Purposeful Faith

Category - awe

How Do We Understand Suffering?

I didn’t know my friend and I were about to have this discussion; however, we’re known for having hard discussions. And, she’s going through a lot, and I am too. So, I suppose, her question made great sense.

She asked me, “Kelly, what do you make of attacks and suffering? I’m not sure of my theology about them.”

Are attacks and pain from God or the enemy? Are they something we wish away or gain victory over? Are these situations working for us or are they solely schemes set up against us? Do we have victory over them or do they win our heart over to God? Do we fight or submit to them?

I understood her question. As people, we want to make sense of things. We want our mind to understand. We want every ‘i’ dotted and every ‘t’ crossed when it comes to our theology so that we can stand on it without questions. We want order to what feels chaotic. We want to harness down suffering and trials because they are so wild and reckless. I get it.

I answered her with this: “We cannot put God in a box.”

When it comes to suffering — it is not either/or (Ex. Either, God is good or God is bad.)
When it comes to suffering — it is yes, and

Yes, this light and momentary affliction is horribly hard and it is producing for us an eternal weight of glory.

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Cor. 4:17)

Yes, the devil attacks and we can be strong in God’s mighty power.

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Eph. 6:11)

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” (Eph. 6:10)

Yes, it looks bad and ruined and, yet, God is still working all things together for our good.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Yes, there are trials and we are becoming fortified with perseverance and character that produces great hope (a very important substance for mountain-moving faith).

“Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Ro. 5:3-4)

”Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1)

Yes, the devil has power over the world and Jesus is victorious.

“Satan, who is the god of this world…” (2 Cor. 4:4)

“No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” (Ro. 8:37)

Yes, we persist through the trial and God also opens doors through persistent prayers.

In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (Jo. 16:33)

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Mt. 7:7-8)

A preeminent and omnipotent God cannot – and should not – be boxed in.

We cannot say: “He either works like ___” or, “He works like ___.”

Frankly, as much as we can’t nail down all His ways, God has every right to work anyway He wants (see: Is. 55:8-9). Humility knows, with God all things and all miracles are possible. It also knows, with God, His grace is enough to give us the power to stand through any storm.

God is always faithful.

Yes, He is infinite, all-powerful, all-knowing and, always, He is working out His best plans for us. He is always able.

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How To Know God More…

good father

Have you ever just known something?

When my husband wakes up, I know the first thing he’ll do is get coffee.
When my daughter poses for pictures, I know she’ll likely make a silly face.
When I open my computer, I know a million windows will pop up.
I know, at home, I have to go up a little curb to get onto my driveway.
I know my son will not want onions on his dinner plate.

Intimacy with someone is — to know them. The more time you spend with them, the more you know their preferences, their desires, and what makes them tick.

The more time we spend with God, the more we know Him. The goal is to know God and to be known.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— (Jo. 10:14)

God knows us, through the finished work of Jesus at the cross. Our acceptance and belief in His salvation mean He knows us as His own (if you don’t know Jesus this way and would like a personal relationship with Him, please respond to this email and let’s chat together).

On the flip side of the coin — we can know God! We can know Him intimately, just as we know the inner workings of a family member. We can know His preferences… How He loves… What He loves… Why He loves… When He is calling us to love… How He looks at us… What is on His heart…

To know God is to love Him more. And, to be known by God is to feel so loved by Him that you trust His leading. Obedience comes easy-er.

Just as sure as you are that your house is still on your street — you come to know — He is faithful. You believe in His promises.

With this kind of knowing — you don’t have to fight to know — you just know. His faithfulness is as sure as the rising sun.

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Ro. 10:17)

Faithful-knowing comes from spending time with Him, and hearing His Word. Knowing is a product of His likeness taking residence.

Someone once told me that love is spelled: T.I.M.E. Are you making time to connect with God? Are you making space to know Him more and to be known? God wants to spend time with you!

Prayer:
Father, I want to know you more. I want to grow more and more in love with you. I want to pursue you with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind, and all my strength. Bless me and give me the grace to do this. Help me to carve out time to spend with you! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Invitation to Experience God in the Bible:

Want to spend more time getting to know God more? Join my workshop:“Understanding and Loving God’s Word”.

