Tag - #grace

Handling People Who Keep Hurting You

October 16, 2024

I sent her a text. I waited days for a response. Finally, a somewhat monotone sounding voice-text would come through, perhaps asking me a question. A month later, something similar would happen again. Two months after, I’d do it all over. Usually, an “I’m-sorry-I’m-busy” reply would show up from the recipient. The first time this happened, that kind of reply made sense. The fifth time? Not as much.

Overlooking offense, like an excited puppy, I kept ignoring her repeatable pattern. After all, I love this woman; I really do. I care for her a lot and have wonderful memories with her. So, I overlooked the fact that she kept pushing me off, that she was not honoring my time, and that she was often replying in a distant monotone voice. Add that to the fact that, after I listened to her message and quickly replied back with my own heart-wide-open response…

…I got no response back from her. Dead air. Silence.

That is hard. Why do I keep subjecting myself to this?

This morning I woke up with a question that hit like a brick: “What am I, a fool?”

To keep repeating the same cycles to one’s own injury is foolish. To keep subjecting oneself, like an indebted servant, to someone else’s passive-aggressiveness is foolish.

“As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness.” (Pr. 26:11)

Why do I keep partaking in the foolishness of winning this woman over when she’s making it clear as day that she’s not interested?

I’m like a fool returning to its idiotic folly. But, why? Why do I return? Why do I keep seeking to win over people who don’t want me?

During my prayer time, I sought the Lord. “God, why do I act like a fool, continually subjecting myself to repeated pain?”

I felt the answer come clear as day, “Kelly, you believe what they are doing is a proclamation or a reflection of who you are. You have to fix that, or else…”

I understood then and there that I feel I have to change them to feel good — about me. I have to win them over. I have to make them love me. I have to stick with them until I am worthy so I feel worthy. I have to make sure they see me as a something so I don’t have to feel like a nothing. I have to make sure they never treat me as impersonal or distant, lest I be unwanted.

Wow. When did I allow man’s words and actions to have more power than God’s Word and actions? When did I give man so much power over me? When did I lose the calling of God to make my mission to win over the affection of man?

Ick. Jesus didn’t do this.

Jesus went to the cross, despite man’s criticism of Him as the Son of God. He carried on with His mission despite the condemnation about how He healed on the Sabbath. Jesus remembered He was the Son of God, despite the name-calling He experienced. But, imagine? What if Jesus allowed other people’s actions to define Him? He likely would not have fulfilled HIs destiny — crucifixion, resurrection, and salvation for all the believers in the entire world. We cannot look at man! But, do we?

Have we given in to man’s words in such a way that we have subtly given up on God’s cause? Have we become a slave to winning people over more than trusting Jesus who won all freedom on the cross? Have we become a victim to a slave master who tells us we have to fix people in order to be loved or to be happy?
God gives us another way. It is:

Forget what they say!
Forget what they do!
People’s actions are no proclamation over you!
For it is God — who speaks over you!

You are wanted!
Chosen!
Called!
Forgiven.
Empowered by grace!
Equipped for every good work!
Valuable.
Wanted.
Loved.

Today is the line-in-the-sand day when we:

Forget all the foolishness! If that person doesn’t love you, want you or choose you — so what?! That’s not your issue, that’s their issue! God still loves you, wants you and chooses you.

Even more, He is lining up new relationships and new horizons that will speak volumes over those old hurts. Hope again. He has good things for you.

You are His special child. He cares so greatly for you that you don’t have to go chasing after people who keep hurting you.

Prayer: Father, I forgive those who keep hurting me. I also ask you to forgive me for serving and catering to man over you. Forgive me for making a mission out of trying to win people over. I release and surrender these people to you. I serve You and Your will first and foremost. I repent of subjecting myself to continual hurt when You haven’t called me to. I come under Your truth about me (I am loved, wanted, called, helped, not left as an orphan), more than I absorb other people’s words and actions as proclamations of my worth. I am loved and adored. Please help me to know this and help me to be more and more in love with You. May Your love fill every hole in my heart. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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

Do you Look Foolish Trusting God?

