Category Archives: Freedom

“A Heart to Belong”

Calling, Freedom, Healing, Journey, redemption, Rest, restoration

Breathing a weary sigh, she stepped outside letting the door close gently behind her, thinking that maybe a breath of fresh air would help clear her mind, so that she could focus. Despite her best intention, the feelings of frustration and despair kept washing over her, why did it seem like she was all alone and none would understand the turmoil and anguish within her heart?

In her mind she replayed the all too familiar scene from the evening before when she had flung herself across her bed sobbing, it had felt like her heart would break from the pain. The fear had clenched her and gripped her like never before, the fear of not being loved was real and even now that very thought and other thoughts threatened to cripple her as she walked along.

Was there no one that cared?

Was there no one who would love her?

Was this all there was to life, a vicious cycle of tears, heartache and pain?

Was it worth it, really worth it to endure the pain and the struggles of life?

Then there was the gentlest of voices amidst all the questions and turmoil within, “my daughter, I care about you, I created you in my image and I love you, will you receive my love and allow me to care and heal the pain within your heart?”

“You may not understand this season my daughter, but I see each and every tear you cry, and I know that you question why, but I am asking you to trust me with your heart and allow me to carry you through this time? I know it seems scary, I know it seems vulnerable, but I promise I will not fail you?”

“Will you entrust me with the every area of your heart? Will you allow me to care and heal what has been broken and shattered within? I am your Father and I desire to care for you and your heart.”

With tears streaming down her face, her flesh attempting to rise up and stop her from taking action what she knew she needed to do, she spoke into the night, “Yes Father, I trust you to care for and heal my heart, it seems vulnerable but I am trusting you!”

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” ~Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-6‬ ‭

My friend, it is not easy for trust that has been broken, to be regained immediately, in fact; it often takes years to regain/restore that trust, but we serve a Father who delights in us, He rejoices over us and He wants us to be Whole and abide fully in Him! What will you trust Him with today?

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” ~Zephaniah‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭

“Beyond the Surface”

Freedom, Healing, Journey, Love, Protection, redemption, Rest, restoration

Seeing you walk down the street I would have never guessed the level of pain you had faced in your young life here on earth, but then you allowed me to come closer, you invited me into your space. You welcomed me with open arms into your abode, you served from your meager supply and I felt right at home with you. Sitting across the table from you, I began to see study your face and your eyes told of unimaginable levels of pain and shame from your past. We discussed minor things and then eventually moved into deeper things of life and your eyes became downcast and you could no longer meet my gaze. So I handed you a piece of paper and you began to write. As the paper filled up, so did your eyes with countless tears. Your penmanship changed as you described very difficult times in your young life and my heart wept for you as I read your story. I wanted so badly to take the pain away, but I couldn’t, I could only point you to the great Jehovah Rapha, the Lord our Healer. He is able to exceedingly above and beyond all we can ask or think.

Days later we sat beside each other in a church service and you reached for my hand, you gently massaged it and then lovingly held it in your hand as we listened to the Word of God being preached. It was then that the Lord spoke to me and confirmed what I had begun to perceive and understand and it was this:

“In every nation, every tribe and tongue, there’s two main desires that every person has; to know they belong and that they are loved”

It does not matter how pain you have experienced or how much turmoil there has been in your life, there is still a desire to be loved and to belong. It’s a desire put there by Your Heavenly Father to draw you close to Him! It’s nothing to be ashamed of, we are created to be dependent upon Him!

One can try to hide those desires by filling life to the brim with carnal things, but they will not fill the void within your heart, and you will find yourself running on E constantly. Yes, carnal things may bring temporary happiness, but then you will need something else to fill that void. It’s only in the Father, that you will find unending Joy! He is the real Joy giver.

