It just doesn't get any better than Jesus Christ.
The very best of the best of the best. The perfect most wonderful person ever; our wonderful, merciful, just Lord. His love is the most, His healing is the most, everything about Him is the most.
There isn't a word that can capture His greatness & His perfection. He is perfectly holy & pure, He is the Christ, the Lamb of God who washed away the sins of this world & brought new life to those that would believe.
What a wonderful Savior, so full of love. The One who paid our debt before we ever knew we owed it. Oh, what a wonderful Lord who made a way for us to be connected. The One who made a way for the dead to become alive, for the lost to be found & the sick to be healed.
Jesus, wonderful Jesus..there's nobody like Him!
& He loves YOU!
Friday, March 25, 2016
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
feelings & facts
"The most treacherous thing is to live by feelings." Leonard Ravenhill
I can't tell you how many people I've told this too in the last week. It seems like feelings are trying to take over everyone lately.
Yes, feelings are real. Yes, feelings are strong. Yes, feelings are part of us, but that doesn't mean that they are always right. It doesn't matter if your whole self is screaming that something is true, it can still be wrong. The facts are our friends, whether our feelings agree with them or not.
Let me tell you some facts:
God formed you. You weren't just an accident or even a scientific happening. You were specifically formed by a loving Father who put effort into you & has a vision for who you are to be.
Psalm 139:13-16
You have a God-given purpose. You aren't on this earth to just exist, you are here to carry the Spirit & power of God to those around you. You are the temple of the Most High God, & a vessel that He wants to flow through.
1 Corinthians 6:19 & Jeremiah 29:11
You have power. It's not your own power, but it's the power of the Almighty God that lives in you. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead, the same power that heals & delivers, & the same power that tramples on serpents & scorpions.
Ephesians 3:20-21
You have peace. Meditate in His Word & on Him, and you will have peace because He said it was so.
Isaiah 26:3
The pressure of this world does not own you. It's way of thinking does not run you. That is why we must renew our minds to the Word of God. We cannot run with the truth if we do not know what it is, and by "know" I mean believe & have a firm grasp on. The tighter our hold on God & His word, the less grip this world will have on us.
We are not of this world, we live above it & we shine bright in it. Thank God that He has delivered us from the "cause & effect" laws of this world. There is no "cause" or "effect" that can change the truth of His Word in our lives.
I can't tell you how many people I've told this too in the last week. It seems like feelings are trying to take over everyone lately.
Yes, feelings are real. Yes, feelings are strong. Yes, feelings are part of us, but that doesn't mean that they are always right. It doesn't matter if your whole self is screaming that something is true, it can still be wrong. The facts are our friends, whether our feelings agree with them or not.
Let me tell you some facts:
God formed you. You weren't just an accident or even a scientific happening. You were specifically formed by a loving Father who put effort into you & has a vision for who you are to be.
Psalm 139:13-16
You have a God-given purpose. You aren't on this earth to just exist, you are here to carry the Spirit & power of God to those around you. You are the temple of the Most High God, & a vessel that He wants to flow through.
1 Corinthians 6:19 & Jeremiah 29:11
You have power. It's not your own power, but it's the power of the Almighty God that lives in you. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead, the same power that heals & delivers, & the same power that tramples on serpents & scorpions.
Ephesians 3:20-21
You have peace. Meditate in His Word & on Him, and you will have peace because He said it was so.
Isaiah 26:3
The pressure of this world does not own you. It's way of thinking does not run you. That is why we must renew our minds to the Word of God. We cannot run with the truth if we do not know what it is, and by "know" I mean believe & have a firm grasp on. The tighter our hold on God & His word, the less grip this world will have on us.
We are not of this world, we live above it & we shine bright in it. Thank God that He has delivered us from the "cause & effect" laws of this world. There is no "cause" or "effect" that can change the truth of His Word in our lives.
Monday, January 18, 2016
"comfort food"
They don't call it "comfort food" for nothing...
It's the beginning of the new year & the time when my church does "The Daniel Fast."
It's a glorious, somewhat terrifying 21 days of eating only fruits, veggies & whole grains while we purpose to spend more time with God in our daily lives. We're basically setting the tone for the new year & letting our flesh know that it's not the boss.
It's always a time that reveals a lot about your character, desires & motivations.
This year I couldn't believe how much emotional stock I put in food. Really it should not have come as a surprise looking back, but the cold-turkey dismissal of all things sweet, savory, greasy, yummy & satisfying was a shock to my system. & I came to understand some things.
1. Food releases pleasure & can bring a false sense of comfort/healing, as can entertainment, shopping, & the list goes on. The issue isn't the food, it's your heart. If you turn to food every time you're feeling emotional, you'll become an emotional eater & you'll be caught in a cycle. If however you turn to God in those moments, you become healed. That's a major difference!
2. Laziness will destroy you. Not only will it cause you to gain weight (both physical & emotional), it will keep you out of your promise land & begin to skew the truth of the Word of God in your eyes. Rather than living an active life of faith, you begin to say things like, "tithing doesn't work," or "healing isn't for today" because you don't see them happening.