Here, you will learn how to:
– Find and make time to read the bible.
– Learn how to keep focus.
– Connect deeply with Scripture, to understand God’s heart of the matter.
– Activate scriptural truth so it changes you from the inside-out.
– Bring bible stories to life.
– Use scripture to become a powerful prayer warrior.
– Cultivate a hunger for God’s Word.
– Dig deeper into Hebrew and Greek meanings, to gain greater insight.
– Encounter God’s heart for you.

This workshop is $30.*

This is a recorded, emailed workshop that you can watch at your own convenience. You can go through the material at your own pace. I expect God will really meet your heart and give you great faith as you meet Him in His Word! Register today.

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Where You Can Hide When You’re Afraid

Frankly, all I could muster out of my mouth this time was, “God, be my defender.”

The attack was ferocious. The verbal assault, intense. The end of it, not in sight. There was no place to hide.

My insides cried out… How will I make it? I have no strength. I can’t even muster words to pray.

The only place I could land was a nonverbal statement that somehow became a silent prayer: “Kelly, be still and know that He is God.” (Ps. 46:10)

I took a deep breath and exhaled the battle. God would have to fight it now.

Dear friends, did you know? Sometimes – at the end of ourselves, at the end of our lives, or at the end of our rope – a prayer can be a single scripture, owned. When there are no words, prayer hides out under a scriptural truth until it becomes and overcomes us.

“For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.” (Ps. 27:5)

God’s Word is a place in which we can hide. When no words are left, when all looks impossible, when the battle is raging, when nothing is working – God’s Word always works. When the world is folding in on us, when people are accusing, when the rug is pulled out from under us – there is powerful hiding we can find, in scripture residing in us.

Yet, if we don’t have it there, we can’t hide in that cleft of the rock. God’s Word is not only truth; it is a hiding place for the weary.

Do you have scripture residing in you? You know, if you are not in a battle today, there’s likely one coming at you tomorrow. Are you ready? Prepared to stand firm? Do you have oil prepared and stored?

To memorize the Word is to never lose it – even if physical bibles were someday taken away.

To dive into Jesus’ heart, is to know it – even if everyone else’s heart is turned against.
To become the Word is to know the Word – even if words of hurt surround.

To understand the ways of God, is to know the paths of God – even if confusion mounts on every side.

My friends, now more than ever, we must not only have scripture in our minds, but we must own it in our hearts. For there, it cannot be stolen, but it is greatly seen by God.

“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7)

God looks upon our heart. How do we connect our heart with God’s? How do we strengthen our heart? How do we love what God loves? How do we keep focus on His Word?

The more we seek Him the more we find Him.

Prayer:
Father, let us seek you and find you. Let us know your Word as our words. Let us be strong in the power of  your might so we can stand any test of these times. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
An Invite for You:

If I know anything, I know the power to persevere, to love God and to keep hope — comes through God’s Word, which is why I want to invite you to my latest workshop: “Understanding and Loving God’s Word”.

Here, you will learn how to:
– Find and make time to read the bible.
–  Learn how to keep focus.
– Connect deeply with Scripture, to understand God’s heart of the matter.
– Activate scriptural truth so it changes you from the inside-out.
– Bring bible stories to life.
– Use scripture to become a powerful prayer warrior.
– Cultivate a hunger for God’s Word.
– Dig deeper into Hebrew and Greek meanings, to gain greater insight.
– Encounter God’s heart for you.

This workshop is $30.*

Join me on Tuesday, June 18 at 6:00 p.m. ET via Zoom (the event will also be recorded).

Bring your bible, a journal, and expect to grow in love with God’s Word. Register today.

Subscribe for all Purposeful Faith blog posts by email – click here.
* The charge for this event covers the costs it takes to run this encouraging ministry. If you feel led to donate more to this ministry, please let me know.

Triumph in Christ May Look Different Than We Think

love

“But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, “Why are you loosing the colt?”

And they said, “The Lord has need of him.”  Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him. And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road.

Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, 38 saying:

“‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!’
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.”
But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”

(Lu. 19:33-40)

The title of this section of scripture in the bible is called: “The Triumphal Entry of Jesus”.

This is odd, right?

Triumph is Jesus riding in on a colt? Shouldn’t He be on a chariot or a throne?

Triumph is clothes laid on top of a colt as a saddle? Shouldn’t He have a saddle of gold?

