Too Funny

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

My Prayer for You…

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

Unlimited God

Thank you Lord!

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

God Said it, BUT…

God said it. Written words printed in red and black.

Life giving words.

But, does that settle it?

  • We say these words so flippedly but often we mean, “God said it, but I’ll pick what I what to follow from the Bible.”
  • Or “God said it, but I have a better answer or opinion God.”

➡Proverbs 23:6-8 says, “Do not eat the bread of a selfish man, or desire his delicacies; for as he thinks within himself, so he is. He says to you, “Eat and drink!” but his heart is not with you. You will vomit up the morsel you have eaten, and waste your compliments.” (nasb)

  • This “wicked man” also means, evil man or stingy; for he/she is like one who is inwardly calculating (Prov. 28:22).
  • As “he thinks…so he is” has the meaning of reckoning in his soul; his/her behavior, one who manipulates.
  • “Not with you” means this person (the wicked man/women) is begrudging the cost.
  • “Compliments” = don’t waste your pleasant words.

➡Psalm 114:4 says, “Do not incline my heart [consent to or tolerate] any evil thing, or to practice deeds of wickedness with men who plan and do evil; and let me not eat of their delicacies [be tempted by their gain].” (amp)

➡Proverbs 26:24-28 states,

Here are two over versions for our study:

CEB– Hateful people mislead with their lips,

  • keeping their deception within. Though they speak graciously, don’t believe them, for seven horrible things are in their heart. They may cover their hatred with trickery, but their evil will be revealed in public. Those who dig a pit will fall in it; those who roll a stone will have it turn back on them. A lying tongue hates those it crushes; a flattering mouth causes destruction.
  • AMP– He who hates, disguises it with his lips, but he stores up deceit in his heart. When he speaks graciously and kindly [to conceal his malice], do not trust him, For seven abominations are in his heart. Though his hatred covers itself with guile and deceit, His malevolence will be revealed openly before the assembly. Whoever digs a pit [for another man’s feet] will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone [up a hill to do mischief], it will come back on him. A lying tongue hates those it wounds and crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin.

Either you are this man/woman or not.

  • We could make the arguments that we all struggle with sin; that we are on this side of Glory, but are we not to be entering into His rest NOW?
  • Are we not to be becoming “holy for He is holy” NOW?
  • Are we not to transformed into newness of life, NOW?
  • Weren’t we transformed into a new creature the second we accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior?

Jesus Christ isn’t fire insurance. Jesus Christ is this life NOW and in the life to come!

  • My friend, if you are a Child of God, saved by His undeserving grace yet freely given His amazing loving grace called salvation, we are NOT to be this “wicked one.”
  • We ought not to be reigning (living) in our flesh and glorying it. This is contrary to God’s perfect law, will.

How are you doing today, believer? Who is sitting on the throne of your life? Who reigns? God has much bigger plans for you. Stop. Turn to Him and repent. Live the full life in Christ He has planned for you!

You will never regret the choice of Christ!

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

Faith Trust

  • Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].“
  • 1 Corinthians 2:5 “so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom and rhetoric of men, but on the power of God.“

  • 2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Psalm 27:13-14 “I would have despaired had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for and confidently expect the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord.”

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

Blindness Remedy

  • I came across this today and it stopped me in my tracks. Such blindness doesn’t happen over night. It is a progression of “no’s” (rejections of God’s tug on our hearts to do or not do), a decision made against the One we call, our Lord and Savior.
  • This is a warning to all of us who call Jesus, Lord.
    • To be careful.
    • To be wise.
    • Be vigilant because our advisory, the devil, is roaming this world seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).
  • Not to fear, Christ has a remedy as well:
    • Be cross-centered minded.
    • Be Christ-focused in every deed and word.
    • Be God-centered in this life, period.
    • To put on Christlikeness because we love Him so.
    • Colossians 3:17; Ephesians 5:1; 1 Corinthians 11:1; John 15:9-11; 1 Peter 2:21; Matthew 6:33.