Somehow in church life I got it into my brain that if I just existed in this Christian life all the good things that God promised would automatically happen for me & none of the bad things in life would ever happen to me. But the Bible says that faith without works is dead - that means I need to do something. It's not about earning God promises, it's about living a life that shows you believe Him. Faith engages God, acknowledges that He is present & then takes the step that He asks of it. Whether that step is sharing your faith, praying for the sick, believing through tragedy, dancing in worship or giving your last $10 in the offering.
Don't let life make you lazy! Don't run to anything else for comfort, it doesn't have the power to heal you. Run your race! Run to God, run with faith, it is not as hard as your flesh wants you to believe.
You don't just sit at the table & expect the food to get in your stomach! You gotta pick up the fork & chew...it's not hard to do, but it makes all the difference.
-Amie
It's the beginning of the new year & the time when my church does "The Daniel Fast."
It's a glorious, somewhat terrifying 21 days of eating only fruits, veggies & whole grains while we purpose to spend more time with God in our daily lives. We're basically setting the tone for the new year & letting our flesh know that it's not the boss.
It's always a time that reveals a lot about your character, desires & motivations.
This year I couldn't believe how much emotional stock I put in food. Really it should not have come as a surprise looking back, but the cold-turkey dismissal of all things sweet, savory, greasy, yummy & satisfying was a shock to my system. & I came to understand some things.
1. Food releases pleasure & can bring a false sense of comfort/healing, as can entertainment, shopping, & the list goes on. The issue isn't the food, it's your heart. If you turn to food every time you're feeling emotional, you'll become an emotional eater & you'll be caught in a cycle. If however you turn to God in those moments, you become healed. That's a major difference!
2. Laziness will destroy you. Not only will it cause you to gain weight (both physical & emotional), it will keep you out of your promise land & begin to skew the truth of the Word of God in your eyes. Rather than living an active life of faith, you begin to say things like, "tithing doesn't work," or "healing isn't for today" because you don't see them happening.
Somehow in church life I got it into my brain that if I just existed in this Christian life all the good things that God promised would automatically happen for me & none of the bad things in life would ever happen to me. But the Bible says that faith without works is dead - that means I need to do something. It's not about earning God promises, it's about living a life that shows you believe Him. Faith engages God, acknowledges that He is present & then takes the step that He asks of it. Whether that step is sharing your faith, praying for the sick, believing through tragedy, dancing in worship or giving your last $10 in the offering.
Don't let life make you lazy! Don't run to anything else for comfort, it doesn't have the power to heal you. Run your race! Run to God, run with faith, it is not as hard as your flesh wants you to believe.
You don't just sit at the table & expect the food to get in your stomach! You gotta pick up the fork & chew...it's not hard to do, but it makes all the difference.
-Amie
Monday, January 4, 2016
the greatest resolution
One of the greatest resolutions you can make in 2016 is not something you DO, but rather something you THINK.
What you THINK determines what & how you DO.
One of my favorite scriptures is Philippians 4:8. It's so powerful in it's simplicity.
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
What you THINK determines what & how you DO.
One of my favorite scriptures is Philippians 4:8. It's so powerful in it's simplicity.
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
I don't know about you, but I can have a lot of thoughts run through my brain that are the very opposite of the things in this verse. & that's been especially true this last year & a half.
But guess what, we have the ability (& the commission) to change the way we think! It's time to renew our minds to the Word. We can't always control the thoughts that run through our minds, but we sure can stack the deck in our favor.
(Someone's) Mama always said: garbage in, garbage out.
If you want to start to take control of your thought life, start to take control of what your eyes see & your ears hear. Spend more time in front for the Bible than in front of the TV, internet, games, or even other books.
I'm not saying you have to cut out all non-Christian material from your life, but how bad do you want it?
It's a simple "formula."
Spend time in the Word. The Word brings faith, and as faith grows so does your thought life. It is an automatic response to the living Word. Don't leave your mind to it's own thoughts, take control of the foundation. Your mind doesn't become renewed simply by catching every bad thought that runs through it, but rather by filling it with truth & giving yourself something to fight with!
It's not a one-time-flip-a-switch-cure-all, it's a lifestyle & a life-line. God didn't leave you to battle alone. He gave you the tools & the more you use the tools, the more you realize God is bigger than the enemy we face.
Tools can't build anything while they are laying on the ground. So pick them up & start renewing your mind. It'll be the best resolution you ever made.
Monday, December 7, 2015
Oh the kindness of our God.
Oh the kindness of our God.
The faithfulness He has shown is infinite. It was His goodness that brought us to repentance, His love that cleansed us, & it is His mercy that keeps us.
In our struggle and our fight, He is rest.
In our pain, He is healing.
He is joy.
He is hope.
He is every answer to every question & He is ever faithful as we work out our salvation.
