Joy Comes in the Morning

Take heart brethren, for no matter what temporary trials are troubling your heart today, it is in no comparison to the glorious paradise that awaits those who are in Christ Jesus.

Keep the faith...fight the good fight...give it to our Abba God...and readily receive His grace. For, His mercies are unending and everlasting! He will refresh, restore and strengthen you, according to His promises.

Be confident and unashamed, boldly approaching The Throne of Grace. And may incomprehensible, everlasting joy be yours every morning...forevermore!

2 Corinthians 4:17

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

Romans 8:18

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

1 Peter 5:10

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Colossians 3:4

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

1 Peter 4:13

But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

Titus 2:13

...while we wait for the blessed hope--the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ...

1 John 2:28

And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

1 John 3:2

Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

Stand Fast

Be courageous and transparent before God. Open up to The Lord regarding your struggles. Give the battle to Him; exchange your struggle for His strength.

Be watchful at all times. Consider the spirit behind the negative emotions and difficult situations you face. The enemy prowls around like a lion and can gain a foothold when we drift.

Put on the full armor of God. Stand boldly on Truth...steadfast and fixed on the Gospel of Jesus.

Be alert and aware of your enemy. But, know with confidence The Almighty Lord of hosts is the recipient of your prayers...the source of your hope, faith and trust.

Be strong and let your heart take courage. Wait on The Lord...and run your race with supernatural strength of endurance.

Psalm 31:24

Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the LORD.

1 Peter 5:8

Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Corinthians 15:1

Now brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, and in which you stand firm.

Galatians 5:1

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.

Ephesians 3:16

I pray that out of the riches of His glory, He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being,

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Colossians 1:11

being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have full endurance and patience, and joyfully

Ephesians 6:10

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power..

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.

Forgiveness Differs than Reconciliation

Forgiveness differs from reconciliation, as forgiveness is a personal choice to cleanse one’s heart, releasing the hurt and the violations to the Lord. 

While reconciliation involves two individuals taking accountability for their actions, admitting faults, and working towards unity and trust with each other.

Forgiveness can be accomplished without involving the other person at all. 🙏 

”So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”“

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18‬:‭29‬-‭35‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Niki Chiles

God Will Never Leave You

People who grew up in a home where the seed of rejection was planted have a difficult time trusting God.  They transfer the negative characteristics of their caregivers unto God believing that they will never measure up, are not worthy to be loved, and are convinced that God would never approve of them.

If their earthly father rejected them, or if their mother was untrustworthy, if people in authority who were supposed to love and protect them hurt them, then God will reject them and is untrustworthy. That is a lie!

God wants to replace the lies that were planted and replant the word of truth in the soil of your heart.

Get to know God's character and His immense love for you through His word. Claim God's promises for your life. The heart of your Heavenly Father is for you to know the truth so that you will be set free.

“ I have loved you with an everlasting love.” Jeremiah 31:3

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God.”

1 John 3:3-

“Moreover, I will make My dwelling among you, and My soul will not reject you.”

Leviticus 26:11

“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37-39

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Let Go and Release It

 

I know this isn’t always easy. Trust me, I know. But when we can finally realize that God has our best interest in mind, and that, He sees everything and is always doing something in whatever we are walking through, we can finally let go of trying to figure things out, worrying about the future, and the stress of trying to guess what’s next. We can let Him be God. And, friend?He wants to be. For you, and for me. So open your tiny hands, let go of what you are holding on to, and let His big hands grab hold of yours and lead you to the place He is trying to. Because He will.

“And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.” (Psalm 9:10)

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.” (Psalm 28:7)

@sarah.jean.armstrong

Cease from Anger

Anger can be overt – screaming, yelling, rage, throwing things, physical abusive, or it can be very covert– slow simmering suppressed anger beneath that surfaces occasionally.

Hidden anger is usually rooted in past childhood hurts, what lies underneath is ready to erupt at any moment much like a volcano.

For instance when someone does or says something wrong, the one with hidden and suppressed anger often overreacts, an innocent mistake may unleash a magnitude of anger out of proportion with the simple mistake.

If you have hidden anger, you may find yourself at one extreme or another – hopelessness to extreme hostility and yet be completely unaware why you are experiencing these feelings and may even be clueless to the severity of your outbursts of anger towards others and how they are being hurt emotionally in the wake of your anger.

