You Are Welcomed Back

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Happy, blessed Monday!

Sometimes, it is hard to define a relationship with our father.  Some are heroes, many, not so much.  It is that very relationship that can define so much of our life.

It is often unpredictable and too often, absent.

No matter what your relationship with your earthly father is, we can always depend on our relationship with our Heavenly Father.   He is always present, always all knowing and always ready to welcome us with open arms.  His love is unconditional.

There have been times that I have run away from my forever Father and He accepted me back lovingly.  Not because He had to, but because He wanted me back.  No matter how unworthy I was, He wanted me back.  What a wonderful Father we have!

If you have gotten lost and feel like you are unworthy, just call His name, then run into His open arms!

Pray Unceasingly!!

Lois

 

You are Welcomed Back

by Terri Groh (Alliance Women)

I am looking out the picture window of our home, waiting for my father to come and pick up my siblings and me for our weekend visitation time. We would often wait for hours, only to learn that he wasn’t going to show up—again. He was often angry with my mother, or one of us, and had decided that he had something better to do. Over time, this repeated childhood experience produced self-talk that said I was not worthy of my father’s love.

This thought process carried over into my spiritual life. Many times, when I stumbled or struggled with some sinful behavior, I would think, I’m not worthy. God can’t possibly forgive me for this. He’s not going to show up.

And then I would see the truth of my Heavenly Father’s attitude toward me in Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11–32. It is a familiar story for many of us: the younger of two sons tells his father he wants his share of the inheritance. Once he receives the money, he leaves home. For a while, the younger son has a great time. However, he soon finds himself destitute. The money is gone, and he is trying to survive in the middle of a famine in a distant land. He works a menial job feeding pigs and is so hungry that he longs to eat their food. Then he comes to his senses—it’s time to go back home. The younger son rehearses his speech, which includes: “I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants” (Luke 15:19).

When the younger son is still a long way off, the father catches sight of him—and takes off running down the road to welcome his son back home. In Middle Eastern culture, running was a shameful thing, yet the father is willing to risk humiliation to greet his long-lost son.

What a beautiful picture of how God welcomes us back when we come to our senses and return to Him. He doesn’t require us to clean up and do penance before we return. God doesn’t keep us at arm’s length, and He doesn’t make us earn our place at His table. He doesn’t sit and wait for us to come to Him. He runs towards us and throws His arms wide in welcome. When we come home, God publicly celebrates that we have returned! He prepares a banquet and throws a party. There was an empty spot at His table and now it is filled. We are back home where we belong.

It took me many years to understand and believe in the depth of God’s love for me as His child. It was a shock to realize that He was running toward me with arms open wide, welcoming me. I have learned that my Heavenly Father always shows up. And when I look into His face, I see nothing but love.

 

“What is Joy According to the Bible? Lessons From Home

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Happy, Blessed Monday!

I have thought a lot this week about joy.  There are so many external factors that try to steal our joy.  Sickness of body and mind, death, the general condition of the world we live in, politics, challenges unaccomplished, and wait!  There is another thief of joy and it is a big goal of his, our enemy, Satan.  He will use every vulnerable crack in our armor to steal our joy and if he can lessen our faith, all the better!

In my never-ending quest for knowledge 😊, I went searching for more info on joy.

Here’s what “Lessons From Home” has to say. 

“What is Joy According to the Bible? 

The idea of studying joy came to me when I was reading Nehemiah and studying the “joy of the Lord is my strength” verse. 

Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) 

The story behind the verse is important. The children of Judah had been exiled to Babylon due to their idolatry. Here they lived among the heathen with no land to call their home. When the years of their punishment are finished, God stirs in the hearts of his faithful servants to start a movement to return home to the land their forefathers had been taken from. 

They endure multiple trials, but they strive to rebuild what was destroyed. They ask Ezra the prophet to read to them the Law. 

He stands on a wooden platform with hundreds of Jews gathered around him and begins to read the words written centuries before. With thirsty souls the people listen and suddenly the greatness of their sin and disobedience falls upon them and their hearts begin to mourn. The people cry out in repentance. 

What a beautiful scene. A whole multitude of people, whose desire is to return to the Lord, raise up their voices as one and repent! 

After this, Ezra and Nehemiah declare the day holy and tell the people to rejoice and be glad. They tell them to feast and be happy. Why? Because God has heard them! 

What is the difference between joy and happiness? What exactly is the joy of the Lord? 

I would first like to point out that happiness is an emotion and that is not what I am referring to when I say joy. Emotions are our natural reactions to situations around us. 

