The Plan

Jesus came with a mission. 

To rescue us. To keep His Father's Word. 

In the garden, Jesus had to face the reality of what He would soon face. 

Arrest. 

Torture. 

Humiliation. 

Loneliness. 

Death.

Why would He even consider going through with The Plan? 

Twice during His arrest, He answered the "Why."

To a friend and follower, 

[You know I could stop this,] "But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?”

Then, to the crowds, 

"But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures.” Matthew 26:54, 56a NLT

Jesus came to do what His Father had been promising to do. 

To rescue us from sin. From death. To set us free. To show us true love than gives abundant life. Freedom. 

Our life came at His great cost. 

Nothing could stop Him.

He kept His Word. 

Chains are broken. We are free. 

Father God, thank You for being faithful. You promised to send a Messiah to give people light, hope, and freedom. You kept Your Word! Thanks for being trustworthy and powerful enough to do what You said You're going to do. For giving us freedom from sin, death, from evil. For unfathomably loving us to depths we have yet to grasp. Father, as we reflect on these matters, increase our faith and increasingly love others through us. Give us opportunities to share our stories and share our hope. We trust that You will continue to do all that You haven't yet done, because You are faithful! Be glorified as we cry "Holy, Holy, Holy is The Lord God Almighty. Who was, who is, and is to come." We declare that all blessing, honor, glory, and power belong to You. In Jesus' name. 

Hard is Hard

Hard is hard. It stinks. But God - there's always a "but God" - He gives us tools we can use to get stronger through those hardships. Like King Asa, we have choices to make when we need face hard times.

"Were not the Cushites and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots and horsemen? Yet when you relied on the Lord, he delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war." 2 Chronicles 16:8-9 NIV

Remember how God helped you through impossible circumstances before. He is faithful to you. He has walked you through hard before! Unsure how He helped you? Ask Him to show you. He won't zap you for this, I promise!

Remember the cost of not relying on God. Learn from others' choices. Learn from your own choices. (Have we not all chosen to trust ourselves or another human more than God at some point?)

Each time we remember God's faithfulness and the cost of not depending on Him, the choice to trust Him gets easier.

Choose to believe truth… God will strengthen you! He is with You!

See also: Romans 8:31-35 and Philippians 3:10-14

Father, thank You for walking us through hard! For giving us courage to face giants! For giving us faith that continues to increase. Help us finish each hard trial well. Convict us when we don't want to hear Your correction - when pride tries to rule in our hearts. Give us pliable, reachable hearts. We long to honor You and ask that You have YOUR way in us! 

We give You our hard circumstances and agree with You  that, being covered by the blood of Jesus, we are not defined by circumstances. Jesus is our circumstance!!! Jesus is our provision, our sustenance, our life abundant!!! Thank You! 

I ask a special blessing over those facing what seems impossible and mighty. Speak encouragement into their souls. Heal hurts. Strengthen weak knees. Help us in the Body of Christ to encourage one another as we wait for Jesus’ return. Let us finish well together!  In Jesus’ name!  

Jesus knows & will bring you through.

Hello my Sweet Friend.

I love you SOOOoooo much. I wish I could give you an in-person hug right now. I wish I could take away all your hurts, but I know that would change who you are and I wouldn’t change a thing about you!

What I’m about to say will require a lot of trust on your part, but I ask that you read on and seek the truth, based on the only absolute truth we have in this world (God’s Word, which is Christ Jesus Himself).

I see such a beautiful child of God, who’s being changed before my eyes in an amazing way, by the Holy Spirit of Jehovah Himself. You are being made, as a caterpillar turns into a beautiful butterfly, into the very image of Jesus Himself.

He knew pain. He knew suffering. He knew emotional anguish.

He knew betrayal. He knew, really knew, loneliness. 

He knew the daily distractions, burdens, and drudgery.

Jesus also knew the answer…

In order to become the man He was meant to be,

he would have to rely solely on His Abba.

In prayer. In trust.

Through the tears. Through the frustration.
Through the loneliness. Through sadness and loss.
Through losing friends as he made tough choices.

For direction… even when it seemed there was none.

For hope… even when it seemed there was none.

For friendship… even when it seemed there was none.

“For consider Him who has endured

such hostility by sinners against Himself,

so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Hebrews 12:3, NASB

Jesus is the only one who can fully knows your frustrations and struggles. I'm committed to walking with you as you wait for answers, believing that together He will bring you through this hard season. Together, my friend. Together.

Father God, my friend needs comfort and encouragement. Meet her where she is and, in your faithfulness, let her know how precious she is in your sight. Replenish hope. Help her network of support be the kind of friends she needs right now. Show us clearly how to pray for and love her. Help us be respectful and kind. Protect her from hurtful words. I ask, too, that you clearly show her if there is anything she can do - or should stop - during this time as she waits on You. In Jesus' name...

I love you so incredibly much, and while I cannot take away your struggles or emotional turmoil, I am with you. I will be with you all our lives long. You are so dear to me, and I’m so glad that we can share our journeys together.

You are a valuable gift, and I am so glad to have you in my life!  

With all my love…

Our Deliverer Delights in Us

“He brought me forth also into a broad place; He rescued me, because He delighted in me.”

Psalms 18:19 NASB
 

When He is done squeezing out

all of the usefulness 

that can possibly be pressed 

from each hard trial...
 

Mary knew (3)

“My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.”

“For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave;” 

“Nobody special” in her culture, BUT TO GOD, Mary was raised from the status of a poor “nobody” to someone incredible useful in God’s “upper story”, in Israel’s story, and in our story… not because of anything SHE did, mind you! 

“For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.”

“For the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is His name. And His mercy is upon generation after generation toward those who fear Him. He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. He has brought down rulers from their thrones, and has exalted those who were humble. He has filled the hungry with good things, and sent away the rich empty-handed. He has given help to Israel His servant, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our father, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”

 

Mary knew God's character.

 

He is Holy... He is Faithful... He is Merciful. 

Abba God, my soul exalts You, Lord, and my spirit rejoices in Jesus my Savior! Who am I that you would watch over me, and call me to the good works which You planned for me to do such a long time ago? Your kindness and love toward me is more than I can grasp. Thank You for working in Mary’s life, and for reminding me that You are faithful to finish what You’ve begun. I love You and worship You with all my soul, Abba. In Jesus’ name…

This week's reflections are based on Luke 1:48-55, NASB (click here to read online).

The King Knows My Heart (Warrior Princess series)

Dear friend in the faith,
I am pressed for time all around, but as there is one more Truth I learned in the recent Desert of Shame, I wanted to make sure it was sent by messenger before the next battle begins.

Trust in The Lord (Warrior Princess Series)

Greetings, dear friends. I’m taking a break from my journey to share some truths our Beloved King shared with me recently, as promised.

I certainly hope that you are not disappointed by what I will share, as maybe you’ve already learned these truths. They are from old, and I’ve seen these words many times. Still, until The King opened my eyes, I was unable to perceive the fullness. That said, I beg your indulgence if you have already learned this in your daily training.