Author - purposefulfaith

My phone rang. It was an unknown number. I only picked it up because I felt an inner prompt to answer the call. Before I did, a strange sense of overwhelming love washed over me. It was directed towards the person on the other end of the call. The only thing was…I hadn’t even talked with them yet.

I answered. They wanted to schedule my kids for an orthodontic appointment at a local office. I didn’t need that. I already had an orthodontist to handle my kids. Before I knew it, I told the lady on the line that I didn’t need those services at all. I forgot about the overwhelming love I felt right before the call, until I hung up the phone. Then, I remembered how God had prompted me to answer the call and then filled me with overwhelming love.

I dialed the phone number back.

“Uh… I’m looking for the lady who called me,” I said.

“Who is that?” the operator asked me.

“I have no idea,” I replied. “She called me just a minute ago.”

“Hold on.”

Before I knew it, the woman I originally talked to was back on the phone. I told her how I felt God’s love for her. I asked her if she needed prayer. She said she did…

“The problem is my marriage. I don’t know if it is going to last,” she conveyed.

I prayed. She cried. I encouraged her, saying that we cannot look on day #2 and know what resurrection life power God has planned to bring on day #3.

“He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.” (1 Cor. 15:4)

Can you even imagine how bad things looked when Jesus went into the tomb? But, in just 3 days the whole story was going to change.

Friends, there have been days where I’ve been convinced my marriage is over. Where I’ve thought it’s dead, only to experience the next day — Jesus’ resurrection power!

All this to say: Don’t give up. Don’t give in.

Nothing is ever over with the power of Jesus behind it.

On my heart, I feel the desire to equip the saints to stand for service. This hour, the enemy is coming like a flood, but we are to raise up a standard.

I am holding a “Help, for my Marriage” Workshop. I want to invite you. Not only will this workshop support you, but it will help keep Purposeful Faith alive and going, as there have been some hosting charges that have popped up, recently.

The “Help, for My Marriage” Workshop (which will also help with other difficult family relationships, too) will include:

Friends, the devil would love for you to think your marriage (and family relationships) are over. I say, they have only yet begun! The best is yet ahead!

You do not need a spouse to attend; this session is meant for you and it will help you. Don’t give up faith.

Prayer: Father, you are the Creator of all things! Create something new in my family relationships. I ask for the resurrection life power of Jesus to heal every relationship that needs healing. Help me to take responsibility for me. Help me to do things a new way. May I release all that I cannot change. And, most of all, may I trust you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

*Subscribe for all Purposeful Faith blog posts by email – click here.

Thanks Welcomes More of God

November 22, 2023

faith, hope, Jesus

“Thank you, mommy.”

Oh my goodness, my friends, every time my kids say these three simple words, it blesses me wildly. Usually in a case like this, I find myself in the middle of a parking lot, holding a load of grocery bags, but everything in me wants to drop everything to hug the living daylights out of them.

Always, my heart cries out something like:

God, thank you!!! My kids see my heart for them. They know my love. They recognize how much I want to give them the very best. They appreciate my heart to provide them simple pleasures. They have moved my heart.

And, I can’t help but think, today… just as their thanks moved my heart, my thanks moves God’s heart.

Just as I want to do a little happy-dance due to my kids’ thankful heart, I wonder if God feels the same way? Just as my children appreciate sacrifice and it moves me to embrace them in love, does my thanks move God to want to embrace me, too? Just as I overflow with the desire to give my kids even more after they give thanks, does God want to pour out more on me, also?

This could be! Scripture says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7)

We pray away harm, while we thank God for who He is and guess what happens? He gives peace. We petition for God’s protection and we end up with a God-embrace that guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Friends, “thanks” is not only a nice thing we do and say, but it is a weapon of spiritual warfare. Thanks is not only a spiritual weapon, but it is protection. It mounts guard over our heart and mind. Thanks is not only something God asks us to do, but it is an important component of prayer that works. Thanks gives us power to move forward with peace that causes us to think straight, that empowers wise decisions, and that yields wise reactions.

This Thanksgiving, don’t let thanks end after Thursday. Let it reign in your heart. Thank God for who He is, what He has done and what He will do, thanks to His faithfulness. Thank Him for all He has saved you from. Thank Him for His son. Thank Him for the ways He has helped your families.

