In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
Living complete in Christ.
Viktor Emil Frankl was a physician and psychiatrist. He survived the World War II Holocaust. His Nazi concentration camp experiences led him to wonder how any human being could maintain hope under such extreme conditions.
He came to believe that our survival depends upon finding meaning, even in desperate circumstances. Frankl proposed that we have free will to choose our attitudes, even about torture, death, and dying.
He observed that those human beings whose core spirits chose to have faith in the future and who find meaning in the moment, often found the strength and the courage to face the most difficult problems.
“We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way” (Victor Frankl. Man’s Search for Meaning, 1946).
It is when we find the “why” we want to live that we can endure almost any “how.” The “why” is our purpose.
Frankl found that people with a high purpose can find meaning even in the worst circumstances. In other words, once we have a high calling we will find a way to deal with the suffering that comes our way. If, as Frankl saw, someone decides his or her reason to live is to comfort others, then even in a concentration camp he or she will still have a reason for living.
When we lose our sense of purpose, we lose a sense that our lives mean anything; and we lose hope in the future, for there seems to be nothing worth living for.
What causes us to lose our sense of purpose?
There is, however, good news. Although we sometimes lose our sense of purpose, we can be restored to a larger sense of purpose. The Bible teaches us that we can be renewed in a life-giving purpose in the following ways:
Devotional by: Armed Services Ministry
http://www.armedservicesministry.org
In Psalm 51:10-12 David prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right and steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit.“
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
Say Hello to My Giant Slayer
Each person’s anxiety is complex and unique. But all of us have the same hope today—God is fighting for us.
Walking free from panic attacks, depression, fear, and worry is a process, one with many steps and turns. But the key to living untangled from anxiety is not a plan, but a person.
Your hope is in Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the sheep. He is the way, the truth, and the life. And he is inviting you to allow Him to lead you through whatever you are facing in this world.
God understands that we get stressed in life. Dozens of places in Scripture speak directly to anxiety, and hundreds more to fear and worry. Why? Because people have always been anxious.
Arguably the best-known text in the Bible is Psalm 23. At the core of this Psalm is an extraordinary offer from God—that He will lead and guide us through every season. Specifically, God promises to lead us through the valley of the shadow of death, that dark place where we doubt everything good and fear every possible negative outcome.
As David writes Psalm 23, he is facing life-threatening danger, but he is confident in his Shepherd. He describes it like this, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (v.4 ESV)
If so, God is offering to walk with you through this valley. He does not lead you to the valley, but He promises to lead you THROUGH it. This current place of struggle will not be the end of you. Your hope is in Jesus.
This may sound simplistic or elementary. But, in a world that has quick-fixes at every turn, we have the God of Heaven standing in front of us, offering to be our shepherd in whatever valley we find ourselves in.
Jesus is offering to lead, provide, protect, and preserve you through the darkest valleys and most imposing nights. I invite you to call on Him right now, out loud.
You may feel like God is a billion miles away. You may believe your voice won’t even get past the walls of the room you are in if you were to call on Him. But, the name of Jesus is power. Call on Him now. Tell Him you can’t see Him, but you have heard He is near. Ask Him to stop and consider the pit of depression you are in. Tell Him you want Him to lead you through the valley of anxiety. Be honest with Him and ask Him to shine light into your darkness.
You may not know how He’s going to do it, but in faith tell Him you know He can.
⬆️ Above devotional called: Putting an X Through Anxiety: a seven day journey with Louie Giglio.⬆️
Remembering our key to living untangled in this life is not our plan, a plan, or someone else’s plan, but in the loving power of Jesus Christ. He only gives us the victory.
In Christ I am SHE (Saved. Hopeful. Empowered)
Living out the Words of God require actively pursuing with all intensity to obey the One and only; having only one audience in this life.
It is not shying away from the work of the Words, but rather having a heart of gratitude that says, “I can” for God, not “I have too.”
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
We recently took a short trip up north to see some beloved family and friends. While we were there, I was reminded that our life in Christ is not a half-in half-out, genie relationship.
You are either all in or all out. Try as you may, say what you want, think what you will, but our lives display our personal decision of whose side we are really on.
You simply cannot live for Christ with the mentality that you’ll live for Him with one foot in (spiritually) and one foot out (earthly).
Some declare their position of commitment to Christ yet the lives they live display what truly lies within. They believe they can fool others, even God. Maybe their deception works for a time, but reality is this: they themselves are the fooled.
Some do not need to declare, they simply live Christ. Knowing their fallen yet forgiven state, with all their being they strive to bring glorify and obedience to God in all things (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Commitment to Christ is a non-negotiable; it just is. Period.
This believer would be the first to tell you, “I’m not perfect” yet ooze Christlikeness. They care for souls and tell others about Christ because they are sourced in Christ.
A life lived half-in and half-out is a oxymoron. You cannot have both. This is not living the life God intended for you to live as His child. If the world is calling, demanding, luring you in louder than Christ Himself, it may be time to reflect on whether you are truly born again (eternal life), truly God’s child.