My dear friend, you will not fill that longing deep with your heart, until you run to the Father and allow Him to minister to your heart and spirit. Listen to the words of the psalmist, most likely inspired in a painful time in his own life:

“The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy. The LORD is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works.” Psalms‬ ‭145:8-9‬

Now my friend, I challenge you, will you dare to go below the surface and allow the Lord to use you and speak to you, to bring healing to your own life and to those around you? Will you allow Him to use you to Be His hands and feet?

The Red Sea

Freedom, Healing, Journey, Peace, Protection, redemption, restoration

I wonder what it was like that day

As the children of Israel stood on the banks

Of the Red Sea, a seemingly impossible

Obstacle before their very eyes.

The army of Pharaoh overtaking them.

Did the fear from within arise?

In their distress, they cried out to the Lord

The Lord began to speak in a mighty way

“Do not be afraid, stand still and see

The salvation of the Lord above”

For what He will do today for you

Will demonstrate His greatness and love.

“The Lord will fight for you

You only need to be still”

Oh the Word of the Lord spoke clearly

They watched Moses stretch out his hand

Then as the waters begin to part ways

And as the sea became dry land.

The waters now became a wall

To the right hand and the left

They walked across on dry land

Gathering on the other side

They watched their enemy follow

But then it was evident, the Lord was on their side.

Where the waters had been divided

For them to cross the Red Sea

The Lord now caused the waters to return

The way He had appointed and designed

That transpired when there was obedience

And they themselves with the Lord aligned.

We all have a Red Sea on our journey

The obstacle staring us in the face

The enemy threatening us from behind

To find comfort, we want to run and hide

But would you turn your eyes upward

And in your Father wholly confide?

So in your fear and trembling

Cry out to your Father in Heaven

He will hear you in your distress

He will fight for you, but being still you must

He will give you peace beyond understanding

But in Him you must place ALL your Trust.

“Then the waters returned and covered the chariots, the horsemen, and all the army of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them. Not so much as one of them remained. But the children of Israel had walked on dry land in the midst of the sea, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. So the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Thus Israel saw the great work which the LORD had done in Egypt; so the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD and His servant Moses.” Exodus‬ ‭14:28-31‬ ‭

“He is Compassionate”

Freedom, Healing, Journey, Peace, Protection, redemption, Rest

We are a society that craves comfort, we hate pain and any sort of discomfort, we avoid it at all costs. But there are time when you come face to face with what is reality, the truth, and the pain that grips your heart is real, now what choice do you make?

In such moments the flesh longs to find comfort despite the the pain and reality of what is on the horizon. Traipsing around it won’t help, and pretending it’s not there doesn’t make it go away. The spirit groans, the heart aches, and the flesh rebels. It’s a face to face, head on battle with the darkest moments of life, reliving what is most painful, yet it’s necessary to do so, so there can be emotional healing.

The Father speaks, “ I will not forsake you” and clinging to that promise one dares to take His hand and slowly move ahead, step by step toward the place they have avoided for many years, the pain being more real then they could ever remember before. The reality of losing something precious is heart wrenching and it seems the pieces could never ever be put back together.

Step by step they continue to walk, now strength is gone and the child burys his face in His shoulder and clings desperately to the Loving One beside her, knowing that if they let go, it’s over for this time. The walk is one of entering a tunnel of darkness without end and they enter slowly, because the Father, carrying them now, understands the pain they are experiencing and He compassionately holds him close.

The child realizes that now He has ceased walking and it can only mean that they have arrived at the place. So still clinging to Him, the Solid Rock, the Refuge and Strength of their life, he knows that to find healing emotionally, they must allow themselves to go back and relive the moments, no matter how painful it is. The memories flood over him like a crashing wave but the child knows the One who holding him is an anchor that is safe and secure. The pieces of the heart and emotions, shattered and torn many years before are being knit together as the child allows himself to go to “that painful place”

Lifting his head and turning for just a brief glance once more, as one would to catch a final glimpse of a grave about to be covered, a grave of painful memories that will never be opened again because Jehovah Rapha heals completely.