I wholeheartedly believe that our joy is not dependent on our circumstances. Joy is the ability to be content believing that God is working all things for our good.

 There is a difference between joy and happiness and while we all love the high we get from happiness, true joy is steady and dependable. It is like maturity lol wrought from experience, with a little heartache and faith mixed in.” 

 

 I really like that.  Anger, and fear abounds but when we look up, our hearts can feel peace and the joy that only Christ can provide.

Some of the benefits of joy that I came across online, not from me:

 “Benefits of feeling more joy 

promotes a healthier lifestyle. 

boosts immune system. 

fights stress and pain. 

supports longevity.” 

 “How Do You Feel Joy in the Lord? 

Discover the Lord’s Purpose for You. You are more than ordinary. … 

Find Joy in Your Circumstances. One of the keys to finding joy is to recognize God’s hand in your life, even during challenging moments. … 

Remember That Joy Multiplies. … 

Look for God in the Ordinary and Simple.” 

And finally:

“Through that joy, they unlock a sense of purpose and hope which ultimately releases them from poverty. For God’s children, the power of joy is never-ending. Although not one fruit of the spirit is more important than another, joy enables us to experience the others in the way that Jesus did.” 

Pray Unceasingly and Walk in Joy!!

Lois

Colossians 3:13

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Happy, Blessed Monday!

 

We’ve probably all known someone, someone who has been hurt or angered by something that they just can’t seem to move beyond.  Sometimes, it is temporary, they just need a little time to sort things out and maybe even extend some grace and forgiveness.  Other times, their entire world finally revolves around that hurt and anger.  The bitterness grows until that’s all there is in their world.

For me, the saddest part of this is that they create a rift between God and themselves.

Colossians 3:13 says “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”

 They forsake God in order to justify the continued bitterness and lack of forgiveness.  Eventually, it affects everyone around them.  Unfortunately, if unresolved, it’s like a cancer.  It grows and gradually destroys the one who is harboring these feelings, while rarely having an effect on the target of those feelings.

So, is there hope?  I believe there is always hope, right up to our final breath.  Our God is a God of miracles.  He can change hearts and lives.

As His ministers, how do we react?   It isn’t always easy, but I believe we need to love them even on their most unlovable days.  Occasionally, that love may involve stepping back to refresh, then love them some more.  Present an aura of peace that can only come from God, while not allowing yourself to be the punching bag.  That can occur, not just physically, but mentally and spiritually too.

Meanwhile, stay strong in the Lord!  HE is our strength and hope!

Pray Unceasingly!!

Lois

 

Lysa TerKeurst

Holding onto a little bit of offense, a little bit of unforgiveness, a little bit of resentment might not seem like that big of a deal.

But Scripture tells us that if we go through this life harboring bitterness toward others and even God, we’re actually defiling many. (Hebrews 12:15) This is because bitterness isn’t just personal . . . it’s corporate. It leaks out like liquid acid onto every person we touch.

Bitterness often wears the disguise of other chaotic emotions. The grudge that feels increasingly heavy inside of us. The desire for the ones that hurt us to suffer. Frustrations with God for not doling out severe enough consequences. Seething anger over the unfairness of it all that grows more intense over time. Covertly recruiting others to our side under the guise of processing or venting.

Sadly, undealt with bitterness can end up ruining our relationships and our witness.

But if we will choose to pursue unity and peace within the family of God, letting Him sweep our hearts clean of bitterness through the process of forgiveness, we can become a sign to a broken and hurting world of what is to come in Christ. Our lives can point them toward the forgiveness and reconciliation they need that can only be found through Jesus. This is because the Church is the visible representation of the “already” of Christ’s Kingdom on Earth and the “not yet” of the final consummation of Christ’s return.

Please know this isn’t a message about justifying, allowing, or ignoring abuse or injustice. But when we give evidence to the inner workings of Jesus by trading anger for kindness, resentment for compassion, and bitterness for gentleness and forgiveness… it splits this cold world wide open with the warmth of Jesus.

Not one person who sees it walks away unaffected.

God Must Become Greater 

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It’s Monday!    May it be BLESSED!

“I am Second.”

Have you heard this before?  There are at least two books written on this but do we know what it means?

In a “me” kind of world where you are encouraged to always put yourself first, where your world revolves around your self-esteem, pride and ego, do we even have a clue as to what that means?

My greatest desire is to SERVE Christ.  To be His servant.  Not relying on me or some thing, but to lean on the only completely reliable source of love, hope, and freedom: the God who created me.  It is by serving and become less that we gain so much more!

