Tag: loved

Grateful to Your Toes

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

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

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

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

Increasingly becoming aware of his sin only that night.

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

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

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

Scrooge is agonized beyond anything he’s felt before.

He recognizes he is literally doomed.

Doomed forever and ever unless given a second chance.

A second chance as a changed man.

Begging the Ghost, he claims to have changed.

Begs and pleads with all his might.

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

Stop and imagine yourself. What if that was you?

Do you have sections of your life ugly to God?

So ugly you deserve eternal damnation, too?

We all do. All of us deserve death.

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

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Just like us, when we are forgiven by God.

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

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

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

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

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

Walking From Above

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But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13

Do you know how God sees you?

Do you know about your assured value?

Daughter of the King. Son of the Most High.

Chosen. Valued. Loved.

Do you live like that matters?

It’s hard on earth, yes?

It’s hard when life is cluttered with noise.

Noise from frustrating situations.

That noise can become louder than the voice of God.

It regularly reduces us to our emotional state of mind instead of relying on our sound mind from God.

Are you shrinking down, low enough to be surrounded by the noise of this earth?

Or are you rising tall, listening instead to the voice of God?

When you look up and remember, the noise of the world fades away as you listen to who God says you are.

Not in an arrogant ignoring your duties kind of way.

But living with renewed purpose.

With a smile on your face.

Because He knows.

He cares, and He is never leaving your side.

Picture yourself in a beautiful gown.

Or if you’re a guy, fitted in a brand new suit.

You are clean and fresh, standing tall in your new clothing.

You stand up. And as you keep your face towards Gods, you grow taller and taller.

Suddenly, the things of this world are tiny as you rise above.

The noise fades and all you hear is God’s whispered words of love over you.

You walk around, barely noticing the cares of this world, as you walk while under His provision.

You are more than the longings of this world.

You are more than the problems of this world.

You are more than the issues you will always need to face.

You are more because you are His.

Stand tall. Rise above.

Photos by Chelsea Bock, Dave Hoefler, Jack Sloop, & Ion Fet on Unsplash

Unaffected, Unmoved, Unavailable

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

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10

How affected are you by others?

How often do situations move you into fear?

How available are you to the enemy’s agenda?

Guilty!

I know the truth of who God says I am.

Yet often, I fail to remember.

I know the truth, yet I often forget.

Am I alone in this, or does this happen to you, too?

When I forget, I am affected deeply by the ugliness of others.

When I forget, I am moved to fear or anxiety, sometimes even liking my pity party.

And when I forget, I become available to the devil’s lies. To his schemes. To his agenda.

That’s why we need Jesus, His ever present help.

Why we need the Holy Spirit’s whisper, reminding us of the Bible’s truth.

Only with our continual trust in God can we even hope to thwart the enemy’s plans for us.

One weapon we have is to memorize scripture.

Paste a special one somewhere you’ll see it often.

Continually remind your brain of Who made you. Of Whose image you bear. Of Who loves you.

Let’s try it for a second.

Think about how bad someone recently made you feel.

Feel your mood start to shift downward?

Now confidently speak these words to your brain: You are God’s temple and God’s Spirit dwells in you (1 Corinthians 3:16).

Picture yourself standing tall alongside Jesus, His crown on your head.

Picture yourself standing at the cross, Jesus looking at you, dying just for you.

Picture Jesus standing in front of you as you walk into a tricky situation.

You are protected, loved, and safe.

You are chosen.

The next time you begin to fall back into your poor me, even deserving of the attitude self, picture yourself seated in the high places with Jesus.

He chose you for this time.

He is for you, not against you.

With the Creator of the entire universe by your side, absolutely nothing else matters.

Walking in this world will only last for a short time, when compared to all eternity.

Why let others bring you down?

It’s not worth it.

You’re certainly worth more.

God says so.

Photos by Tim Mossholder, NEOM, & Adam Davis on Unsplash

Walking Away

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

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

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

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

Rejection

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The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent. Exodus 14:14

Satan wants us to reject ourselves.

He wants us to act as if we are reject-able.

Unloved.

When we act accordingly, we fulfill that prophecy.

Ultimately rejected.

Not because of us, but because of how we act.