Thank Him for saving your life.

Prayer: Father, you have given me so many good gifts in my life. I thank you always take care of me. I thank you that you know every detail of what you are doing with my life. I see a string that doesn’t always make sense, but you know exactly how you are weaving that tapestry into something beautiful. I trust you. I thank you, Father, that who you are is worthy of all my trust. I give that to you today. I thank you for saving me and for loving me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

P.S. It’s not too late to get a copy of the “Faith Workshop” recording. If you need faith now or you want to trust God more, sign up to get the recorded version. Those who attended found it “inspiring”, “freeing” and “encouraging.” Stand firm in faith and peace. Discover why we go through hard times. Receive encouragement and hope. To watch the recording, click here.

*Subscribe for all Purposeful Faith blog posts by email – click here.

Pick Up Your Weapons Again!

November 16, 2023

There is absolutely nothing worse than suffering alone.

I should know. Sometimes, when the going gets tough, instead of calling the prayer warriors, instead of asking for help, instead of calling out to God in prayer, I turn into my shell and hide-out. I get into my bed. I stick my face in my phone and scroll away. I numb the pain instead of confronting it head on.

I’ve learned, that is the worst thing I can do. Why? Because I not only suffer alone, but nothing ever changes. Ignoring a problem, denying its existence and pretending everything is okay does not welcome in the healing virtue of Jesus. On the contrary, it is like laying my spiritual weapons on the devil’s chest and saying, “I’ll come back and get those later. Can you watch those for me?”

And, to think he won’t use my weapons against me?!

We cannot give the enemy your weapons, sisters! We cannot turn in. We cannot give up. We cannot back down. We cannot believe there is no hope. We cannot walk away from faith.

For some of you, this email is a wake-up call. Well, it is time to wake up. Come and join sisters in the same boat as you, TONIGHT!!!!

You are not alone!

I am having a 1-night workshop called, “Stand Strong in Faith — in the Gap of Not-Yet-Answered Prayers & Extremely Hard Times”.

During this workshop, we will:
1. Find practical tips and encouragement to stand strong in faith.
2. Ditch debilitating fear, doubt and worry; learn 3 practical ways to stand strong.
3. Regain trust in a God who is always-faithful.
4. Gain support and empathy from sisters who understand.
5. Pray for one another, as we trust the God who hears us.

Join me for a night of refreshment, encouragement and grace-giving empowerment.

November 16, 2023 at 6:00 ET via Zoom.
*Recording available.
$25.00

Lately, I have been in awe of God. God IS answering so many prayers. Children are finding joy again. Job provision is coming in. Healing is showing up for people. I want to pray for you. I believe God will move powerfully on releasing fresh hope and that He will also show up on our prayers for one another during this call too. I’m excited!

Let’s join hands together and find refreshment in the Lord!

Testimonials:

“Kelly is a great encourager! Her greatest desire is that you should know who the Lord created you to be and who you are as a daughter.” – M.R.

“Kelly brought light into my very dark world by demonstrating what the true love of Jesus looks like!” – D.P.

“Kelly’s “realness”, no matter the cost has helped liberate me from all the masks I carried. Christ uses her to powerfully deliver freedom in every conversation.” – S.A.

Even better, gift a friend in need with this session. It will change their life.

*Subscribe for all Purposeful Faith blog posts by email – click here.

Know, God Won’t Fail You

November 14, 2023

faith, hope

Driving, I found myself amazed at the weirdest thing!

I know it sounds odd, friends, but isn’t it incredible that highway overpasses actually work? Think of it…three cars can drive directly above us, and yet, the overhead structures never collapse. They don’t buckle under the pressure. Even more, we have no fear of driving under them. We never think twice about their collapse. We know these overhead bridges are sturdy.

But, do we know God’s love is sturdy? Do we know His faithfulness is sturdy? Or, do we trust a bridge to be more faithful than our God?

“He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” (Ps. 91:4 NLT)

God’s promises keep and protect us; they are far more sturdy than any natural thing we rely on to keep safe.

Do we really trust God? Some of us are traveling down roads, yet we are turning back in fear, in doubt and in double-mindedness thinking that God’s way, God’s road, and God’s promises won’t work for us.

If that is you, this Thursday evening is an event you must attend!