Now burying his face into the shoulder/chest of Him who carries him, Jehovah Rapha carries the child weak, worn and exhausted of All strength from battle, a battle that was Victorious because the Father was a part of it. They exit the way they had entered and though the child is spent of all strength, he forces his head to lift and he notices the path once a place of destruction is now illuminated with light.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” ~Psalms‬ ‭119:105‬

The child knows the words, “I will not forsake you” were spoken by no one other then the very Father himself, Jehovah Rapha has healed.

“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 ‭

Friends, pain is heartbreaking but healing brings peace and rest. The Father is compassionate and He will ALWAYS be with you as you walk the journey, keep your eyes on Him and He will carry you.

“He is Compassionate”

“Be not Anxious”

Freedom

To not be anxious is to cease from worry and letting the cares of the world overwhelm oneself. It’s being at Rest, not because the circumstances are Perfect, but because the Father, the One leading you is perfect in ALL His ways.

How easy it to shift our focus on to ourselves and our circumstances that seem so imperfect and impossible, attempting to take things in our own hands and control situations that are way out of our league. We then acknowledge that step one didn’t work so we attempt step two which is to try and change things which is a sure recipe for disaster.

We acknowledge step one and two don’t work so, we stumble over ourselves and attempt step three which is becoming anxious because we are attempting to do things in our own strength and they just simply don’t work. So now we are anxious and that opens the door for fear to also come in because we don’t know what else to do.

My friend, things cannot be done in our own strength, it’s literally impossible! We simply cannot control things, it too is impossible. We must return to the Way of the Lord, falling upon our faces and acknowledge our sin of doing things our way! We must Surrender! Laying all our Hopes, dreams and desires on the altar before our King and allowing Him to have His way in us and saying as Job did:

“Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” ~Job‬ ‭13:15‬ ‭

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My friends, anxiety is not a part of God’s plan! It’s simply a tactic the enemy uses to attempt to get our focus off of our Heavenly Father! Let us look at two specific verses that are written in the Word of God that address anxiety and fear.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” ~II Timothy‬ ‭1:7‬

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” ~Philippians‬ ‭4:6-7

Let’s take Note of the pattern we see in the last scripture after He commands us not to be anxious. “but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God”

It is with a heart of gratitude that we are to come before Abba Father with our requests, we also acknowledge that at times it is much easier to be thankful then others. There is always some thing to be thankful for in every situation and it is so important to have a heart of gratitude at all times. Try it, I promise you it will shift your focus❤️

So now we know that it is with a heart of gratitude/thanksgiving that we are to make our requests known to the Father. Just listen to the promises following those first words: “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Just let those words speak to your heart, meditate on them and allow the Peace of God to flood over you as you choose to surrender it All to Him🙌🏽

How completely satisfying to turn from our limitations to a God who has none.

~A.W. Tozer

“Oh Such Love”

Contentment;, Freedom, Healing, Journey, Love, redemption, Rest

The woman coming to the well to draw water, seeking to fulfill a physical need, meets the One who fulfills a deep spiritual need within her and gives her Living Water.

My heart is continually stirred as I ponder this story and as I have read and reread the passage recording this beautiful story of redemption. Such a beautiful story unfolds as the woman, who’s name we do not know, comes to the well and meets her Messiah. Let’s meditate on the well for a moment and why Jesus may have chosen that spot to sit and rest.

It’s quite obvious that Jesus had traveled quite some distance and the fact that He chose to sit and rest at a well is really of no surprise. Let’s think of a well as a place of rest, a place where one can be refreshed by the cool water that is drawn from the well.

“Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour” ~John‬ ‭4:6‬

The Samaritan woman coming to draw water was seeking to fulfill one or more physical needs, one of those being thirst and another being to draw water perhaps for washing for her household. Imagine her surprise as she draws near to the well and sees a man and a Jewish man at that, sitting by the very well she was coming to draw from. At the hour that she was coming, typically there was no one else even close to the well; therefore, that would explain why she chose that time to come and draw water at the well.