Unresolved anger causes deep wounds in your relationships with God and others. It hurts little ones who are caught in the aftermath of a parent’s anger. Children learn that anger is an acceptable way to deal with conflict, and often take this modeled behavior into adulthood negatively impacting relationships at all levels.

This powerful emotion robs your heart of peace, joy and steals contentment from your spirit.

It’s never too late to get to the root of anger and allow God to heal your heart. A willingness to admit you have hidden anger is the first step to freedom. God is faithful to heal and restore those who come to Him for healing.

Nothing Can Separate

Absolutely nothing can separate you from God’s love.

No matter where you are, where you have been, what you have done or what's been done to you. No matter the trial, circumstances, past or present sins, failures or hurts, you are covered in His grace. You are loved!

You are not unwanted. You are chosen. You were to die for. You are not alone! You are His!

Don't let the enemy lie to you. None of those things define you. You belong to Jesus. You are a child of the living God - precious, cherished and adored!

Let the Balm of Gilead heal your heart so you can walk in victory anchored in the truth of who you are in Him.

Forgiveness Is A Priority

 

Forgiveness is a priority...it is a true expression of agape love and it honors God.

Understanding forgiveness is key and leads us to experience the fearless freedom it offers.

Forgiveness is not minimizing, excusing, or agreeing with the offense. We must see sin for what it is and recognize who the true offender is. Remember, our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual wickedness in high places...against the author of anger, fear, frustration, hurt, pain, sin and confusion.

Separating the sin from the sinner opens up our heart to forgiveness of our fellow human beings...it allows God to shed His Healing Light and Truth on the stronghold of the offense...and the darkness loses its power.

Forgiveness does not always lead to reconciliation. Jehovah IS Holy and He calls us to holiness. He also calls us to guard our hearts. There are certain relationships and circumstances that we should not expose ourselves to because they are not born of The Holy Spirit. We can forgive the offense...love and pray for the sinner...but must diligently separate ourselves from sin.

If we seek God and His truth...listen to the whisper of The Holy Spirit...He will enable us to forgive others and ourselves...lead us to the people, places and situations that He ordains, according to His purpose.

We have certainly all sinned and fall short of God's glory. But, as believers, we are to be imitators of Christ. And if we make forgiveness a priority, we will indeed experience peace, healing, wholeness and freedom...and honor Him with a clean heart.

Matthew 6:14

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Ephesians 4:32

Be kind and tender-hearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave

Colossians 3:13

Bear with each other and forgive any complaint you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Proverbs 4:23

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

.

Forgiveness Doesn’t Let Someone Off The Hook

 

It doesn’t mean it’s easy, and often, we won’t even FEEL like we want to forgive them. But it’s what frees us. It’s what releases us of the burden and allows us to move on. And if our hearts are ever struggling with letting go of the hurt, the anger, or how badly we were wronged, we need to remember the cross. We need to remember that Jesus took all that WE have done, do, and will continue to do, to the cross, so WE could be forgiven. And we didn’t deserve it either, friends. We still don’t.

I know it can be hard when we forget that. When our eyes have become more focused on what’s been done to us instead of what Jesus did for us. And if you are having a hard time, it’s just a sign you’ve maybe forgotten. But remember, friend. Remember YOU are forgiven, and it will help you to let go. Remember what God did to release you of your sin, and it will help enable you to let go. You’re not letting them off the hook, friend. Just taking them off of yours, and putting them on His. So you can be free.  

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32)

@sarah.jean.armstrong

Many Struggles Are Fought In Our Minds

 

Many struggles in life often are fought on the battlefield of our minds. That’s why James writes “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” (James 4:1). That’s why we are exhorted in God’s Word to demolish any thought that goes against what God says is true about any given situation.

We are in a Spiritual battle and need to take every stray thought captive and repent, correct it and align it with the truth of God’s Word. If someone has hurt us or wronged us, and we are having hateful thoughts towards that person, we need to take that hateful thought captive immediately so that bitterness does not take root in our hearts and defiles us. (Hebrews 12:15)

We need to stop, realize what is truth in the situation, take responsibility for our wrong actions, ask for forgiveness, acknowledge when they are wrong, understand that we cannot change another person, offer forgiveness, release them to God and choose not to hate. The victory in the battle is won when we discipline our thinking, so it focuses on thoughts that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and are praiseworthy to God. (Philippians 4:8)

Negative emotions like anger, bitterness, hate, jealousy, fear, anxiety can kill us. They are joy stealers. They suck the life out of us and hinder us from living abundant lives in Christ. The good news is that we are not powerless. God has given us a choice to meditate on life giving thoughts or thoughts that bring death in our lives and render us defeated. Choose life! Choose victory!  Make it a practice to capture every negative thought and choose to replace them with good ones which come from the truth of God’s life-giving Word.