Sin is sin. There is no getting around that. May today we choose Christ above everything. And tomorrow, choose all over again! And again. And again, until you and I see our Savior’s face in glory!

Til He comes again, have a blessed Christ-filled day, my friends!

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

One-Focus

*Credit to YouVersion for the picture

Oh Lord, may the focus of my soul, heart, and mind be to the audience of One, You! And through this One-focus may you create in me your likeness to be what you have ordained (predetermined) me to become, and live. May your spirit supercede my own.

To God be the glory and your servant, Colleen Woodruff

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

Who is worth more to you?

………..

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

The Goal of Life

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Philippians 3

Finally, my fellow believers, continue to rejoice and delight in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble for me, and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Look out for the dogs [the Judaizers, the legalists], look out for the troublemakers, look out for the false circumcision [those who claim circumcision is necessary for salvation]; 3 for we [who are born-again have been reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, set apart for His purpose and] are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory and take pride and exult in Christ Jesus and place no confidence [in what we have or who we are] in the flesh 4 though I myself might have [some grounds for] confidence in the flesh [if I were pursuing salvation by works]. If anyone else thinks that he has reason to be confident in the flesh [that is, in his own efforts to achieve salvation], I have far more: 5 circumcised when I was eight days old, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews [an exemplary Hebrew]; as to the [observance of the] Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to my zeal [for Jewish tradition], a persecutor of the church; and as to righteousness [supposed right living] which [my fellow Jews believe] is in the Law, I proved myself blameless. 7 But whatever former things were gains to me [as I thought then], these things [once regarded as advancements in merit] I have come to consider as loss [absolutely worthless] for the sake of Christ [and the purpose which He has given my life]. 8 But more than that, I count everything as loss compared to the priceless privilege and supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord [and of growing more deeply and thoroughly acquainted with Him—a joy unequaled]. For His sake I have lost everything, and I consider it all garbage, so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him [believing and relying on Him], not having any righteousness of my own derived from [my obedience to] the Law and its rituals, but [possessing] that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did]; 11 so that I may attain to the resurrection [that will raise me] from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us who are mature [pursuing spiritual perfection] should have this attitude. And if in any respect you have a different attitude, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us stay true to what we have already attained. 17 Brothers and sisters, together follow my example and observe those who live by the pattern we gave you. 18 For there are many, of whom I have often told you, and now tell you even with tears, who live as enemies of the cross of Christ [rejecting and opposing His way of salvation], 19 whose fate is destruction, whose god is their belly [their worldly appetite, their sensuality, their vanity], and whose glory is in their shame—who focus their mind on earthly and temporal things. 20 But [we are different, because] our citizenship is in heaven. And from there we eagerly await [the coming of] the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who, by exerting that power which enables Him even to subject everything to Himself, will [not only] transform [but completely refashion] our earthly bodies so that they will be like His glorious resurrected body.

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

Psalm 61

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

Where’s Goodness?

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

Christlikeness

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:1-13).

7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; 16 however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. 18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself (Philippians 3:7-21).

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

God has You, my Friend. Fear Not!

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

When Thou Prayest

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

Empowered

God created you for a specific, unique, one-of-a-kind purpose. Despite any situation you are currently facing, God purposely fashioned and ordered your steps to fulfill his dynamic plan for your life. Many individuals feel helpless when trials appear and it seems as if their circumstance or environment will never change. Be encouraged today and remember that God has final authority regarding the overall temporary conditions you experience in life. God’s ways are not our ways and it could be that God is equipping and empowering you during life’s challenges for a great work he has called you to fulfill.