September 20, 2024

purposefulfaith

faith, hope, Love & Health

1 Comment

What looks like foolishness to man can actually be radical obedience to God.

“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise…” (1 Cor. 1:27 NIV)

Friends, in the swoop of a two-week span, we packed up all our home goods, sold our furniture, and moved by faith to a new area.

I know some may call us “hasty”. I am aware that by natural eyes it looks foolish; it was so quick. However, after prayer and seeking, I know this move is of the Lord.

I know it is of the Lord even though bedbugs awaited us at our first Airbnb (Ick! We got out of there fast!).

I know it is of the Lord even though the first school we put our kids in was a complete bomb and we had to disenroll them on the first day.

I know it is of the Lord even though we can’t yet find a home to settle in.

I know it is of the Lord even though we are traveling around towns, praying and seeking, with stuff packed in the back of two vehicles.

God never said faith would be easy. God never said faith has everything all together. God never said faith looks neat and tidy, easy or simple. God said to go and do it anyway.

“Take nothing for your journey,” he instructed them. “Don’t take a walking stick, a traveler’s bag, food, money, or even a change of clothes.” (Lk. 9:3 NLT)

God’s grace steps in as we step out. As we step out on the water to walk, grace empowers our steps in the miraculous. It doesn’t always feel good though. We may do it weak. We may do it scared. Friends, still do it.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor. 12:9-10)

God never said we wouldn’t be tried; He made it clear we would come out as gold, to His glory!

“These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” (1 Pet. 1:7)

We are proven as gold, and trials purify us by fire — to His glory!

My friends? I think it is important for us faith-full followers to know — our faith is still working out its perfect end! It doesn’t matter what it looks like. It doesn’t matter how hard it feels. It doesn’t matter how opposed it looks. Jesus was opposed and kept walking.

So, don’t give up. I’m not! We will find a great school for the kids. We will land in the right home (pray for us!!!). Most of all, we will be positioned in the ideal will of the Lord, in the place where He wants us to be for such an hour as this. It will be good. He makes all things beautiful in His time. Until then, faith can feel hard. Extreme. Outside of the understanding of others. But, does it please the Lord? Always.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God…” (Heb. 11:6)

Prayer: Father, help me not to judge, in fear, what I have done, in faith. Keep me strong in faith regarding the decisions I have made. Give me strength, endurance, and perseverance to carry on. May all I do be to your glory. May all I walk out be done with love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control, no matter how hard it is! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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

The Snare When We Compare…

July 8, 2024

purposefulfaith

Comparing, faith, hope

Add comment

I didn’t like my house. My house was a townhouse. My friend’s lived in actual houses. My house was a rented house. My friends’ houses were owned. I couldn’t paint my walls. I couldn’t move a wall if I wanted to. They could.

Rather than seeing what I did have, I saw all that I didn’t have – when I looked at all my friends had.

Because I compared, I found myself ensnared in defeat and self-pity.

Ever been there? Maybe you can’t understand why life is so hard for you? Why God hasn’t given you more? Why your friend continually has jaw-dropping opportunities open before her? Why it’s been so hard with your health and so easy for others? Why everyone online is so happy and you are not. Why your lot is troubled?

The grass is always greener on the other side, you think. I understand, my friend, I’ve been there too…

I remember, one day, I literally stared at my yard. There was no grass on that rented plot of land. The shrubs were droopy. The ground was dark and dry mud. I didn’t like it. Ick.

Day after day, I felt a little annoyed at that land as I rushed out the front door to go wherever I was going…

But, one day, rather than continually look at what I hated, I decided to rise up and to make my land beautiful. God inspired me! Hope welled up in me. He was giving me vision.

I went to the nursery and bought a whole bunch of beautiful plants. In time, they would bloom! I would have something to enjoy! There was something good actually coming for me at my house.

“Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.” (Ec. 3:11)

What might God still be beautifying in your life? How can you powerfully take a small action to plant a seed that might grow into something beautiful (ex: send a card of love to a hard relationship, start a new hobby, etc.)? What joy and thanks might return to your heart if you stop comparing your lot against others and start thanking God for what you do have?

After those plants were planted, and time was given for them to bloom, I saw that God gave me something good! Everything didn’t have to be so bad after all! God really does make all things beautiful in HIS TIME.

Joy gives thanks (not only for what we have, but for the beauty that is coming)!!

Prayer: Father, rather than counting and tallying all that we do not have, give us eyes and a heart to see all that we do have, in You. Help us to be thankful. Help us to take action where we have ability. Help us not to be powerless, but powerful in you. We love you. We thank you that you are making all things beautiful in Your time. You are always faithful. We love you. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Exciting News! Friends, I launched a podcast. It is named, “Hear God’s Voice.” New podcast episodes release every week. Listen today!

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

Where You Can Hide When You’re Afraid

June 14, 2024

purposefulfaith

awe, faith, hope, peace, Speaking Truth, The World, truth

Add comment

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.

Are You Waiting on God?

March 7, 2024

purposefulfaith

faith, hope, No Fear

Add comment

The text read: “When you get off the plane there will be a cheering committee waiting for you!”

Wow, now that’s a thought, and quite a picture, for that matter. I wish there was a cheering committee everywhere I went. Wouldn’t that be fun?

I knew, though, this was a unique time. I was the last one to arrive to a specific city amongst a group of other women who got there earlier. They were waiting for me. My plane arrived an hour or so later. When I got there, we would all jet off in a rental car. It was kind of them to wait for me. They didn’t have to. I could have ridden solo.

But they did. Their waiting honored me. It valued me. It showed me they trusted that my plane would arrive and that we would all absolutely make our way, together.

Waiting, in large part, is trusting. It is faith that says: this person is coming. And I trust them to do that.

When we wait on God, we trust Him. When we say He will show up even though His timing feels a day past due, we honor Him. When we say, absolutely He will arrive, we value His character of faithfulness.

There is only one thing God can be: faithful.

He may show up in a different way than we think. Just as I may show up and look different than these new friends expected – or I may have to make them wait a little more at the luggage carousel – sometimes God shows up differently.

He is the Maker of Heaven and Earth; He has every right to do this.

Either way, we can bank on this: His plan is the absolute best for us!

What would it look like for us to wait with joy? With anticipation? With thankfulness?

Indeed, God is coming! Always, Jesus shows up! Victory can’t be taken from Him!

“Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.” (Isa 40:31)

This verse is true because while waiting feels excruciating, the joy of His coming is exhilarating.

“Take heart! Christ has overcome the world!” (Jo 16:33) He not only has the whole world in His hands, but also what you are waiting for!

Prayer: Father, you have a good plan for me. Your timing is perfect. I ask you to give me the strength to wait and to trust you. I ask that I can wait in a way where I am full of joy, praise and hope. I want to honor you with all my heart, mind, and soul. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

When You are Waiting on God

January 17, 2024

purposefulfaith

faith, fear, hope

Add comment

Riding in the car, flustered, I called out to God, “Why, God, why? Why does it seem there is a hold back to my life? Why are the dreams of my heart not yet happening? Why have I asked but not received? Why don’t you give me what I need? You own everything!”

I launched out some prayerful questions and let them hang in the air, and then mindlessly continued to drive. My mind trailed off…

Soon, I was thinking of my kids… Frankly, when they ask for anything my first instinct is to give it to them! You want ice cream? Of course. You love that new toy? I’ll get it for you. You want to go somewhere today? I’ll take you there.

My first instinct is to give everything.

Then it hit me — God’s first instinct is to give me everything. He wants to give. He loves to give even more than I do!

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Mt. 7:11)

Yet, there are only two reasons I hold back from my kids:

1. Because I have something better for them later than what they want now.
For instance: I may not buy them a pack of candy at the store, because I baked them a whole key lime pie, with whipped cream on the top, for them to enjoy later.