A servant of Christ knows who is the King. A servant of Christ is one who has voluntarily set aside his or her personal rights in order to love, serve, and obey the will of God in Christ Jesus. Servants of Christ die daily to sin and fleshly desires, allowing Christ’s life to flow through them (Galatians 2:20).

I believe if we are in a true relationship with Christ, our service to Christ will include service to others.  Sometimes, it may be a simple smile that brightens someone’s day, sometimes that may include physical help, financial assistance or maybe loving the unlovable.  Whatever I am led to, I pray I recognize and act on it.

I don’t want to be first.  I am second.  My Jesus, my Savior, my God will always be First!

Pray Unceasingly!!

Lois

 

God Must Become Greater

Lysa Terkeurst

The Bible says that God must become greater and I must become less. Those are simple words I would do well to challenge myself with tonight.
Simple words reminding me it’s not all about me or my comfort or my plans. Simple words that remind me of the way Jesus demonstrated humility and service through His life and His death. Simple words… He must become greater and I must become less. I’ll be honest, I need these words tonight. How about you?
As these words rush through my mind, I realize it’s good for me to serve others. It’s good for me to see how often I grumble and complain. It’s good to see how much I need Jesus. It’s good to feel His strength take over when I’m weak. And it’s good to pray that He becomes more and I become less.

What Does It Mean to Put On The Full Armor Of God? 

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Happy Monday!!

There is a song and it’s one of my favorites.  The title is “Lord, I Need You” by Matt Maher.  It begins like this:

Lord I come, I confess
Bowing here, I find my rest
Without You, I fall apart
You’re the one that guides my heart

 There are times when life beats you up and you look around and it seems like there’s no one there.  This is not true, and I know that, but those are the times you can only find your rest in the arms of God.  He is my peace, my hope, and yes, my rest.

Sometimes that feels so natural and other times, I have to step back and take a deeper look.

I know I feel like I need to be prepared for anything that might come my way.  Sometimes that idea works and other times, not as well but whatever happens, I know where my strength comes from.  I ask the Lord every day for His truth and righteousness.  I beg for forgiveness because I fail Him too often.  It is through this growing process that I gain strength.

You don’t have to feel alone.  This amazing gift is available for us all. We just need to ask.  Through this amazing gift we gain His righteousness, His peace and faith.  We have an instruction book, the Bible.  If you haven’t accepted this gift, what are you waiting for?

Pray Unceasingly!!

Lois

 

What Does It Mean to Put On The Full Armor Of God?

Billy Graham

Ephesians 6:11 says: “Put on the full armor of God that you may be able to stand…”

As believers in Jesus Christ, this is our protection: His truth, His righteousness, His peace,

and faith in Him through the gift of His salvation.  We must ask the Lord to help us protect our minds, bodies and hearts, and He gives us the tools from scripture to do this.

He will use everything in our lives to make us fit to serve Him faithfully.  God can take anything that happens to us and use it to shape us and make us into the person He desires.

There is nothing easy about the Christian life.  It doesn’t mean Christians cannot have fun times, but for Christians, life is more about living joyfully no matter our circumstances.  This is where we have the opportunity to show others that our strength comes from the Lord.

Not one account in the Bible tells us that living for God will be easy.

When we encounter difficulties in life, if we rely on the Lord to strengthen us and teach us, He will be with us through everything and victory will be won according to God’s purposes.

This is our testimony that the watching world sees.

Change

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Happy Monday!

Sometimes something appears at a time that you need to hear it the most.  Sometimes you want so badly to save someone from themselves that it is very hard to acknowledge they can only be saved if they want to be.

We can plant seeds but usually, someone else will be the one to water them.  If we are fortunate, we may see that seed germinate and grow.  And sometimes, a person will never take the active responsibility to pursue a change in their life.

The One that can change a person is God.  He provides opportunity, the planters and the waterers but ultimately, it is up to that person to open their hearts to change.

So, you wonder just what you can do?  You can plant or water and you can love them, even when they are unlovable.  Sometimes though, you have to just step back and breathe.  Pray hard and often, interceding on their part but not breaking yourself.

Ultimately, they are the ones who will have to face the consequences of their choices.  Do what you can then rest in the knowledge that you did all you could do.  And always:

Pray Unceasingly!!

Lois

 

Change

Lysa TerKeurst

Most of us would agree that it isn’t really possible to change another person. But then we get placed in a situation where not doing so seems to contain realities too harsh to bear . . . so we exhaust ourselves trying to do the impossible.

Trying to change another person will only lead to maddening frustration both for you and the other person, though. Trust me, the people who you think need to change the most will wind up changing the least when your efforts are greater than their own.