Triumph is Jesus walking on clothes down a road? Shouldn’t He walk on a red carpet?

Triumph is being questioned by religious leaders? Shouldn’t they know His heart?

Friends, triumph in the kingdom of God looks nothing like the ways of the world.

Jesus is most triumphant when He is most triumphed in our heart!

“… the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying:

“ ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!’
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!””

This is triumph! Triumph first happens in our hearts and outlooks before it ever happens in our surroundings or circumstances.

The King of Kings is realized, before us! The Lord of Lords is honored, even in the laying of measly clothes on dirty ground! The Name of the Lord is adored, even as He rides in on measly low-level colt.

My friends, the triumph of God in our lives looks far different than the triumph the world demands and expects.

Don’t ever let that throw you off…. Don’t ever let the worlds ideas of triumph confuse you…

God doesn’t need you to donate large sums of money and to have your name on a plaque to be honored; He just needs your heart. God doesn’t need millions of dollars in order to do some huge worldwide thing; He just needs your small alabastar jar. God doesn’t need you to be a well-known speaker with a hundred-million followers; He just wants a willing vessel ready to talk to the one.

God doesn’t size you up based how many bible verses you have memorized; He loves your heart of adoration.

You can be triumphing, in Christ, and look horrible to everyone else.

You can be triumphing, in Christ, and have the worst clothes ever.

You can be triumphing, in Christ, and look like an idiot and a fool to those around you.

You can be triumphing, in Christ, and be as poor as dirt.

You can be triumphing, in Christ, and be completely misunderstood.

Do not judge triumph by the standards of the world or the standards of the world will yell at you like that Pharisee did. It’ll yell: “Hey, is that God really worthy of being followed?”

Oh, yes He is! Because the triumph of God is different than the ways of the world!

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us [a]diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?” (2 Cor. 14-16, NKJV)

Prayer: Father God, I thank you for every single thing you are doing in my life. I thank you that you are my everything, my all-in-all, my Redeemer. I thank you that you are Faithful and True. I thank you that triumph in you looks different than the world. I thank you that you are reigning in all these things. I pray that people can see you in me. I pray that my life would be a living testimony to your goodness. I pray that all my actions, my words and intents would be like a fragrant aroma unto your throne. I thank you that triumph is being fully committed to you. I am committed and will never turn back. Thank you for that. Continue to give me strength to stand firm and to stand strong in you. IN Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Don’t Look Back

I misunderstood a person. I condemned someone because I believed a lie. I botched a good relationship. I judged motives and removed relationships. I made rash decisions along the way.

Sometimes, I am sad when I look back. Are you?

There is a horrible thing that happens when people look back. Remember the story of Lot…

God was going to utterly destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of their wickedness…

“At dawn the next day, the angels hurried Lot and his family out of Sodom so they would not be destroyed with the city. When Lot hesitated, “the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them. As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, ‘Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!’” (Genesis 19:15–17).

As the family fled, “the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the Lord out of the heavens” (Genesis 19:24). But, then, in disobedience to the angel’s command, “…Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt” (verse 26).

Looking back destroys us.

Jesus, later, instructed the disciples, “Remember Lot’s wife!” (Luke 17:32).

Looking back hinders going forward.

Looking back is like trying to continually run through a high-voltage fence; you think you can bust through to fix what was, but you get jolted, every time by the agony of everything you cannot change.

How can you stay with God in the present moment when you run back to — what was, what should have been, and what you/they didn’t do right? How can you be at peace when you keep looking at what mistakes happened there? How can you walk in hope when the past keeps convicting you? Or, because of it you blame and convict God?

Don’t look back.

Looking back makes us callous; focusing on God makes us soft.

Looking back breeds negativity; looking ahead with hope builds expectancy.

Looking back decreases hope, joy, and life; staying with God builds relationship.

Where have you been living? Your mind cannot live in two places at once.

God does have good for you in the land in which you are living. No season lasts for a lifetime. No rains continue forever. Rest assured, the new land you are going to may be different, but God will be there.

You don’t have to look back because, with God, your future is bright.

Prayer: Father, thank you that you love me, you have good for me, and you are leading me by your Holy Spirit. Give me the grace right now not to look back. I don’t want to be discouraged, downcast, or defeated anymore. Help me to stay with you. Thank you that I am receiving and believing right now the new grace to do a new thing. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom

take advantage

When I read now, I squint. I’d like to tell you it’s because the lights are dim or because I have some super seeing power when squinting, but the reality is my natural reading eyes have gone blurry, with age. Grr..