When God called Gideon, it was during a severe perplexing time. The Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD and were oppressed by the Midianites, causing them to hide in dens, caves and strongholds. The Midianites and the Amalekites stole their livestock and produce leaving the Israelites’ land devastated and impoverished. Due to the circumstances the Israelites experienced, Gideon hid and privately beat wheat in the wine press to save it from the Midianites. (Judges 6)

But that’s when it happened, in the middle of a disconcerting time where everyone around Gideon suffered because of disobedience and sin, God empowered Gideon with a specific call on his life. God declared Gideon empowered in the midst of environmental unrest and personal uncertainty. God empowered Gideon to save Israel from the very ones who oppressed him and the Israelites. God chose someone who actively but privately sought progress in the middle of depressing conditions. Gideon didn’t realize who he was due to his environment, but the Angel declared him a brave man who the LORD was with! Trust that God has empowered you to fulfill his will.

God is with you and empowered you mighty one of valor!


Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, Thank you for empowering me to fulfill the plans you have for my life. I thank you for strengthening and equipping me to do great works. I choose to believe what your Word says about me and I praise you that I’m not defined by my circumstances. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

Devotional source by Empowered by Kennetra A. Bryant

  • Psalm 37:23
  • Isaiah 55:8

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

Remember G.R.I.E.F.

Grief has many faces.

Our first response, if asked, “what brings on grief?”many of us would respond with the answer ‘the death of a loved one or the loss of a friend.’ These answers most definitely cause the cycle of grief in one’s life, but did you know that grief can be caused by other situations or circumstances?

Other forms:

  • Moving — it has been said that 3 close moves equal 1 death.
  • Change — this form comes in many different scenarios.
  • Rejection — by family, friends or self (lies, deceit)
  • Sorrow — the grief so deep no words can describe.
  • Loss — loss comes in different forms as well, not just death.

We have seen, gone through and have recently done through such heartaches, and I would like to share something the Lord has been teaching me through the pain and healing.

Remember in Grief:

G God is good! – even in your darkest hour. God is good because He is unchanging, therefore, His goodness never ceases. He is working for your best good; it is the truest display and most deepest act of love there is, for it never ends. The life you may know right now may not “feel” like it nor “seem” like it, but there is never a time when God cannot be faithful to you, cannot love you, cannot comfort you, for He always has your best interest in mind. Blessed are you who keep Him first and love Him with a pure whole heart. So, in the crash course of hardness, when you reach that beyond ability of difficulty or simply just can’t, or don’t understand – make that choice to believe in the goodness of the Lord in that land of the living, for He loves you beyond measure and has never left you—NEVER!

R Refresh yourself! – There is only one source, the Word of God that can and will refresh your soul. At first, in your time of grief, it may seem “unfulfilling” or you may find your mind not comprehending (this is normal) but be constant – keep to the Word of God for this is what your soul truly needs above all things! The Word of God is where you will find comfort, strength, healing, where you will find the ability to accomplish and endure anything that will come because God is with you—it is your life line. Make the choice to immerse your heart, your soul, your mind in the Word of God every hour if you have too. To choose Christ in your grief is a choose that you will never regret, it is a choice that is literally out of this world –but one that you must decide to choose. Trust His words for that is the only thing that is unchanging around you…He is unchangeable.

I I am not alone! –Isolation is deadly. This is key to remember, but please do not confuse the difference between isolation and solitude. We are desperately in need of daily personal time of “solitude” with God. This is a fact. This personal “solitude” time with God is a personal time to feast on His Word, to spend time on our knees personally before God, hiding God’s Word in our hearts, this is all good, this is not what we are talking about here.

Isolation is not solitude. Do not allow others to wall you off from the “rest of the world” nor allow yourself to be brought into the path of “seclusion”—this include: yourself, the family of God, destructive relationship companions, and from those who truly love you—this is not physically healthy to your body nor is it spiritually healing to your soul. Isolation kills! You are never, ever alone regardless of the why you may “feel.” Our Lord said to us, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” and that was a promise –and if you didn’t know, God never breaks His promises! God is unchangeable. He has never broken a promise, therefore, He is not going to start with you! We were not created to be isolationist.