Christ has no need to defend His position as God. He already is God, therefore, already deserves our worship, commitment, allegiance, faithfulness, love, etc. It is our rightful place to submit to His righteousness and holiness through worship, praise, obedience, imitation (put-on), adoration, love, and commitment.
Christ isn’t legalistic, it is we who choose to be legalistic. Men over centuries have tried, some seemingly to accomplish, but Christ, He is the same yesterday, today, and will be forever.
There is no more perfection we could make upon God’s plans.
The fight is ourselves.
Half-living doesn’t count. Half-living isn’t living.
It matters how we live today; our future will proclaim it.
“Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]. For by the grace [of God] given to me I say to everyone of you not to think more highly of himself [and of his importance and ability] than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has apportioned to each a degree of faith [and a purpose designed for service] (Romans 12:1-3 AMP).
How are you living?
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
The struggle is real!
We all struggle with some form of control.
The fact of the matter is — if you have a pulse, you struggle with control at some point in your life.
Jesus said…”I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil” (Proverbs 3:5-7).
The question is — will you continue to hold your reins and think you’ll enjoy the ride of life or take hold of God’s reins and enjoy His ride?
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
There is an abundant life we can have…but it is only found and obtained through Jesus Christ. We can live this Christ-filled abundant live — John 10:10 tells us so, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.“
So my friend,
Remember, our actions speak louder than our words — to God, to others, and to ourselves (if we are honest with ourselves). Let’s stop deceiving yourself and get living abundantly with God. God loves you!
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
I don’t know about you, but I have read over this passage many times before. Sadly, I had just seen Mary through the lenses as a “good girl” –the young, sweet, willing, obedient, submissive, yielding to the Lord’s calling in her life –the “good girl.”
In Luke 1:46-55, many call this passage “Mary’s Magnificat” but is it really, “Mary’s?”
As I read this passage today, words started popping off the pages of Scriptures. I had to stop and start again. As I began to reread the Lord started His work in my heart…”Look Colleen, See.”
When you read Luke 1:46-55, you will begin to experience the inner most depths of Mary’s heart. The intermost being of who she is –who she was. You will quickly come to realize that, for Mary, it was never about Mary, even though she was a huge part of the situation. Nothing never pointed to herself, yet everything pointed in praise to God alone by word and deed from Mary.
This kind of verbal praise can only come forth outwardly when it is brewing forth inwardly. Her relationship with Christ was already overflowing before God sent an angel, before God did anything… Mary’s outward praise was just an outflow of her inward heart.
Because of her inward heart already prepared, already in fellowship with her Lord, her focus was already aligned. Centered. She wasn’t sidetracked by herself, on the great anointing or privilege of being “chosen” by God Himself, but rather on who and how great God is!
Her focus was God alone– ALL glory, ALL praise, ALL honor –past, present and future –is and was to and for God alone. It was just that simple. There was no other thought.
*Verses referring to the God:
*Verses referring to Mary:
My thoughts on Mary today are much different. I am not putting Mary on a pedestal, but her example of godliness is well taken. If she was sitting down with us right now she’d be the first to say, “I’m no saint. But this I am –a child of God, saved by grace, in need of a Savior” with a sweet, humble spirit– I think.
I want my life to be about God.
How about You?
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
Ten years ago today (01.28.2009-01.28.2019), we stepped into the doctors office filled with immense sorrow and great hope for the future.
Exactly a week before that visit, my sweet husband’s mother entered into Heaven’s gate. She was only 67 years old.
I remember that day well. I was pregnant, 9 weeks and caring for our two little ones while my husband was at the hospital with his siblings. The call came, it was 8:35 pm “I was reading in Psalms about entering heaven and Mom entered” my husband spoke quietly.
We lost greatly that day and in the tomorrow’s that followed, but heaven gained richness filled in a woman called Marguerite Ann.
That was Tuesday, January 20, 2009.
A day and a half later, I noticed some spotting. As the next days continued our concerns grew. We made the phone call. Being 7 hours away, Mom’s viewing and funeral that Friday and Saturday, we stayed. In silence between ourselves and God, we did a lot of praying, watching, resting, and giving it to the Lord in the midst of loss, dealing with extended family, and grief.
As we sat in that office (01.28.2009) we still clung to life. By this time, the spotting was lessening. Hoping against odds we never expected to hear the next words…
“There is no baby.”
“Wait. What?
What did you just say?
How can that possibly be?”
That is impossible!
Again, those words pierced through my soul…
“There is no baby.”
We walked out of that office with a scheduled appointment in two days.
Numb.
Shocked.
Grieving.
Filled with questions.
What took place in the following days, the Lord kept us in the palm of His protective hand.
The next day included an ER trip which we were told, “I see a sack.” Hope was restored which created more questions.
Later that evening, I did not feel well. I thought maybe a shower would help. In that process, severe pain struck my body like a torpedo exploding into a battle ship. The hit was so powerful that it paralyzed me. The struggle to breathe was intensive and my body turned into a board.