2. Because my “no” now paves a way for them to receive a million better yeses later.
For example: I may take away tv or video games until they learn the attitude of gratitude, because I know it is that very attitude that will open job opportunities, friendships, connections, doorways and blessings that will far surpass a momentary game.

God wants to give to us not just what is best for our “now”, but rather, what is best for the million little opportunities he has set up on the road called “life”. God, in all-knowing power, is willing to sacrifice short-term happiness for long-term, sustained gain. Why? Because: 1. He loves us that much. 2. He wants us to partake in a full-fledged buffet, more than a measly snack 3. He is developing character that can carry what He wants to give.

Waiting is preparing us to walk in His greater glory, His greater gifts, with the right attitude, in a way that He gets all the glory. God’s timing is perfect.

Prayer: Father, I admit to you, sometimes I don’t understand. Sometimes I can’t comprehend why things happen as they do, however I trust you. I trust your timing. I trust your teaching. I trust your leading. I trust your power at work in my waiting. I ask you to help me to lean on you in the gap of what I want and what I have not yet seen. You are working there. You are not done yet. I ask you to come and complete the good work that you have begun in me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

When Communication Goes Wrong

December 13, 2023

purposefulfaith

awe, faith, grace, hope

Add comment

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.

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.

Dealing with a Frustrating Spouse

December 5, 2023

purposefulfaith

attack, Contentment, devil, fear

Add comment

A premarital counselor once talked to me about marriage…

He said, “Have you ever considered how each spouse thinks they load the dishes into the dishwasher the ‘right way’? It is right because it is what they know and it is what they learned. Their way is right. The other way is wrong.”

How we grew up — is right.
How we learned to think about things — is right.
How we process or communicate things — is right.

But, is our way the absolute right way, or can dishes (or thoughts, communication, and habits) have different variations?

This is often the rub in marriage. No one wants to change. Both are set on their own way.

Insanity is doing the same thing over and expecting people to change. Insanity repeats the same words, does the same thing (because it seems right), and is horribly aggravated when patterns remain the same.

Insanity makes one angry and bitter.

What about you? Are you angry? Do you feel bitter inside? Are you repeating patterns? Do you try to do what is right, yet find yourself in communication battles that go all wrong? Is your spouse driving you nuts?

Dissension and frustration make one raise walls of self-protection that hinder deep connection.

Scripture says, “A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.” (Prov. 18:19)

Surely, we can break these patterns and relational triggers. While we can’t force our spouse’s walls down or their heart to change, we can manage our own heart, reactions, and words. And, by doing this, effect a ton of change. We are not powerless. We have power to preserve peace, to communicate with power, and to find radical joy even when the going is extremely tough.

Peace can be found through our actions and thoughts, even if theirs never change.

I am holding a “Help, for my Marriage (& Family Relationships)” Workshop. I want to invite you. Not only will this workshop support you, but it will help keep Purposeful Faith strong and going. Spouses are welcome to come, but not required at all to attend.

The “Help, for My Marriage (& Family Relationships)” Workshop will include:

1. Detailed ways to walk in wisdom in a hard situation.
2. Strength that helps you stay hidden in Christ and wise in words.
3. Practical strategies to believe God when everything looks dark and dim.
4. Breakthrough testimonies and stories.
5. Prayer strategy that defeats the devil’s schemes.
6. Ways to set up boundaries that safeguard your heart and your children.
7. Prayer and encouragement.

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!
Register here: “Help, for my Marriage (& Family Relationships)” Workshop
December 14, 2023 at 6:00 ET via Zoom.
*Recording available.
$25.00

Don’t give up faith.

Prayer: Father, I thank you that you have all that I need for righteousness and godliness in Christ Jesus. Father, I thank you that I am not waiting for others in order to have life, and life more abundantly — but that I already have it now. I ask you to empower me to change what I can change and to give me the grace to let go of what I cannot change. Empower me with love. In Jesus’ name.

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

Help for Marriages!

November 29, 2023

purposefulfaith

Contentment

Add comment

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

purposefulfaith

faith, hope, Jesus

Add comment

“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.