As parents, we must look past rejection and continue to love.

As spouses, we must continue to love, seeking to validate the other person fully.

Completely and fully loved.

Secure.

As members of our great nation, we simply must defer, bringing life to others.

Unless of course you find yourself in a riot and then for God’s sake, defend yourself to the bitter end.

Jesus spoke words that were unusual.

Controversial.

Reject-able in His time.

But he didn’t become that.

His words didn’t make Him reject-able.

So why would you?

Why would you allow yourself to become reject-able?

Because you succumb to the temptation of self.

Of unloving.

Stop.

Recognize Satan’s goal.

His goal of you ultimately rejecting yourself.

And say no.

God will never ask you to reject yourself.

He is on your side, fighting for you.

Pulling for you to be full of His life instead.

In John 10:10 Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Rejection comes in as a thief to steal, kill, and destroy you.

Jesus will bring you life.

Abundant life.

Allow Him to free you, letting His peace, which passes all understanding, guard your heart and mind.

Photo by Jesse Dodds on Unsplash

Noticed

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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

Security & Honor

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

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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.

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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

 

Securely Loved

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And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security. Job 11:18

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Are you securely loved?

By anyone here on earth?

Have you the pleasure of knowing you are completely surrounded by that love?

Completely safe through the knowledge you are absolutely securely loved?

Do you have that from your folks?

From your spouse?

A dear friend?

Securely loved means you don’t have to perform to earn it.

You can mess up, even royally, and stay in peace, knowing you are loved for who you are, not what you are.

Securely.

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Have you lost that security?

Ever?

Have you lost the undying love of your folks?

Has the spouse you vowed to love left you through death or divorce?

There are few earthly relationships God has designed to provide love.

Secure love.

Love that doesn’t measure your worth based on what you are, but loves you for who you are.

Love from parents and spouses are the two that come to mind.

Unfortunately, our broken world produces lives that fall apart from the lack of secure love.

Our one and only hope of secure love rests in the loving arms of God.

In the One who created us for love.

Who designed our hearts to love.

His love is secure.

It will never fail.

If you’ve never felt securely loved, it’s time to place your trust in God.

His love for you will astound you.

You mess up, but He still loves you.

You put other things before Him, but He still loves you.

You recommit, deciding to get serious with God for the 110th time and He still loves you.

God loves you.

How much?

He sent His one and only son to die for you.

For you.

His love predates you and will go on for ever.

Rest securely in His love.

You can never earn it, so He gives it to you freely.

When you trust in Him, you are absolutely securely loved.

Forever.

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Belief

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Believe Me.

You are loved.

Valuable.

Unequaled.

Perfectly formed.

Made in My image.

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Believe me.

I am here for you.

Always.

Continually by your side.

You are never forsaken by Me.

Ever.

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Believe Me.

I have ordained your steps.

Your life is safe with me.

I know your every move.

Your going out and your coming in.

Nothing is hidden from Me.

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Believe Me.

Because I believe in you.

Love, God

Photos by Matthew Smith, Thomas Quaritsch, & Elijah Hail on Unsplash

Still Loved

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The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. Revelation 22:21

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I am trying, Lord.

I am trying, yet I am failing.

It seems as if I am failing, yet I know I am not.

I am trying to be who You want me to be.

To everyone I love.

To everyone I meet.

To whomever You place in my path.

But I seem to fail more than I succeed.

My needs jump right in front as top priority more times than I would like to admit.

Why can I not keep You first in my life?

When I look at others, why do I let myself block the precious view of You?

You are in my husband.

You are in my children.

You are in my students.

You are in the lady at the corner market.

You have given me countless opportunities to serve You every day.

Yet, no matter how much I want to serve You in my actions, I fail.

Falling down to serve myself.

My needs first.

I will keep failing and be filled with disappointment when I do not keep asking You to fill me up with Your wisdom.

Your strength.

Your love for every person.

We only have one opportunity for each momentary interaction.

One chance to look at the other person and see You.

May You remind us to love others with Your love.

May You remind us to speak life into others with Your love.

May we bless others through Your love as You have blessed us.

May we see others as You see them.

Your precious child.

And may we see ourselves that way as well.

Loved by you, flaws and all.