E Equipped in Jesus Christ! –Upon the day of your salvation you were immediately indwelled by the Holy Spirit. He is alive and well within you—He is willing, eager, ready and waiting to be listened too. You are resourced, powered, equipped because of Christ in you! You are enabled, but the Father will not grow you against your will. You have to choose! Daily choose to live in the Spirit, tap into that source God has enabled you with, His strength, and hold on and don’t let go. Do not doubt. You are complete in Him!

F Future is coming! —Yes, it will come! Regardless of how you “feel” today, joy does come in the morning. Whatever holds today—how life around is perceived (remember, perception is not always right, including ours) or even the truest reality and intensity of life; remember who holds the future. God is God and we are not! God holds the future, God sees our whole life, we only see now. We have been given a life-mission. Our purpose is not without hope, not without direction, not without purpose. Our hope is founded, it is sure in Christ (when we know Him as Savior), thus firmly rooted in the unchangeable Great I AM! Submission is not our enemy, trusting the future-holder (God) is where life begins, trust is not a bad wrong when it is linked to God. When God is sitting on the throne of our life it relieves our man-made stress and worries of life—for He is in His rightful place and we in ours! Joy will come in the morning. Trust His voice.

My friend, remember G.R.I.E.F.

  • Whatever your grief may be: perhaps the loss of a loved one (family or friend) or maybe it is finding yourself like Job where life’s circumstances aren’t looking so swell around you (by the way—major life events: like moving, change in job, etc. are included in one’s grief/sorrow/loss). G.R.I.E.F. is for everyone.

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

*Copyrights for G.R.I.E.F. belong to Colleen Woodruff @ http://www.inchristiamshe.com
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Strength

Do you Believe in Miracle?

  • …and God made the miracle of You!
  • In Psalm 139, it says we are fearfully and wonderfully made, that God formed us (knit us, fashioned us) in our mother’s womb — His hands were the master Creator.
  • Shine my friend! For you are just as much of a miracle as our blue planet that circles around a ball of fire next to a moon that moves the sea. 👑

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

The Call to Obey is Worth it!

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

Kintsukuroi

You ask, what is Kintsukuroi?

Gold filled pot

The Japanese art of Kintsugi, or Kintsukuroi, repairs broken pottery with seams of gold or silver. This repairs the brokenness in a way that makes the object even more beautiful than it was prior to being broken.

The Process:

  • This first healing spot is always near the base, which is the strongest piece left after being broken.
  • Just like the ancient Japanese ceramic repair tradition, we carefully stand the largest broken piece in sand. Piece by piece we mend the ceramic and allow to dry. This time consuming process is critical and necessary for proper binding.
  • After all the pieces are in place, we accentuate the cracks and smooth them out. The final step is to fill the seams with gold flaked paint. Just like the human race, no two are alike.

What a symbolism of what Christ sees in us. What Christ can do in us…if we are only, but willing.

  • The pottery doesn’t fight back. It doesn’t reject its maker or handler, it simply allows. Allows itself to go through the process of time, pain, and rebuilding.
  • The pottery is actively conforming, be handled, shaped, filled into its usability.

Like the broken or cracked pottery, it is when we surrender “our pieces” to God then He can take our pieces, center us, put us together (ever so gently), then fill us in with Himself (His Word, which is purest gold) to be more beautiful than we began. The end results are more glorious than we can imagine.

  • How humbly shocking this thought is: God loves us that much; loves us much that He, Himself, will handle us personally –every detail.

My friend, are you grasping onto pieces of your life that only God should be holding? Caring for? Healing? Rebuilding? Filling in with Himself (gold)?

  • Let Him have them.
  • However “your pieces” came to become part of you, those pieces don’t scare God. His love for you hasn’t changed. God cares about your soul…you!
  • Allowing God to have “your pieces” fulfills His ability to complete His masterpiece in you! No one else can fulfill it, only you can! That’s the beauty…Christ in You. He is the only true filler.
  • As a child of God, you have a God-mission that only you can complete. Will you let Him create? Will you complete your mission?
  • You can through Him! Don’t allow “pieces” to stop you.
  • Allow Him to fill you and come forth as gold.

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}