A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.” ~John‬ ‭4:7, 9‬ ‭

Why would Jesus ask the woman for a drink? In those days, the Jews had no dealings of any kind with the Samaritans but Jesus did not let the rules and traditions of those days stop Him from speaking to the woman.

And as we read further into the story we see how Jesus showed genuine Love and compassion for this woman. He spoke truth in loving tones, his heart filled with compassion for her, He showed such loving Kindness to her. Her physical need was forgotten but her spiritual needs that were unknown to her beforehand were taken care of as she listened to the words of Jesus.

Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” ~John‬ ‭4:13-14

It’s obvious her life was forever changed as we read a bit later in the chapter. The Love of Jesus always changes a person and they are never the same.

“The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” Then they went out of the city and came to Him.” ~John‬ ‭4:28-30‬

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My brothers and sisters, are we receiving and accepting the Love Of the Father. Oh how He loves each of us so abundantly! He calls us His children, that alone should cause a spirit of thankfulness to rise up with in each of us. Our lives should reflect an unending lifestyle of worship, praise and adoration for our Heavenly Father🙌🏽

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” ~1 John‬ ‭3:1

As for myself, I have found my perfect pattern in Jesus, who said, “The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” I am no longer motivated by personal ambition. I have discovered a sweeter, purer motive: simply to please my Father. ~Derek Prince

Perfect Love

Freedom

Are there times that God speaks in mighty ways through a passage of scripture that you are reading, even though you have read it numerous times before? I certainly hope the answer from you is a resounding “YES”. The writer in the book of Hebrews puts into beautiful words: “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews‬ ‭4:12‬

So we see here that the Word of God is Living, Powerful and sharper then any two-edged sword, therefore; it should speak to us every single time we read of its words no matter what passage we are reading and meditating on.

The passage of scripture I want to draw our minds to, is found in the book of 1 John and is one that is familiar to many of us.

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” ~1 John‬ ‭4:18‬

So we know and understand that God is love and if we are in Him, His love is in us. (1 John 4:16) We also acknowledge that His desire is for us to be just like Him, that our character would become like that of His and the fruit of our lives would like that of the fruits of the Spirit.

We also acknowledge that He (The Father) is perfect in ALL His ways and now let us to meditate on that word “perfect” for just a brief moment. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word Perfect as: being entirely without fault or defect; flawless; satisfying all requirements.

Now that we are familiar with what the first part of the verse is speaking of, let’s now move down to the end of verse 18 “..but he who fears has not been made perfect in Love.

My friends, I don’t know how much clearer it needs to be? If there is fear in your life, there is likely an area within you that has not been made whole. Are you not trusting completely in the Father? If we Love God, the Father as we say, sing and hear about frequently, then why could we not trust Him with every single detail of our lives? Should not surrendering and trusting Him with our lives and each detail of it, be an act of worship to Him?

Whatever season you are in, if there is fear within you, ask Jehovah Rapha, the Lord our Healer to heal and cleanse that area of your life that has not been made whole.

Fear is: False Evidence Appearing Real. And what does fear do? It paralyzes, cripples, brings doubt, confusion and etc.

Remember only the fear of God should be within you, that holy, reverent fear of the King of the universe. Any other fear is not of Him, but of the enemy of our souls.

You are Loved by the King, the Most Holy One❤️

Losing Sight of the Shore

Freedom, Healing, Journey, Protection, Rest, restoration, Safety

It is no secret that we live in a land of abundance and I am so thankful for the blessing of having plenty, however; I am starting to understand that because of the abundance that we have we tend to live safe, comfortable lives, more secure in our cushioned little box than we are in Christ.

Let me share a story with you that happened to me personally while I was in Kenya just earlier this year, it truly was a life changing moment for me.