The other day I was all excited to go into a beautiful boutique (I wish you were with me, by the way). There, I hoped to find some beautiful dress or a unique handbag, but what “got me” was, completely unexpected — reading glasses.

Can I just tell you how much these glasses blessed me?! Oh. My. Goodness!!! I can see again!

There was so much I didn’t see, because I couldn’t see.

And, now, I can’t stop testing these things out.

On. Everything I need to see is crisp, clear ,and easy.
Off. Everything is blurry, distant, and undiscernible.

I can’t believe I was living that way. I forgot what it was like to see, because I couldn’t see.

Sometimes we don’t realize how much we couldn’t see, until we come to see again.

Where have you lost vision, and maybe you don’t even realize it’s fading? Where is hope languishing? Where have you given up on hope, because you figure it is hopeless? Where does someone seem too far gone for redemption?

Maybe it is within marriage; you can’t see life. Perhaps, it’s with your your current job; you hate it but don’t know where God wants you to go. Maybe a relationship seem fuzzy; you don’t know if God wants you to move on or not.

Fuzzy seeing means we need new spiritual glasses. Only God gives those, so only prayer suffices at this point. But, as we ask, He is always faithful to give wisdom.

Let’s pray:

Father, I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,[a] would give (me) “a spirit[b]of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the perception of (my) mind may be enlightened so (I) may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength.” (Eph. 1:15-19) In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Journal:
Thank God for hearing your prayer and for what wisdom He is imparting. Ask God about your situation. Discern what wisdom, truth or leading He might have you do. Wait on the Lord and trust Him that He will give you answers, leading and guidance with this fuzzy situation.

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Through the Fight, Take Flight

rest now

Are you in the fight of your life right now? Are you facing something you can’t bear? Is it hard to access wisdom because the weight is too much?

Maybe a boss is so demeaning and demanding you can’t sleep; you lost your job; your child is acting out; your past keeps coming back to haunt you; your health is deteriorating before your eyes… What is detracting joy, peace, and life?

Some of you may be turning to God in your situation and asking, Why God, why?”

Why is this happening to me? Why is the fight so hard? Why is there so much agony, so much war, so much difficulty? Why does it have to be this way?

You know, I can’t help but think of a caterpillar in a cocoon. It must fight the barrier of the cocoon before it has enough strength to actually lift off and take flight. It is the strength gained in the fight, that allows it to take flight. Only then, can it fly, like never before.

Friends, sometimes a fight is what makes us take flight.

Think of Peter, in the bible. A horrible, violent wind came up against his boat. Battering waves raged high and strong. Not only was his whole trip at risk, but so was his life. Would he make it? Suddenly, a figure emerged and he and the disciples proclaimed, “A ghost!”

But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.” Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come ahead.” (Mt. 14:27-30 MSG)

Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus…

Peter, in the midst of the fight of the storm, was provoked to take new flight. He knew — safer was he with Jesus, than alone in a rocky, stomach-sickening boat. So, stepping out of that vessel of death, Peter, in a fight of courage, took flight to walk on water.

Sometimes it is the storms we hate that become the encounters with God we soon love. They are what push us out…and into His arms. They are the pressure that causes us to do a new thing… They are the need for change that changes us and make us to fall on our knees to call out for fresh faith.

Friends, what God permitted to touch us won’t kill us, it will only drive us deeper into the arms of a loving God who wants to help us…if we let him.

Will we trust Him?

The fight is not meant to kill you; it is meant to launch you into greater faith, a supernatural life, greater meaning, stronger resolve, and larger capacity to thrive, no matter what the world throws at you. The fire isn’t there to burn you; the fire is there to get under you and to make you take flight, like a rocket ship.

Be encouraged.

The heat, the pressure, the fight — if you yield to it, it will drive you higher, deeper and wider into the depths of God’s love. You aren’t getting burned, you are getting launched higher into His love, grace and power. Trust Him. He has this!