I am having a 1-night workshop called, “Stand Strong in Faith — in the Gap of Not-Yet-Answered Prayers & Extremely Hard Times”.

Join me for a night of refreshment, encouragement and grace-giving empowerment.

Register here: “Stand Strong in Faith” Workshop
November 16, 2023 at 6:00 ET via Zoom.
*Recording available.
$25.00

Let’s join hands together and find refreshment in the Lord!

Testimonials:

“Kelly is a great encourager! Her greatest desire is that you should know who the Lord created you to be and who you are as a daughter.” – M.R.

“Kelly brought light into my very dark world by demonstrating what the true love of Jesus looks like!” – D.P.

“Kelly’s “realness”, no matter the cost has helped liberate me from all the masks I carried. Christ uses her to powerfully deliver freedom in every conversation.” – S.A.

Even better, gift a friend in need with this session. It will change their life.

*Subscribe for all Purposeful Faith blog posts by email – click here.

When Fear Seems Overwhelming

November 8, 2023

faith, hope, No Fear

I awoke. It was the middle of the night. Fear was tangible. Sweat nearly broke out on my brow…The weight of the world pressed on my chest.

Would everything work out? Will I be okay? Will my kids come out of this alright? Will God really come through? What have I done? Can I really trust Him now?

Laying there, with no voice but my own, I acknowledged how my mental trek was soon to become an unstoppable train wreck, leaving me in emotional ruin. I’d been here before. I know how mental agitation gives way to endless ruminations that speak louder than the consolation of the Holy Spirit. Undoubtedly, I was about to lose all semblance of control, as well as peace and sleep.

I was at a crossroad…which way would I go? Would I give in to more thinking, pondering, circling, rehashing, ruminating and figuring — or would I tell that demonic spirit of fear to leave me, putting these unruly thoughts to bed once and for all?

Maybe you’ve been there…Maybe you are there today. Maybe fear is gripping you, and your mind feels out of control with figuring things out. Maybe you have a child who has gone astray. A daughter who is on drugs. A husband who won’t stop drinking. A job that feels tormenting. A dream that seems impossible. A financial bank account that is in ruins.

Maybe the devil is knocking on the door of your mind saying, “God, won’t really do it. He won’t really help you. He won’t really come in time.” Maybe you are losing faith and hope that things can be different?

Is that you?

You know what I decided to do the night I almost mentally train wrecked? I put a stake in the ground. I said, “Satan, get out of here; I don’t want to hear you anymore.”

I shut his trap right on up! And, I went back to sleep. In the morning, I wasn’t bothered.

Dear friends, for some of you, the enemy has been talking your ear off. And, you’ve been listening. No wonder you’re agitated and not at rest. No wonder you feel full of fear and not faith.

But, no longer, sisters!!! The time is now to put a stake in the ground and tell the enemy you will not cower in fear, because you are going to stand in faith.

I want to share with you my battle-practiced, time-tested breakthrough strategies to stand in faith, when the world is crumbling on you. They work, because I’ve lived them, honed them, leaned on them, cried through them, and trusted God with them.

I’ve lived them through sickness, weakness, injury, hopelessness, difficulty, abuse, torment, and marital troubles. God has kept me going.

I am having a 1-night workshop called, “Stand Strong in Faith — in the Gap of Not-Yet-Answered Prayers & Extremely Hard Times”.

During this workshop, we will:
1. Learn 5 ways to stand strong in faith.
2. Pray in a way that disarms fear.
3. Know and rely on God in a way that gives you peace.
4. Gain support and empathy from sisters who understand.
5. Pray for one another, as we trust the God who hears us.

Join me for a night of refreshment, encouragement, and grace-giving empowerment.
Register here: “Stand Strong in Faith” Workshop
November 16, 2023 at 6:00 ET via Zoom.
*Recording available.

Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me.” (Jo. 14:1)

We do not need to live troubled; we have a Savior, Redeemer, Restorer, and Power far greater than anything we see with our natural eye.

Testimonials:
“Kelly is a great encourager! Her greatest desire is that you should know who the Lord created you to be and who you are as a daughter.” – M.R.

“Kelly brought light into my very dark world by demonstrating what the true love of Jesus looks like!” – D.P.

“Kelly’s “realness”, no matter the cost has helped liberate me from all the masks I carried. Christ uses her to powerfully deliver freedom in every conversation.” – S.A.