So several things you should know, is that I am generally terrified of water. Reason number 1 being for the fact that said person cannot swim, therefore putting a fear within me and yes, scripture does say:

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” II Timothy‬ ‭1:7‬

Our team had an incredible time on the short safari we did on our African trip and I thoroughly enjoyed it until I heard the dreaded word “kayak” because I knew that meant somewhere I was going to have to directly face fear and that jus terrified me. I attempted to comfort myself with the fact that I would stay at the lodge and nap(because I was really exhausted) while they went on the kayak trip. That plan didn’t work out well at all, as we are on the game drive and suddenly we stop beside the river and then I knew that my fears were going to have to be faced head on.

So I was paired with one of our incredible team and I, trembling from head to toe got into that kayak, so terrified and just sure I was going to drown somehow. And honestly, I am shocked I didn’t tip the kayak because the spirit of fear was so heavy.

We begin the trek across the waters, and thankfully it was quite calm but I clung to that kayak like we were out on the deep sea on choppy waters.

In my tense and fearful state of being I began to pray, crying out to God for peace and help. And instantly the Father brought to my mind the story of Jesus walking on the water and how He bid Peter to come to Him and as long as Peter’s eyes were fixed upon Jesus he was fine, but the minute he gave into the carnal and noticed the boisterous waters, he began to sink. Let me refresh your memory with the passage of scripture:

” Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” -Matthew‬ ‭14:25-33‬ ‭

Out on that water in that kayak that I so hated earlier I had to repent and confess that fear, and that I had looked at the carnal instead of focusing on the Father. It was a life changing moment for me, to lose sight of the shore and to rest in the Father. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip back to land when we returned, in fact I didn’t want it to end.

Oswald Chambers says it so well:

If I can stay calm, faithful, and unconfused while in the middle of the turmoil of life, the goal of the purpose of God is being accomplished in me. God is not working toward a particular finish— His purpose is the process itself. What He desires for me is that I see “Him walking on the sea” with no shore, no success, nor goal in sight, but simply having the absolute certainty that everything is all right because I see “Him walking on the sea”It is the process, not the outcome, that is glorifying to God”

So my friends, wherever you find yourself in this moment. May you rest in the fact that losing sight of the shore is preparing you for greater purpose all for His Glory🙌🏽

Africa-part 1

Adventure, Calling, Freedom, Healing, Journey

Such a God-orchestrated trip! Such an incredible team! Such a journey of preparation! I will attempt to document highlights of our incredible trip to the villages of Kenya, so you as the reader may get a glimpse of it too.

From the first time back in October 2017, when I first heard about Africa and the mission there, to the beginning stages of planning the trip in January, to the work God did in my own heart before we went, to each incredible moment of our time together as a team, it truly was a trip I will never forget!

As I mentioned above, last fall was the first time I heard of the mission in Africa, through the stories shared by our team leader, and in that moment something on the inside of me was stirred and I knew I wanted to go to Africa, although I had no idea that 6 months later I would be on my way there.

In January I had the opportunity to meet up with our team leader Matt and his brother Ken at a conference. The conference was incredible but church service the following day was even more amazing and that is where God really began to speak to me about going to Africa. And the question that I asked myself as I was wrestling with what God was asking me to do was:

“Do we miss opportunities by not being obedient immediately to what we know the Father is asking us to do?”

I could not deny that God was calling me to go, although I had no idea what all I was committing to. Before I left the church that afternoon the beginning stages of a trip to Africa were in motion and as I drove home, God gave me a theme, #aboveandbeyond for the trip, which was from Ephesians 3:20-21:

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” -Ephesians 3:20‭-‬21

I was unaware of just how exceedingly, abundantly above all that I could ever ask or think, the Father was going to do things. GOD IS SO GOOD🙌❤

The excitement began to rise as the 7 members of the team were asked and then committed to going, passports were applied for and processed in a very timely manner, which was definitely a work of the Father himself.

Planning was in full swing on our end, as we planned a t-shirt fundraiser, which totally went #aboveandbeyond what we ever dreamt of, it was absolutely incredible at the amount of support we received from people all across the U.S.