Brokeness Is A Heart Condition

The Balm of Gilead

Brokenness is a heart condition. Jesus is the remedy...and His cure guarantees eternal life!

When we invite in The Great Physician to perform His spiritual surgery, we receive a heart healing that includes redemption, restoration, rest and peace...beside the still waters of everlasting love.

Won't you cry out to The Balm of Gilead? That He may bind and heal your wounded heart?

Psalm 30:2

O LORD my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me.

Psalm 107:20

He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.

Psalm 103:3

Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases;

Psalm 147:3

He heals the brokenhearted

And binds up their wounds.

Matthew 9:12

On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.”

1 Peter 2:24

who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

Jeremiah 8:22

Is there no balm in Gilead,

Is there no physician there?

Why then is there no recovery

For the health of the daughter of my people?

Isaiah 53:5

But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.

Cease from Anger

 

Anger can be overt – screaming, yelling, rage, throwing things, physical abusive, or it can be very covert– slow simmering suppressed anger beneath that surfaces occasionally.

While hidden anger is usually rooted in past childhood hurts, what lies underneath is ready to erupt at any moment much like a volcano.

For instance when someone does or says something wrong, the one with hidden and suppressed anger often overreacts, an innocent mistake may unleash a magnitude of anger out of proportion with the simple mistake.

If you have hidden anger, you may find yourself at one extreme or another – hopelessness to extreme hostility and yet be completely unaware why you are experiencing these feelings and may even be clueless to the severity of your outbursts of anger towards others and how they are being hurt emotionally in the wake of your anger..

Unresolved anger causes deep wounds in your relationships with God and others. It hurts little ones who are caught in the aftermath of a parent’s anger. Children learn that anger is an acceptable way to deal with conflict, and often take this modeled behavior into adulthood negatively impacting relationships at all levels.

This powerful emotion robs your heart of peace, joy and steals contentment from your spirit..

It’s never too late to get to the root of anger and allow God to heal your heart. A willingness to admit you have hidden anger is the first step to freedom. God is faithful to heal and restore those who come to Him for healing.

Repressed Grief

Have you seen someone smiling, yet within the smile you recognized sadness? Have you heard someone laughing, though you knew the heart was not healed.

Repressed grief occurs when a person has reason to grieve and needs to grieve but does not grieve.

The person with repressed grief exhibits negative lifestyle patterns but does not know why. Examples may be distancing from others, playing the clown, using mood-altering substances like alcohol or drugs, engaging in mood-altering behaviors like gambling or compulsive spending.

Only by facing the truth of your painful losses in life and by going through genuine grief will you have emotional healing.

In the bible, the Psalmists prayed this prayer....

“Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me.” Psalm 43:3

When you are ready to grieve your hurts and losses, Jesus will apply his healing balm. He is The Balm of Gilead - The Ointment that can heal your wounded heart and give you emotional healing.

The Lord Is In Your Midst

As we reflect back on the past year, and look forward to the new year, let us never lose sight that the Lord is in our midst.

He is there in the good times, the difficult times, the lean times, the times of fear and uncertainty, always reminding us through His Word that our hope is not found in what is seen but what is unseen. Our hope is in Jesus - our precious Savior. No matter the season of life - He is there!

He will walk us through every season. Even when things don’t make sense and we can’t see a way out- He is there! He brings light to the darkness, hope to the hopeless, guides, protects, provides, comforts and fills us with His love and grace. We are never alone. 

So let’s enter into the new year with confidence trusting that whatever the year brings - The Lord is there! 

 Hallelujah!!!

Happy New Year friends. 

Grief

🌿🌱 Grief is paralyzing, it’s mundane. For me, it’s constantly feeling lost. I wish I could confess that all is well but, I believe vulnerability is power. 

We are all meant to grieve in this life. Whether death, heartbreak, change, fear: all of these can produce grief within us. We grieve because eternity is etched into our souls. 

Whatever you grieve today, Jesus longs for you to see Him grieving there beside you. We are not alone. 🌱🌿

“So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews‬ ‭4:14-16‬ ‭

Brooke Ballard