Why? Because true heart change? A lasting transformation? If the other person doesn’t personally pursue it, they’ll never be able to keep choosing better behaviors for themselves. And the minute you let them out of your cage of control, they’ll get worse, not better. And not only will they get worse, but so will the situation and, even more tragic, so will you.

Please don’t miss that last statement. When you empty all your emotional, physical, financial, or relational resources to help another person who doesn’t want to be helped, you will become more and more unhealthy in the process. The more you allow their actions to cost you, the greater the debt will be that you eventually have to forgive.

This situation has already cost you enough, sweet friend. If you keep handing over more and more, it will be the most draining experience of your life. In the end, you will have used up everything you have and find yourself crying in a heap of frustration at best, devastation at worst. It truly is one of the most heartbreaking moments of anyone’s life when they have to release a loved one to the consequences of their own choices. But it’s also the only chance that either of you have to get any better. And it’s the only shot you have at staying healthy enough to walk the road of forgiveness.

Where the limitless grace of God provides a way for all to be forgiven, the truth of God provides appropriate parameters so that wrong behavior can be addressed. And one of the wisest things we can do today may be to ask Him where boundaries need to be established with equal measures of mercy and tough love.

How To Stop Overeating

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Happy Monday!

As promised, here is a follow-up to last week’s post.  If you are fighting this battle, be prepared for the long haul.  It is one of the hardest battles for me.

Please don’t misunderstand me, I know the context of the following scripture has absolutely nothing to do with my battle but it still comes to mind.  The common denominator, in my mind, is my weakness and that weakness can only be resolved by changing me and looking for strength from God.

Romans 7:19  “I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.”

Listed below are some steps that might be helpful if you are fighting this battle too.  For me, I know I have to have something sustainable, not just a diet but a lifestyle.

My prayer is that no matter what battle you are up against, you find your answer and you do it walking with Jesus beside you.

Pray Unceasingly!!

Lois

 

How to stop overeating…

Becky@Soveryblessed.com

Okay, obviously, this is a huge topic that I could talk about forever (which is I DO – ha! On top of the free info on my website, we created an entire Christ-centered program with support to help walk you through it all), but let’s talk about the basics here.

These 4 steps are what I consider the foundation to everything when it comes to overeating and they are the 4 steps I went through when I lost 100 pounds myself.

You’re going to want to read the whole blog post because I go into *way* more detail over there and this info is SO helpful but here are the super abbreviated 4 steps:

Step 1 – Learn Your Eating Boundaries

Step 2 – Get A Handle On Your Emotional Eating

Step 3 – Learn Your Hunger Signals

Step 4 – Practice Eating Mindfully/Intuitively

So, take a minute to think about where you are in your journey right now.

Have you been trying to skip steps? Have you made more progress than you thought?

Like I said, you’re going to want to take the time to read the full blog post to understand what all goes into each step, but it’s so helpful to see the whole process and re-check the priorities you are focusing on right now.

And I also just wanted to encourage you. Mindful/intuitive eating is all the rage right now and I do it myself now, too, but if I’d been in the beginning of my weight loss journey, I wouldn’t have been able to make it work.

I would have felt like a failure, like I was beyond help.

If you’ve felt that yourself, please know that’s a lie.

You are not a failure, you are not beyond help, and you can absolutely do this.

It’s hard to find the things that work well for you without feeling frustrated that things that work for “everybody else” just don’t seem to work for you.

Please, don’t give up. Keep trying. You can do this.

Brokenness

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Happy Monday!

Here we are again, looking at some serious issues that many of us have faced at one time or another.  Sometimes, it is very difficult to categorize these issues.  They hurt when we do.  It makes us vulnerable, instead of strong and invincible.

There are days that the “clean eating” plan flies out the window and slams it shut behind it.  I have been at this a long time.  I know what I should eat and I know how much of it I should eat.  I know if I indulge in more than a bite or so of sugar, my body will be letting me know with increased pain.

So… it should be easy, right?  And yet, it is a constant, battle between my mind and my taste buds.

Food can be a great source of comfort.  I grew up in a home where pretty well everything – good, bad, or ugly, was commemorated with food.  Got a wedding, there was food; got a –funeral, there was food: got a family, let’s eat!  It was good, old fashioned comfort food too.  If there was no occasion, then one needed to be created so there would be food!

What if we stop and think, every time we reach for food, just stop and ask yourself why?  Are you hungry or are you bored?  Are you mad or are you sad?  Rise above emotional eating.

Allow yourself to have some treats, but be sure they are not too often and not too big!  Try not to remove entire food categories out of your life.  That’s generally a bad idea nutritionally and only makes you crave it more.

