

You will smile bigger than before.

You will walk freer than ever.

You will be filled with God’s peace, which is beyond understanding.

The what if can only be answered by one person.

You.

Photos by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Bottom Line

Published on October 12, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11

When you strip it all away,

When you remove all of the extra fluff,

When you focus on what is truly important,

You focus on God.

God is everything.

He is the beginning and the end.

He is eternity.

Eternity is infinitely longer than life on earth.

Next to God, people come next.

How much are you praying for the people God puts into your life?

Praying they will know God with all of their heart, soul, and mind?

Because that’s all that matters.

Jobs come and go.

Houses are built and eventually crumble away.

Children are born and grow, leaving to live on their own.

Meals are prepared and eaten.

There will always be more to do.

There’s only one thing certain that will last forever.

Your relationship with God.

And your loved one’s relationship with the Almighty.

Again I ask,

How much are focusing your temporary life to bring more with you to heaven?

It’s easy to let the pleasures of this world distract your focus from things eternal.

God wants us to enjoy this life, yes.

But make sure you also focus on your people.

They need your prayers more than you know.

Photos by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Known

Published on October 5, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Blessed be the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise, which he spoke by Moses his servant. 1 Kings 8:56

How is God known?

Through the things that don’t make sense in our lives.

Through the trust we show when the next step we cannot see.

Through His grace demonstrated in us each and every day.

Through His love poured out from our fingertips to others.

Through His peace we feel while tossed to and fro.

Through His forgiveness we give to those who’ve deeply hurt us.

Through the giving we provide to those who lack.

Through the servant we become when thinking more of others.

Through the prayers we pray and the answers that surprise us.

Through the deliverance of trauma, healing the holes left behind.

Through the wisdom we have when asking God for help.

Through coming out on the other side of life’s trauma.

And living, not dying from it.

God is known through our Bible reading, our praying, our worship, and our very lives.

Each and every day, God is known through the big and small things.

How well do you know Him?

Well, I hope.

Photos by Marlon Langoni, H A M A N N, & Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Undisturbed

Published on September 28, 2019June 9, 2023 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 hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27

Jesus was human.

Fully God, yet chose to be human.

There are many things we could talk about, but let’s concentrate on peace.

Jesus was the epitome of peace.

In the Bible, do you see Him distressing ever?

In the Garden of Gethsemane?

On the boat in the storm?

When Lazarus died?

Serving lunch with 4 loaves and 2 fish?

Or was it 4 fish and 2 loaves?

Doesn’t matter as it wasn’t enough for just His disciples and him!

John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Through all of that and more, Jesus was not distressed.

Not panicked.

His face was undisturbed.

Look at His face when you lack peace.

Remind yourself He is in control.

Empty yourself of inward-focus.

And focus on Him.

Focus on His undisturbed self.

If God, who created all things and knows all things, is undisturbed, why on earth are you?

Peace, be still.

Photos by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Greatness

Published on September 21, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinnea1 Comment

We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders that He has done. Psalm 78:4

Greatness does not lay in the office one holds.

Greatness does not exist in the way a person looks or what one possesses.

Greatness pours from character.

Excellent character.

Character that produces servant leadership, stirring the will to follow, bringing others alongside.

Greatness does not exist apart from God.

Apart from God, we are not great.

Humans can do good things, yes, but on our own strength, our good things fall flat.

Flat as a pancake.

Greatness lies within all of us.

It’s there, waiting for God to call it forth.

Sometimes, God calls it out of us, asking us to walk on higher ground.

To walk above it all, carrying others alongside.

In order to be used by God,

In order to be called into greatness, we must submit ourselves to Himself.

Submit ourselves to His will for us.

Not think of ourselves first and foremost.

Coming from DC last week, George Washington comes to mind.

His humble servant heart was called into greatness by God.

God used him to orchestrate our great country.

Think of the consequences if Washington had said no to God.

Had instead secured himself into the safety of Mt. Vernon.

What would our country be like today?

Would America even exist?

Submit yourself to God and see where He takes you.

Even if it’s influencing your immediate world, His greatness will be noticed.

The greatness God wants to call you into may or may not rise to the level of our founding fathers, Billy Graham, or Amy Carmichael.

But it just might.

Photos by AMY MECHAM on Unsplash

Resist

Published on September 14, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinnea2 Comments

For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13

How do you resist God?

With what words or actions do you tell Him no?

He will never insist.

He will never beg.

He simply tells you His truth and waits.

Waits for you to come to Him.

No manipulation.

No threats.

So how do you resist Him?

Ignoring His prompts to share His grace.

Busying your schedule, crowding out time in His Word.

Choosing entertainment before praying for your family.

Deciding against what you know is right, obeying your flesh instead.

Listening to the lies in your head instead of His truth you know.

Succumbing to selfishness instead of serving.

The list goes on and on.

Resisting God equals loving ourselves more.

But what if you invited God to take over?

What if you, instead of focusing on yourself first, asked God what He wanted?

Continually asked God what His plans are for you each and every moment?

What if you considered God all day?

Instead of merely before bed when you pause and pray?

