Faith

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

[joi] • noun

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

Second Chance 101

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

Hope When It Hurts {pt 3}

“The Lonely Path to the Summit”

In 2 Corinthians 4:10-12, Paul summarizes all that he is facing in two phrases—he is “carrying in the body the death of Jesus,” but not without purpose, for it is “so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.” Following a suffering and rejected Savior in a fallen world will involve suffering—both because the world is fallen and because the world rejects its King. But when we suffer and choose to trust Christ through the trials we face, we are filled with His power and presence, reflecting His image to those around us.

The road of hurt is marked by hope. But we shouldn’t underestimate that this road can, at times, be lonely. It was for Jesus, and it will be for those who follow in His steps.

I have discovered within me a thankfulness for the lonely road I have been given to travel. Walking it has brought me a greater understanding of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ and to know him not only as my Savior, but my comfort, sustainer, hope, and strength. There’s something about having our worldly comforts stripped away, and company around us falling away, that allows us to begin to experience the true depth, length, and height of his love for us.

  • Jesus knows the pain of loneliness.
  • He knows the loneliness of being misunderstood,
  • the loneliness of being rejected by his own family,
  • the loneliness of praying in agony while his closest friends drifted off to sleep nearby,
  • and the loneliness of being abandoned by his Father.
  • And he did it all for you.

One day, the road will end, and it will end in the eternal city of God’s people. The loneliness of this world will be washed away in the presence of Christ.

The path is uphill, but the summit is glorious.

EXCERPT TAKEN FROM HOPE WHEN IT HURTS: BIBLICAL REFLECTIONS TO HELP YOU GRASP GOD’S PURPOSE IN YOUR SUFFERING BY KRISTEN WETHERELL & SARAH WALTON

How are you doing today, friend? What kind of ‘road’ are you traveling on right now? You need not travel alone for Jesus knows the load you carry. Have you taken it to Him? Don’t walk your journey alone. Even if everyone else around may fail us, HE WILL NEVER FAIL!

Keep the faith! The road of hurt is marked by hope…God’s hope!

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

Our Contribution

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

I Wanna Be Different

I don’t wanna hear anymore, teach me to listen
I don’t wanna see anymore, give me a vision
That you could move this heart, to be set apart
I don’t need to recognize, the man in the mirror
And I don’t wanna trade Your plan, for something familiar
I can’t waste a day, I can’t stay the same

I wanna be different
I wanna be changed
‘Til all of me is gone
And all that remains
Is a fire so bright
The whole world can see
That there’s something different
So come and be different
In me

And I dont wanna spend my life, stuck in a pattern
And I don’t wanna gain this world but lose what matters
And so I’m giving up, everything because

I wanna be different
I wanna be changed
‘Til all of me is gone
And all that remains
Is a fire so bright
The whole world can see
That there’s something different
So come and be different; oh-oh

I know, that I am far, from perfect
But through You, the cross still says, I’m worth it
So take this beating in my heart and
Come and finish what You started
When they see me, let them see You
‘Cause I just wanna be different, ye-ey

I wanna be different
I wanna be changed
‘Til all of me is gone
And all that remains
Oh is a fire so bright
The whole world can see
That there’s something different
So come and be different
I just wanna be different
So could You be different
In me

Songwriters: Micah Tyler Begnaud / Kyle Lee

Different lyrics © Music Services, Inc

YouTube Link below:
Different by Micah Tyler

This song has been burning a fire in my soul, because I want to be different. Not different for different sake, but because He is worth more than this world; more than my life.

  • I don’t want to live a mediocre life.
  • I don’t want to live in the land of familiar.
  • I don’t want to trade God’s plan for something less.
  • I don’t want to waste a day; I can’t stay the same!

I want to be HIS — all of His! If He doesn’t have all of me, He doesn’t have any of me.

I want my mortal flesh to be changed into His likeness ’til all that is seen is Christ — nothing less, so that others may see Him and know Him, His power and resurrection; this life is to short to fool around with anything less.

I want my life to count for Christ!

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

Who’s Wearing the Crown?

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

A Life that Counts

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

Whose View Do We Have?

God’s plan, God’s way, for God’s purposes…a win-win, every single time! You’d think He’d know what He’s doing! 😉 Maybe we should fall in line! 👑

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

Just Because it is so…

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

Which One are You?

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

Accountability & Failure

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

the Loving Hand of God

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

Let Go!