And most importantly, the work the Father was doing in our hearts as members of the team, the emptying of ourselves, surrendering to Him and allowing Him to renew our spirits and hearts. The journey was hard and lots of tears were shed before we even begin our trip, but the preparation was essential for the work the Father had for us to do.

The days and weeks passed ever so swiftly and finally the day came! Our excitement knew no bounds as we arrived at the airport, met up with members of the team. Oh, it was exciting to know that we were about to embark on a journey, a work that only the Father could orchestrate.

Boarding the plane for that 13 hour flight, was an experience in itself. We had the best stewardess and we were served so incredibly well, amazing service and delicious food, including ice cream that was served to us at 2 AM. That stuff was incredible 🍦

After 13 hours, we were ready to get our feet on solid ground for a short time and so with swollen feet and weary bodies, we traipsed through an airport in Doha, to meet up with the remainder of our team, and then boarded a plane for the last 5 hours to our final destination, which would be Nairobi, Kenya.

Landing there at midnight, stepping on African soil, oh my heart felt like it could burst, as I took in all the smells and sounds of that land, clothed under the cover of night. Checking into our rooms for the night we rested our weary bodies on those beds that felt much better than the airplane seats that reclined only a few inches. and there was Wi-Fi to connect too, total American, I know😁

And then the next day, the adventures were about to go to a whole other level. But that’s coming in the next post… 😁

But I do have to show a photo of our incredible #dreamteam, along with our incredible safari guide. 😍 we made so many memories together in the beautiful country of Africa!

“You Belong”

Freedom, Healing, Peace, redemption, restoration

“And you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. -1Corinthians 6:19‭-‬20

I saw you slip into a chair at the table, then sitting there by yourself. In the little time we had to chat, I could tell you were lonely and the sadness in your voice confirmed that. You seemed desperate, wanting to be friends, yet you hesitated not knowing whether you could trust me. In my spirit, I could tell you longed to know you were loved and that you belonged. We parted ways but I will never forget you. Our paths crossing was not mere coincidence, it was by divine appointment. If not for both of us, then certainly for me.

I want to tell you, I can relate, relate because I was that person. So if you will allow me to share a few things with you, some things that I have experienced, learned, and still am learning on this journey of life.

Deep within each of us are desires and two of them are, to Be Loved and to know We Belong. These two desires are absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. The Father created us for relationships, and it truly is a beautiful thing

” For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well”
Psalms 139:13‭-‬14

Now throughout our journey through life, there will be heartache and hurts, and each time we get hurt emotionally or even physically, and we don’t know how to properly “handle or process” the pain another wall goes up in our heart, because it hurts, and when something is painful our tendency is to make sure it doesn’t hurt again, even if it’s not the best way to prevent it. Then from these hurts, stem lies straight from the pit of hell, and a seemingly endless cycle starts, where you are hurting and so you (often unintentionally) hurt others to cover that pain.

Just hours after I met you today, I was reminded of an incident that happened a number of years ago, at a time when I didn’t even recognize that rejection and loneliness were such a huge part of my life.

It was a Friday night, friends were gathering for an evening of food and games, and I being invited, had already committed to being there. I get to the location where the event was planned and because of the loneliness within my own heart and spirit and the lies the enemy was making me believe, I could not even get out of my own car. I actually left and went back home, crying most of the way home.

It wasn’t that anyone had talked to me, or even knew I had been there. The pain of having been rejected in the past was so real in my heart, and I was so lonely that it forced me to give up, what should have been an evening of fellowship and fun.

Although the enemy may have won that evening, the Father has the final word! He has healed me from That! There is Victory in the Finished work on the Cross! HALLELUJAH!

But now, thus says the Lord, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.”-Isaiah 43:1

My friends, I want you to hear this: “You Belong” I know your heart is hurting, there’s pain, but I want you to know “You Belong” The Father created you with specific purpose, in fact He knew what each day of your life would be like, before He even formed you. He cares about every detail about you, and He wants to give all pain to Him, so He can heal you!

“Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture” -Psalm 100:3