We resist God when we focus on ourselves.

Instead, resist yourself and focus on Him.

Focus on God.

Photos by Nathan Dumlao, NeONBRAND, & Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Roots

Published on September 7, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinnea2 Comments

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:3

How do we deeply believe in God?

What does that look like?

Picture a tree.

You are that tree.

Ok, you can be any tree you like.

Personally, I like Maple trees.

I used to collect those twirly things as a girl and sell them.

Anyhow, where are the roots of a typical healthy tree?

Underground.

Safe and secure.

Solid.

Watered from deep below the surface.

Your faith is like this tree.

Trees with deep roots withstand the blows of life easier than trees with small shallow roots, that are visible on the surface.

How do you grow your roots under your tree?

How do you deepen your faith?

Remembering His faithfulness to you.

Praying for your family and friends.

Fellowship with others who confirm His words.

Diving into His Word, taking them into your heart.

Sharing His faithfulness with others.

Singing worship to God, reminding you of His greatness.

Searching for His fingerprint.

His fingerprints are all over your life if you simply pause to look.

All of these things remind you of His faithfulness and point you towards Him.

Every time you purpose your mind on Him, your roots grow deeper.

Don’t forget to look back, proving my theory.

Think about storms big and small when you were a new Christian.

Probably fell over a few times.

Think about life now.

Yes, we fall over sometimes, but I bet you’re stronger now.

Bet you’ve had some monster storms you’ve withstood with God’s help.

But you kept your faith through them.

Oh, not perfectly, of course, but you’re still here.

You still believe despite.

Trees don’t work to grow their roots.

It happens with time and water.

And just like a tree, your faith will grow with time and water.

Time spent in faithfulness to God and water from His word, fellowship with others, and praying.

Just as a majestic tree stands solidly on the ground, towering over the earth, your faith will stand solidly on this earth, towering over fear and life absent from God.

Photos by Aaron Burden, Richard Hodonicky, Silvestri Matteo, & vision webagency on Unsplash

Belief

Published on August 31, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. John 14:12

How high is your belief?

Belief in God.

Belief in His goodness.

Belief in His faithfulness.

Belief in your God-given gifts.

How much do you believe?

How deep?

I can say things until I’m blue in the face.

Others can share God’s truth over and over.

But unless you take His words into your heart, they mean nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

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We all have our own choices.

To believe God or not.

To believe Him when things are rolling along nicely.

But to also believe Him when you’re plodding along in a deep dark forest.

How deep is your belief?

Even when you cannot feel His hand, do you know He’s still there?

Even when you’re disappointed yet again, do you look instead to His faithfulness?

It’s normal to flip a bit.

To flip on belief when a doubt enters your brain.

A thought pops into your head, planting a doubt, and you respond like you almost agree.

Instead, when little doubts land on your arm, slap them like a mosquito, killing them on the spot.

Ain’t nobody got time for that.

Doubt that is.

Why?

Because doubt always leads to something else.

If you don’t immediately slap that doubt away, it stays in the corner of your mind, coming to the surface every so often.

Something else a few minutes or hours later will try to confirm that doubt.

Now you’ve got a bigger problem.

That “confirmed” doubt has doubled.

Folks, it only gets worse from there.

Doubts are believed when belief in ourselves overtakes our belief in God.

When we determine it’s up to us to be happy.

It’s up to us to solve our moments.

Our belief in God is the cornerstone of everything.

If we don’t believe He is enough, we search.

If we don’t believe He is faithful, we doubt.

If we don’t believe He is here, we panic.

Keep your belief deep, so your roots are well watered when the ground above is parched.

When life is cracked and dry, you will still thrive because your roots are well-watered.

Choose to deeply believe, because life is very real.

Photos by Liam Pozz, Jeremy Bishop, & Christopher Paul High on Unsplash

Purpose

Published on August 17, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of Your hands. Psalm 138:8

What if God’s purposes are for you, not against you?

His purposes you don’t yet understand?

What if God’s ways are higher than yours?

Ways you don’t yet fully see?

What if His allowing trials in your life are for a purpose greater than your very life?

What if His tests are to grow your strength in Him?

To grow your faith in Him?

What if He allows things in order to use you to change others?

What if He plans to use your sorrows through your living, human example of walking through into new life with Him?

Would that make a difference to you?

If you knew that?

That His ways are higher than yours?

Do you trust Him?

Completely?

What if your consistent faithfulness to God in the face of evil is used to glorify Him?

Would that matter?

Would that make a difference?

I think yes.

When we trust God is ultimately in control, our walk is a bit easier.

Steps are easier to take when we know our ultimate purpose is to live for Him.

And the tiny little fact that He is using us.

Using you to bring others to Himself.

You might still step into mud, but you know He is right there to lift you out.

God will use you when you trust in Him.

And it’s just a bit easier to trust Him when you remind yourself of His purpose for you.

To be that light to others.

May your trials be that mush easier as you align your will with His, resting in the knowledge that His purpose will be fulfilled in your precious little life.

Photos by Anita Austvika and Ben Eaton on Unsplash

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