Even better, gift a friend in need with this session. It will change their life.

*Subscribe for all Purposeful Faith blog posts by email – click here.

P.S. I have an amazing email editor. Frankly, I’m horrible at grammar. She’s talented. If you need someone to help you with proofreading or editing, please consider Proofed by Pearl. For more information, visit: https://blinq.me/N95Try18DzzY

Enduring a Hard Wait? Gain Great Faith!

November 1, 2023

“Dad,” the girl said, while tugging her body forward, “I want to go in the deep end of the pool!”

“No,” Dad replied, gripping her tightly. “I can’t let you. I love you.”

“But, I want to…” She whined, sprinting forward like a hamster in a wheel, though going nowhere.

A handful of her shirt was clenched in his fist. He had her, stable.

Frustrated, she thought: Why won’t Dad let me go where I want to go? Why is he holding me back and keeping me stuck? Why won’t my own daddy give me what I want — what I know I should have?

The dad, though, clenching her shirt, knew the truth: the girl was two years old, she couldn’t swim and had eyes too big for her current ability. She needed more learning before she could go swimming.

And, while the little girl thought it was his meanness or coldness holding her back, Dad knew: it was His love protecting her and guarding her. It was His love that had designed an appointed hour — an hour of joy that would come one day, as she was released in the deep end, with all her learned abilities flourishing.

Sisters, many of us think God is holding us back, holding back His hand or holding up our prayers. Many of us think His meanness and coldness are hurting us, when it actually is His love keeping us. Friends, it is not that God doesn’t want you to thrive. I believe He wants you to more than survive when He moves.

God is God; He knows better than what we think and figure…is good, is the right timing, is the best way, is the answer, is how it should happen, is when it should happen, is what it should look like…

Will we trust Him? And, will we yield to His appointed hour? His teaching? His leading? His timing? His way? His growth process in us?

God is not out to hurt us; He is out to love us.

What we think about what He is doing can be the difference between depression and excitement, between joy and mourning, between hope and defeat.

What will we do?

I know, in this hour, so many women are contending and praying for things they are not yet seeing. Sisters, I want to stand with you. I want to impart hope to your Spirit. I can only do this, because I stand in this place, too.

You can walk in complete peace.

This is why I am having a 1-night workshop called, “Stand Strong in Faith — in the Gap of Not-Yet-Answered Prayers & Extremely Hard Times”.

During this workshop, we will:
1. Find practical encouragement to stand strong in faith.
2. Ditch debilitating fear, doubt and worry, by implementing 3 practical ways to stand strong.
3. Regain trust in a God who is always-faithful.
4. Gain support and empathy from sisters who understand.
5. Pray for one another, as we trust the God who hears us.

Join me for a night of refreshment, encouragement and grace-giving empowerment.

"Gain Great Faith in Your Wait" Workshop

November 16, 2023 at 6:00 ET via Zoom. *Recording available.

$25.00

Sisters, I am so blessed to see God answer prayers. So many prayers are getting answered. Children are finding joy again. Job provision is coming in. Healing is showing up for people. I want to pray for you. I believe God will move powerfully on releasing fresh hope and that He will also show up on our prayers for one another during this call too. I’m excited!

Let’s join hands together and find refreshment in the Lord!

Testimonials:

“Kelly is a great encourager! Her greatest desire is that you should know who the Lord created you to be and who you are as a daughter.” – M.R.

“Kelly brought light into my very dark world by demonstrating what the true love of Jesus looks like!” – D.P.

“Kelly’s “realness”, no matter the cost has helped liberate me from all the masks I carried. Christ uses her to powerfully deliver freedom in every conversation.” – S.A.

"Gain Great Faith in Your Wait" Workshop

November 16, 2023 at 6:00 ET via Zoom. *Recording available.

$25.00

*Subscribe for all Purposeful Faith blog posts by email – click here.

Seeing Through Eyes of Faith

October 24, 2023

faith, hope, trials

I sat on my friend’s floor, coiling a long telephone cord around my stubby index finger.

A high school boy had not called her back after she had tried calling him multiple times. I was interested to see how another person, rejected like me, would handle things. It felt good, in that moment to know that I was not alone. She was hurting too now. Misery loves company.