From the wobbly steps of a new Christian, to the stubborn & prideful thoughts of the aged. He is there to prune. He is there to bring us into the right places, to bring us into strength & humility. He will never stop loving you, & He will never stop growing you.
Oh the kindness of the One who took our place & Who, regardless of our failures, declares that we are His beloved.
With a love that never fails, He loves us.
With a salvation that makes us completely new, He has saved us.
Oh the kindness of our God that never gives up, never lessens, never changes. He is the One who has saved us, He is the One we are trusting with our lives. He is God & we are His,
Now let us rest in the kindness of our God.
The faithfulness He has shown is infinite. It was His goodness that brought us to repentance, His love that cleansed us, & it is His mercy that keeps us.
In our struggle and our fight, He is rest.
In our pain, He is healing.
He is joy.
He is hope.
He is every answer to every question & He is ever faithful as we work out our salvation.
From the wobbly steps of a new Christian, to the stubborn & prideful thoughts of the aged. He is there to prune. He is there to bring us into the right places, to bring us into strength & humility. He will never stop loving you, & He will never stop growing you.
Oh the kindness of the One who took our place & Who, regardless of our failures, declares that we are His beloved.
With a love that never fails, He loves us.
With a salvation that makes us completely new, He has saved us.
Oh the kindness of our God that never gives up, never lessens, never changes. He is the One who has saved us, He is the One we are trusting with our lives. He is God & we are His,
Now let us rest in the kindness of our God.
Friday, November 13, 2015
short, but encouraging
Some thoughts...
When everything falls apart, your strength will not be enough.
Lean in to Jesus.
For He is your Shield & Buckler, He is round about you.
He is the One who is strong enough & His strength never fails or wears out.
He cannot become weary or tired.
He is your constant, He is your stay.
Encourage yourself in the Lord, in His promises & in His truth,
For the joy of the Lord is your strength, not the joy that's found in life.
Life changes, God does not.
When everything falls apart, your strength will not be enough.
Lean in to Jesus.
For He is your Shield & Buckler, He is round about you.
He is the One who is strong enough & His strength never fails or wears out.
He cannot become weary or tired.
He is your constant, He is your stay.
Encourage yourself in the Lord, in His promises & in His truth,
For the joy of the Lord is your strength, not the joy that's found in life.
Life changes, God does not.
Monday, October 12, 2015
-behavior-
I'm learning more and more that kids are just little humans.
Weirdest sentence ever, right?
What I mean by that is, they need to be trained. So many of us look at a child that's acting up & automatically sum them up. We anticipate all the trouble they will have as a middle-schooler, teenager, adult...
When really they are no different than us, we've just learnt to hide our "issues" better.
We all go through different seasons in our lives. We go through rebellion, pain, stretching, happiness, excitement... our seasons are ever-changing and hopefully we are ever learning.
As parent's/adults we need to learn that the kids in our lives aren't defined by their behavior, they have time to change, & they will grow if we put in the effort & don't get discouraged. We need to learn to give children room to learn. No one comes out perfect & no one learns good behavior without guidance. A seed doesn't become an oak tree overnight. It takes water & sunlight & sometimes a rod to keep it growing straight, but eventually it's strong enough to grow right & "suddenly" it produces fruit.
Don't let your child's behavior create their definition...in your mind or in theirs. Never stop training, loving, encouraging, correcting, & instilling into them what's right.
Think about it, your parents had all the same fears & concerns you do (at least to some degree). Everyone wants to raise a good human being....you turned out ok! Trust God & His method.
Oh & just a quick note to the adults in the room...that's why we have pastors! They "never stop training, loving, encouraging, correcting, & instilling into US what's right." See... we all get to keep growing.
Weirdest sentence ever, right?
What I mean by that is, they need to be trained. So many of us look at a child that's acting up & automatically sum them up. We anticipate all the trouble they will have as a middle-schooler, teenager, adult...
When really they are no different than us, we've just learnt to hide our "issues" better.
We all go through different seasons in our lives. We go through rebellion, pain, stretching, happiness, excitement... our seasons are ever-changing and hopefully we are ever learning.
As parent's/adults we need to learn that the kids in our lives aren't defined by their behavior, they have time to change, & they will grow if we put in the effort & don't get discouraged. We need to learn to give children room to learn. No one comes out perfect & no one learns good behavior without guidance. A seed doesn't become an oak tree overnight. It takes water & sunlight & sometimes a rod to keep it growing straight, but eventually it's strong enough to grow right & "suddenly" it produces fruit.
Don't let your child's behavior create their definition...in your mind or in theirs. Never stop training, loving, encouraging, correcting, & instilling into them what's right.
Think about it, your parents had all the same fears & concerns you do (at least to some degree). Everyone wants to raise a good human being....you turned out ok! Trust God & His method.
Oh & just a quick note to the adults in the room...that's why we have pastors! They "never stop training, loving, encouraging, correcting, & instilling into US what's right." See... we all get to keep growing.
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