Prayer: Father God, some days, I don’t know how I am going to make it. It is so hard. Father? Please give me the grace and power to come to you. Let me not look for ways to dull or to numb my pain, but let me bring every grain of what I am experiencing to your throne. At your throne is all the grace and mercy that I so desperately need. Today, I bring what ails, troubles and disturbs me and I leave it with you. Will you handle it today? Will you carry this for me? Show me what you want me to do and how you want me to go. I want to honor you in all my ways. I trust you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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When Communication Goes Wrong

we all want

My daughter said something that I couldn’t entirely make out from the front seat of the car. Still, I knew where she was going with this whole line of thinking. She’d talked like this 100 times, so I instinctively blurted out, “Don’t even think about doing that!”

Suddenly, there was silence. And more silence. I glanced in the rearview mirror to see what was going on. It was then, when I saw her destroyed face, that I knew I did something horribly wrong…

“Mom, did you even hear what I said?” she asked.

“Umm…” I muttered.

My heart sank. An assumption in my mind effectively trampled the goodness flowing out of her heart. She didn’t say something wrong; she was saying something good.

I’m horrible.

I’m learning that when assumption or presumption direct my conversation, it usually leads to contention. I have been guilty of this with my husband, too.

Especially, when I say things like:

You always…
You never…
I know he will…

Negative declarations over my husband, set me up to walk in presumption and assumption. Rather than giving my husband the benefit of the doubt and space to do a new thing, I put faith in an expected outcome, and offer him no space to try out a new thing. All this furthers offense and solidifies negative patterns.

We butt heads. Old cycles continue, on repeat. We both are on edge.

Ever been there? Maybe your husband does that to you. I know it hurts.

In the bible, the Pharisees were fast assumption-makers about Jesus when he cast out a demon.

“. . . they said . . . “it is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” But Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.” (Mt. 12:24-25)

To assume and presume is to fill the supernatural gap where God wants to move with our own naturally-minded nonsense. It’s like bridging a gap with icky gum, rather than allowing God to construct his bridge of solid rock, so we can effectively cross over into a new way of being and going.

Carnally-minded, non-grace giving words, tear down not only things of the Lord and passages to new ways of going, but also, our very own houses.

“A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.” (Prov. 14:1)

God shows us another way to breakthrough:
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Eph. 4:29)

What would it look like for you to extend grace before the recipient even deserves it? How might that change the face of your relationship?

If you want more wisdom, strength and practical help for your marriage, join the “Help My Marriage Workshop” this Thursday (tomorrow), December 14th live or via recording.

Gain strength for your marriage, as well as:
1. Practical strategies to believe God when everything looks dark and dim.
2. Breakthrough testimonies and stories to help you persevere.
3. Prayer strategy that defeats the devil’s schemes.
4. Ways to set up boundaries that safeguard your heart and your children.
5. Prayer and encouragement.

Sign up today.

Prayer: Father, I repent of believing lies. Help me to see those around me through your eyes of love. Let me believe the best, instead of rashly thinking the worst. Give me grace to have hope in every relationship. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Just a Word From God Can Change it All

trust

One word from God has the power to change: everything.

I’m serious. And, one word from God has the power to change: everything in your life.

The question is – will we allow His Word to change us? Will we make space enough for our mind to receive His Word as our word? Or, will the busyness of life, the distractions of the internet, the hustle of the day’s routine, the worries and cares of today — crowd it out?

This morning, I flipped open the bible. I don’t know how I landed on this exact page, at this exact time, other than it being God’s doing, but there I was – staring face-to-face with words that had real power to change my entire relationship with my kids.

These words from God came as a direct answer to what was only a hope and possibly a prayer. The words were:

“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 AMPC)

Friends, I have a horrible bad-habit… I tend to believe the worst about family members, before I believe the best. I tend to think they have done something wrong, before I offer them the benefit of the doubt. I tend to speak judgment before extending grace or understanding their why.

I just react! I don’t hope in all circumstances, I point out what is wrong. I respond emotionally, in many cases.

Why do I do this? Perhaps, it was because of a message that came through to me as a child: “Kelly, you can’t trust anyone!”

But, this is not God’s message to me – so it has to go!

What messages came to you, as a child, that have to go?

The Word of God speaks loud and bold redirection. This morning, it said to me, “Kelly, believe the best,” and you will see your relationships change.