Be mindful of what you eat.  Sit down at the table to eat and accept responsibility for what you put into your mouth.  Enjoy every single, well-planned bite.  If you mess up, forgive yourself and do better the next time.

Above all

Pray Unceasingly!!

Lois

 

Becky at So Very Blessed <becky@soveryblessed.com>

 

This morning, I was journaling some thoughts about whole-heartedness that have been on my mind lately.

I was listing out some of the things in my life that reflect my brokenness (bitterness, worry, stress, numbing my emotions, etc) as well as characteristics of wholeness in Christ (peace, satisfaction, trust, rest, etc).

When I was listing those traits of my brokenness, my pen hesitated.

I didn’t want to write down that I’d been feeling bitter.

I didn’t want to feel bitter in the first place! But, the fact of the matter, is that “bitterness” was the accurate word to write down. It was true. That’s what was going on in my heart.

And I needed to admit it. I needed to recognize it so that I could more clearly see and feel my need for Christ.

That word we don’t talk about?

Gluttony.

It’s an uncomfortable word that makes me squirm. It feels accusatory to even throw it out there, but I struggled with gluttony.

I used to be stuck in a pattern of regularly overeating more than my body needed (which led to me being 100 pounds overweight), but admitting it out loud or on paper with the directness of that word just felt too big.

But the thing is, the Bible doesn’t shy away from recognizing and directly naming the things that get in the way of our relationship with God.

It’s not about pointing a finger of blame or heaping shame on your shoulders.

It’s about recognizing the real state of our hearts behind our unhealthy habits.

Admitting we have a problem and seeing how much we need Jesus to overcome it is such an important step to true, heart-level healing.

(And, please remember, that admitting you struggle with gluttony does not change your identity. No matter how much you weigh or how much you eat, you are a child of God, first and foremost. That is unchangeable.)

To be continued…

Trust God!

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Lysa TerKeurst

“That thing you’re having to trust God with? Take it one day at a time. We can’t let fears about tomorrow steal our joy for today.”

 

Happy Monday!

Have you ever noticed that sometimes the simplest things can just run up to you and smack you in the face?  Sometimes it happens and this did that to me.

I think I am better now than I used to be but… sometimes when you are smacked in the face, you temporarily lose your sense of reason.  Those fears move in and try to take all of your joy and set up permanent quarters in your heart and mind.  Don’t do it!

If we trust God, then He already knows everything that is raging in our hearts and minds.

If we trust God, then we can pour it all out to Him and He will take control of it.

If we trust God, when that thing comes back at us, trying once again to steal our joy, remind yourself that our God is SO much bigger than the deceiver who tells us He isn’t.

 If we trust God, we know without a doubt, He isn’t a God just for good times or just for bad times.  He is a God of our lives, always present and always loving you.

 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Philippians 4:6-8

Pray Unceasingly!!

Lois

Lysa TerKeurst – Deeper Connection

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Happy Monday!

Have you found yourself feeling disconnected spiritually?  Especially during the overwhelming times of the past 18 months or so?

Have there been times that you felt like you had forgotten how to talk to our Father, or even that, if you did, He didn’t hear?

This is something I try to actively work on, but still, it seems to happen occasionally.

I KNOW He never walks away.  I THINK that sometimes He wants us to use what we have learned from His word and His promises to actively honor Him.  I also believe He wants us to actively believe and lean on Him.  It’s through this relationship that we grow closer to Him.  As you grow closer in your relationship, you discover that you either find the words needed or realize that you are covered even when you don’t!  Thank you, Jesus!

Pray Unceasingly!!

Lois

 

Lysa TerKeurst

Have you ever found yourself longing for a deeper connection with God but you just aren’t sure where to even begin?

If you’re worried I’m going to tell you I have a long and overwhelming list of things I do every day to feel closer to Him… don’t be. Honestly, I just ask Him to renew me and shape me into the woman I need to be as I get into His Word. And I commit to following hard after Him, no matter what.

This helps me grow ever closer to God—pressing into Him so He makes the deepest impression on me.

I’ve also learned if I want to grow closer to God, I have to distance myself from whatever is distracting me. I have to lay aside whatever I am prone to delight in more than Him.

Let’s ask God which distraction we need to distance ourselves from in order to grow closer to Him, and then let’s do the hard and holy work of denying ourselves. Because a deeper level of intimacy with Him will always be worth the cost.

Here is a prayer we can lift up today…

Lord, show me what stands in the way of intimacy with You, and give me the strength to lay it down — for a season or maybe even forever. I long to be closer to You. No matter the cost. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.