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

Salvation 101

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

Being a Truth Seeker

We are not going to pick on anyone today, but we have all seen the type: the “drama” queens, those who use their hurts, pasts, and somehow their futures for their advantage. They turn on the tears for sympathy, or we see the veins popping out in anger or manipulation is used to get what they want. You get my point. We have all seen it.

Maybe it’s you?

Some folks use “feelings” to drive them towards what they want their truth to be.

Sadly, but helpful to know, our human nature hasn’t changed much — we be wise to take note!

Paul described such a manner in 2 Timothy 3 about some women who were weighed down by such internal struggles that betrayed their true self. “For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the Truth” (3:6-7). Notice the last part of that verse…”always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the Truth” these women were hearers of the Word but not doers of the Word. The Word went “in one ear and out the other ear”–may that not be said of us, men or women! In Jude 1:4 it says, “For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” Oh this verse makes me so sad!

Can I ask you a question?

  • Do you accept the whole Truth of the Gospel, or just what fits into your emotional mold of convenience?

I know, this is a oucher of a question, but a vital one to realize what we are accepting.

If we are not accepting the whole Truth of the Gospel, we have dethroned God and crowned ourself, a god.

If Scripture is not your definitive authority then you claim self to be. We cannot have two Masters on the throne (Matthew 6:24).

We must be God-Truth seekers at all time, with Scripture as our guide. Scripture and nothing else should be our lifelong compass throughout this life! In the end we need to remember to stay Christ-focused and God-centered.

Jesus is the Way, The Truth, and The Life.

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

Scripture First!

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

Dig Deep

Rightly Dividing the Word

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” Paul wrote Timothy a second letter in chapter two verse fifteen; such powerful verses. Paul urged Timothy to communicate the Word of God without shame but warned him to act with all accuracy, handling with care as a mouthpiece of God to all who hear. What a God we serve! Just as Timothy had this calling, as do we! Oh, I get so excited yet quickly humbled before Him! We have a God-purpose to fulfill, my friends!

Handling God’s Word is no small task; we are to be accurate: meaning, not adding nor taking away from what God hath said or not said (Revelation 22:18-19 & Matthew 5:18) as we share, teach, and communicate the Word of God to others.

Friends, rightly dividing the Word of Truth is something we learn to do, it’s not a given once we are saved.

  • We learn to study the Word by being in the Word!
  • You must decide to take a proactive role in your walk with Christ!

Living, proclaiming a ‘Top-Down Theology’ (which means, God is the Head, I am not. God is the author that hath spoken, not me.) even to those little ones running around under toe while you wash those dishes and fold that pile of laundry, is speaking the oracle’s of God.

We must learn to interrupt the Bible ➡BIBLICALLY!! Be careful who and where you are gathering your information from. If it is not grounded in the Bible, think twice! Misinterpreting the Word can lead us to sharing false teaching or doctrines that will displease our Lord and mislead others.

The Word of God put into practice in the life of a believer is a power source the Holy Spirit can use as a tool for the Father as He reveals to us through the Word His will, but it requires wisdom, obedience, willingness, and careful study. But it is worth every second! The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth…God’s Truth!

  • Enjoy your study of His Word!!!!!
  • Study it correctly so you can share the Word correctly.
  • When those who listen, may they hear the TRUTH of the Word of God, not just a verse pulled out of context or misinterpreted doctrine because we were too lazy, selfish, or proud to rightly divide the Word of Truth. May we honor God!
  • Have fun!
  • Dig deep in Christ alone!
  • Enjoy your Savior!

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

Do you Study God’s Word?

Do you study God’s Word?

Studying the books of the Bible, yes, all 66 books, can feel overwhelming at times. Most often, we have our favorite books we run too (which is fine…I have mine), but we must be careful we do not short circuit our Bible reading or time with God. All Scripture is meant for the Christian’s nourishment and growth.

We cannot come to God’s Word like, Psalms and Ruth are sweet dessert while Numbers is like eating lima beans (yuck!!!!). The “good stuff” gets gobbled-up while the ‘other’ books get overlooked. God has given us His whole specific council to read for His reasonings –for our good; we do well to take heed, take action to all His Word and read it.

As uninteresting as we may ‘think‘ the other books may seem, don’t be so quick to pass on challenging sections of the Bible.

  • Jesus said that men and women live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, not just some of them. (Romans 15:4).
  • Seek the Father as you chew on the book of Exodus or contemplate the life of the prophet Hosea.
  • All of His Words are sweet.
  • Enjoy your God!

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

2 Corinthians 4:8-10

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