God’s Word has all power to transform our lives – if we let it, if I own it, receive it, make room for it, understand it, dwell on it, yield to it and seize it. The Word of God discerns the thoughts and intentions of heart (Heb 4:12). It radically divides soul and spirit. It bridges the gap between our bad habit repeated over and over again and God’s Word realized in our lives.

But, many of us just get it’s message in the morning, but don’t live it in the afternoon.
Many of us connect with God only to feel worried and anxious later.
Many of us have memorized His Word, but we hardly live it.

How do we allow His truth to own us, drive us and propel us so much so that we are walking testimonies, full of Holy Spirit power for the cause of Christ?

We encounter God in His Word.

Join me for an “Encounter God in His Word” Workshop Night.

During this 1.5-hour session, you will:

1. Learn practical prayers and tips to encounter God through The Word of God.
2. Hold on to The Word of God that has the power to change your life
3. Discover how to create daily habits to put God first.
4. Glean wisdom from the Word and wield the Sword of the Spirit that demolishes strongholds.

Attend via Zoom (or get the recorded version) on Mar 16, 7:00 PM Eastern Time.

The cost is $25, which covers administrative costs and is also a blessing to Kelly & Purposeful Faith. Click here to attend.

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3 Life-Transforming Prayers + A Video From Kelly

I’ll get to the fun video from me in a minute, but before we get there, I want you to know…

When you pray the Word of God over your life, there is nothing more powerful. The Word of God is like a hammer that breaks down hindrances, barriers and blockades in your life, soul and thinking (Jer. 23:29). Not only that, but the Word of God is like a fire. It consumes impurities within you.

Praying the Word of God is life-transforming. When you pray it over your life, it makes your mind to be opened to truth, your ears to be attuned to God, your eyes to see what He wants to show you and your heart soft.

Lately, I have been praying for wisdom and understanding. Paul prayed this for the Ephesian church. After praying this prayer, I am seeing direct understanding come to me in such a way that my husband noted, “Wow, Kelly, that is wisdom. You are not usually that wise.”

I agree. I am not that wise on my own. Oh, but the Name of Jesus!!!!

Praying the Word works.

When I pray scripture over myself, I know I am praying the very heart of God. Even more, I know He wills to answer me! I absolutely, beyond a shadow of a doubt, know I receive what I pray for. Why? Because, He is faithful to His Word to perform it. I just prayed the Word!

Here are a few power prayers that you too can pray (just insert “I” or “me” in these verses:

“And I pray this, that your love may abound even more and more in knowledge and every kind of insight so that you can decide what is best, and thus be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.” (Phil. 1:9-11)

“I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you spiritual wisdom and revelation in your growing knowledge of him–since the eyes of your heart have been enlightened–so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the incomparable greatness of his power toward us who believe…”(Eph. 1:17-19)

“I pray that according to the wealth of his glory [the Father] may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, so that, because you have been rooted and grounded in love, you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and thus to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.” (Eph. 3:16-19)

There is also great wisdom in praying the promises and prayers of the Psalms. David was not afraid to cry out emotionally. Yet still, he always returned himself back to God’s love and ultimate truth. His way of praying and praising showcases a model of heart-devotion.

Things aren’t always easy, but God remains good!

On a separate note, here is a video message — from me to you!

We will be meeting for the “What’s My Calling Workshop” tonight (Thursday, Feb. 19th) at 7 PM via Zoom. If you can’t attend live, you can still sign up to receive the recorded version!

About the “What is My Calling” Workshop

During the “What is My Calling?” workshop, you will:
1. Discover the biblical power of living out your calling.
2. Gain understanding about God’s will for decisions or for your life.
3. Identify your calling or God’s direction in your life.
4. Solidify your calling and next steps or gain wisdom for hard life situations.
5. Propel forward through the power of prayer.
6. Find potential accountability partners to keep in touch with.
7. Collaborate and find support in a breakout group.

"What is My Calling?" Workshop

Thursday, Feb 9, 2023 from 7:00 PM ET - 9:00 PM ET via zoom.

**recorded version available.

$54.00

***Plus: A personal encouragement email from me! I will be praying to ask God to give me a unique verse and a prayer for each of you. I pray this blesses you immensely on your way!

Prayer: Father, thank you for your love for me. Thank you for your purposes for my life. I want to serve you, love you, and honor you with all my heart for all my life. I am so thankful for what Jesus did for me. I am blessed to be your child. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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