Hope Victorious

  Trusting in God’s timing can be difficult. Often when we hear a promise or word from God, we want to see instant changes and results. We love the testimonies in scripture of times when God acted “suddenly”, and circumstances were radically altered in an instant. Whether it is a situation of physical healing, emotional healing, provision, addiction, etc. we love the times where we hear of God doing an instantaneous miracle of transformation. What we don’t like nearly as much is waiting for the promise to manifest. Why does God tell us He is going to do something if it is going to take a long time before it is evident? I think there’s a strategy that is good for us and actually benefits our relationship with God. The writer of Hebrews says that followers of Jesus must demonstrate faith in order to please God.   “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.”   God will always require faith!   Waiting requires faith.   I came across this scripture today in H...

  Faith is something.             It is no small thing.             It is not nothing Faith doesn’t just lead us to something, or give us access (although it does!) But the faith,           on its own,               it is something too. Faith has its own reward.             Faith is substance.              Faith is real. When there is none – you feel the absence of it.       You feel the empty void. That frightening place of uncertainty – where questions outnumber answers 1,000 to 1 Where hope and joy are sucked out of the atmosphere by a vacuum of fear, You feel it when there is no faith.   Yes, faith is something I...

  Lisa –                            Healed: set free into glistening life I have overcome: Now I Thrive Disciple of Jesus –        I have tasted – I have seen                                    Tested and Proven: Hope that Endures                              Love has set my heart free   Wife –                    Better Lovers I Cannot Imagine Dream come True – I Love You Joyous Adventure: United in Love Forever   Mothering –         ...

Soar I set myself free Cut the ties to regret and sorrow Release myself from questions unanswered Letting go of doubts and insecurity That held me captive for so long I set myself free Liberty I will soar Winds of hope and faith Lift me higher Unhindered I dream I soar free Trust Letting go of my strong grip I am feeling the strength of you Sure and Steady I will Let Go Surrender my control to yours Faithful True Steadfast   I will rest Because I trust you To carry what I hold dear OCEAN Wave after wave Wash over me C L E A N S I N G       R E F R E S H I N G Again and Again Blowing Cooly The wind and the mist I drink in the feeling As I stand there Sun on my face Wind through my hair Mist of the surf Standing on sand W A T E R and W A V E S Surging Retreating Again and Again Wash Over Me Again

  Easter is a celebration of the power of love to transform and renew life. The ultimate miracle of life coming from death opens wide the doors of possibility: freedom from shame, love that triumphs over hate, forgiveness that sets you free, liberty from what once held you captive, beauty from ashes, hope in the midst of tragedy, and on and on. I’ve tasted the goodness of this power in my own life, experienced the wonder of being transformed and redeemed.   ·        My soul has been liberated from the bondage of depression, hopelessness, suicidal thoughts and despair. ·        Years of self-hatred and self-harm have been redeemed by love and acceptance, allowing me to be tender and accepting of myself. ·        I’m experienced radical freedom from severe claustrophobia. ·        Forgiving the young man who repeatedly raped me, transformed my life in more ...

  When I come to the end of me I find there is no end to you Your faithfulness goes on and on And on and on through all eternity Unending Love    -    Ceaseless Hope    -    Power without boundary   I find the end of me Fearful    -    Tearful    -    Alone And there I am in the mist of you Me – a dot on your timeline   I rest my ending In your eternity:    Secure    -    Purposeful    -    Anchored I find myself in your unending love Saturated and Filled Your strength invading   -    Covering    -    Overwhelming every weakness Every part of me, that I prefer to hide I rest   -    I remain Trusting   -    Anchored    -    Belonging           In you, I find I have no ending N...

  A Modern Parable The scope of this promise is huge! Paul, the writer of the book of Romans had faith for it though and he had some extreme examples of “all things” from his own life. If God could make something amazing out of the ingredients of Paul’s life, maybe there’s hope for us too! Think of the cooking reality shows where experienced cooks are competing to create amazing dishes on the spot using the main ingredients that are yet to be discovered. Each of the competitors stands behind a counter, with full access to a pantry stocked with all the spices and supplies they could think of. They also have all the kitchen tools and appliances they could ever need available. There is a time limit and the judges stand watching. In front of each chef is a large plate with the pre-selected main ingredients hidden beneath a silver dome. When the time begins, they will lift the dome and see what they will need to create their dish around. They will be surprised and will need to think...

  The parable of the good shepherd is one of my favorite passages for building faith that we can hear God’s voice. Recently as I was teaching from this passage, I gained this new perspective: I think faith was required of Jesus as well!   Jesus told this parable, found in John 10, to demonstrate the nature of relationship between Himself and people. He used the relationship between sheep and their shepherd as an analogy because this was common and familiar to His listeners. Jesus clarifies that the shepherd in this parable is “good” and He states clearly in verse 11, that He is the good shepherd in the parable.   In the beginning of the parable (verses 1-5) Jesus is talking about how there is a good shepherd, but also strangers who would not enter by the gate and the sheep will not follow the voice of the stranger. In verse 6 we see some of John’s commentary.   He says that the people weren’t understanding what Jesus was saying. So, Jesus seems to start again in ve...

  W O N D E R   I wonder IF I wonder WHEN HOW?           I wonder how… WHY?           Does it even matter? I WONDER I am learning more from asking - Than from any answer I am hearing I am a student of WONDER           Possibility                Desire                     Hope                          Awe                                  I let my mind go… I    W O N D E R       Memory   I remember The feeling of you What your eyes said when you looked at me The warmth of your hand The music of your laughter   I remember how solid and sure I was of the love that connected us Gran...