But, she didn’t indulge me how I wanted…her response threw me off. Rather than saying, like I would, “There must be something wrong with me,” she said, “Oh, he’s probably busy and will call me later.”

That surprised me. It wasn’t all her fault.

She didn’t believe the worst about herself…
She didn’t blame herself…
She didn’t think she was flawed…

Instead, she gave the guy the benefit of the doubt. She hoped the best and believed the best for him and herself.

And because of that, she side-stepped all the self-blame, self-hatred, and burdening personalization that I so shamefully and easily walked in.

How was it so easy for her to escape all that?

As she saw it, there was nothing wrong with her, but for me? It was all — ALL my fault.

I wonder if any of you are like me? How often do we personalize what likely has nothing to do with us, thereby heaping pain and self-blame on ourselves?

How often do we decide our kids’ walk is our fault? Our marriage is our fault? Our situation is our fault? People’s responses are our fault?

“Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].” (1 Cor 13:7)

We are to love ourselves. Do you doubt that?

God tells us to “love others as we love ourselves”, therefore, we are to:

1. Believe the best about ourselves
2. Hope there is a good future for ourselves
3. Endure up under ourselves with belief even in the face of our flaws.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Heb. 11:1)

Faith is all about what we hope for.

If we have no hope, we have no faith. If we have no faith, we turn off the faucet flow of the greater things God can and will do for us.

My friend had hope; I had none.

It’s no wonder I got an eating disorder and was ready to die. Without hope, all life dies. Faith can generate nothing new and life-giving.

But, in us, my friends, we have Jesus, the hope of glory! Which means there is always hope! There is always resurrection life power. There is always a new way!

A weekend ago, I spoke at a church, where Jesus came with radical power to heal people of sickness, mental illness, and pain. I have never seen anything like it. The women’s faith believed in the hand of a Saving God! And He came!

If He did it for them, He will do it for you! Have faith that what God has for others could also be for the likes of you, too!

Prayer: Father, you are great. You are mighty. You are able. You are maker. You have good things in store for those who love you. I cast off me for the receiving of you. I let go of what I am not, for the faith that you are bigger than me and my mistakes. I trust you. Life is not about me, but it is for the glory of you! So, today I lean on you and trust in you! You make all things new. You have things in store for me. You have good for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

*Subscribe for all Purposeful Faith blog posts by email – click here.

Receive Peace for Today

October 12, 2023

2 Comments

We’ve probably all witnessed this sort of person… They walk around the house, saying, “Now, where did I put those glasses of mine?”

Little do they know, the glasses they search for are on their head.

I’m the same way sometimes, I search all over the house saying, “Now, where did I put that cell phone?” Aggravation mounts as I go. I flip covers over. I dig into cabinets. I huff and puff.

Fifteen minutes later, I find my phone in my back pocket. What I was searching for, I had all along.

Many of us, in these days, as love runs colder and colder and as offense explodes stronger and stronger — may feel troubled. Troubled by how people are treating us, agitated by what is happening around us, disturbed by problems mounting on us, intimidated by an enemy that won’t stop coming at us, and afraid of all that might happen to us.

This leaves us asking, “What has happened to our peace? Where has it gone?”

Yet, what if what we thought we lost, we’ve had all along?

Jesus said…
“Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]” (Jo. 14:27 AMPC)

Friends, just like glasses on our head or a phone already in our back pocket…Jesus has already left us peace. It is ours. We own it. We have it. We walk in it. We talk in it. It is in us.

So, what gives?

Dear ones, it is not happenings that separate us from peace; it is our belief that happenings separate us from it. Which will we believe — that Jesus has given us peace that we can keep, or that everyone and everything has power to take it away?

When we see ourselves as immovable in His peace and love we will not be moved. Say not today, “where has my peace gone?”, but instead say, “Thank you Father, that Jesus has given me peace. I receive it and will walk in it today, by His grace.”

Then, when problems come, wholly lean on the Prince of Peace, through prayer, to guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Believe that His peace is coming to you!

Without faith it is impossible to please God. (Heb 11:6)

Prayer: Father God, I ask that you increase my understanding and conception of the Peace of God within me. I thank you for this peace Jesus has given me. I am anxious for nothing. Instead, I pray to you and thank you for the peace of God that transcends all understanding. May it guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus as I receive it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hope for Your Day

October 3, 2023