We called for a sitter.
By the time we left the house for the ER, my body had calm down enough that I was able to walk out of the house. When I took that first step down off the porch my body released itself from it’s grip and I was covered in blood, and my breathing became much easier. Later we found out why this happened.
The trip to the ER we spent in prayer giving our little one to the Lord and our lives into His hands. Praying for a miracle. Praying for strength to accept His will. Praying what words could not express or speak, but Jesus Christ was our advocate and we knew it.
We saw a cold, lifeless, removed doctor turn into a compassionate, caring, patient man because of Jesus Christ. They took every concern or every care we had for our baby, for my life, and doubled, tripled checked on our behalf. For this we are incredibly thankful for.
Today, and for the past ten years now, our little one walks on streets of gold because of Jesus Christ! The assurance of eternal life through Jesus Christ is a priceless, gracious, and merciful gift from our Lord. The hope we have in Him, that one glories day we shall see Christ, our child, Mom, and others –heaven is sweeter!
God is the author of life.
We were told that if we didn’t conceive within the next year are chances for future children would drop to 12%.
A year and eight months later, we were with child with baby #4. This didn’t come without fears or learning to trust God with this child. Her name means, “God has answered” because her two older sisters prayed every night for “a baby in Mama’s belly” for a year and eight months…and GOD ANSWERED!!
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
Maybe, just maybe, if we chose to put ourself aside for just one moment to stop presupposing we knew who or what God is, but rather came before Him & His Word with simple child-like-wide-open unbias eye, untainted heart, and unskewed minds….maybe, just maybe, we would grasp His understanding of who and what HE IS for who and what HE SAYS HE IS, not what we think He is.
It would be then, that we would begin to understand the attributes of God. It would be then, that we would begin to hear, to see, to experience, to choose, to decide, to deny, to accept, to know God for God…prehaps like the very first time you met.
- Revelation 2:4-5
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopefully. Empowered.}
Measuring this earthly-life in God’s scope of eternity will change your here and now for all your eternity to come.
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
“You have to stop loving and pursuing Christ in order to sin” –there is a fear in writing or saying such words. A fear not in physically writing them or saying them for they are true; rather a fear that a hearer will only listen to their own evoking fears and guilt thus not seeing God’s love for them; therefore, not instilling a fire of love to begin within the them because they love God.
Actions that are driven by fear and guilt are not an antidote to lukewarm, selfish, comfortable living–it is LOVE!
Our relationship with Christ should never be out of duty, obligation, or slavery, but rather craved from a genuine desired love for God. We need only look no further than the cross– where God demonstrated His love for us that while we were YET sinners; Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)! God’s love hasn’t changed.
When we love we are free!
Lukewarm living and claiming Christ’s name simultaneously is utterly disgusting to God–when we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit that it isn’t very fulfilling or joyful to us, either, but the solution isn’t to TRY harder, fail, and then make bigger promises, only to fail again.
It does no good to “muster up” more love for God, or to will yourself to love Him more. When loving God becomes obligation, one of many things we have to do, we end up focusing even more on ourselves.
So what do you do? The answer lies in letting God change you! He wants to change you, He died so that we could change!
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
Hank isn’t changing. He is a cranky guy. He has been cranky his whole life, and not just about church. He does not effectively know how to love his wife, his children cannot relate to him, and He has no joy. He’s been going to church his whole life — 60 years and nobody is surprised. Nobody in the church is surprised that he stays cranky year after year. No one is particularly bothered by it. It is as if we expect it — that’s just Hank. Nobody is expecting him to be more like Jesus year after year. Yet the Bible does expect it. The writer of Hebrews offers the following challenge:
“You have been Christians a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things a beginner must learn about the Scriptures. You are like babies who drink only milk and cannot eat solid food. And a person who is living on milk isn’t very far along in the Christian Life and doesn’t know much about doing what is right” Hebrews 5:12-13 NLT
The Greek term used in the New Testament for disciple is ‘mathetes’, which simply means “learner.”
As Bill Hull has written, the wrong question for the church is: How many people are present? The right question is: What are these people like?
After people become Christians, the goal is for them not only to learn how to live like Christ, but to actually live like Christ. This involves nothing less than radical life change. If this is not happening, then discipleship is not happening, and rethinking must take place.
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
Do you know your Jesus?
Obedience.
This word means many things to different people: for some it is a scary even dirty word, while others totally disregard it in any form, while others struggle with it but do sincerely try.
“If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15).
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and (and then) all these things shall be added into you” (Matt. 6:33).
Our list isn’t finished yet…
Obedience in Christ brings freedom.
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
This was just to great not to share. I saw this on a friend’s Facebook page today and I died laughing. Oh how good laughter is to the soul {Proverbs 17:22}.
See…NAPS ARE BIBLICAL! Aren’t we to be putting-on Christ? 🤗
Hope you have a smile on your face! Have a blessed day friend,
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
