dtloveenemies
Jan 27 2012

A Resolution to Love More

I don’t make New Year’s resolutions anymore because I really don’t stick to them. Instead for the past couple of years I have taken a look back over the ending year and thanked God for all that He has done in my life. Then I ask Him to help me stay close to Him in the coming year. My heart’s desire is to keep my eyes on Him. I know  if I do that, everything else will fall into its place. (Matthew 6:33)

This year however, I decided to set one New Year’s resolution for 2012—to learn to love more. When I thought about loving more I had my husband, kids, friends, church, and family in mind. I did not for a second think about loving those who would challenge my resolution to love; the sandpaper people in my life who rub me the wrong way with their lies, accusations, hating, slander, betrayal, and criticism.

The start of 2012 has been a challenging year already. I have been used, abused, betrayed, lied to, accused, hurt, and slandered. Loving has been challenged for sure. My resolution to love is being well-tried. Can we as Christians really love in the face of persecution and betrayal? Can we love when others are unloving to us? How?

I am quickly discovering that the only way to grow in love is to actually be put in, or allowed in situations where our commitment to love is tested and tried. It’s easy to love someone back when they are being nice, caring, understanding, respectful, and faithful. When people are rude, mean, selfish, self-centered, and unfaithful, however, it’s not so easy.

About a week ago I was reminded by a dear woman of God to pray for my enemies. I have to learn to love them in-spite of their ugliness. I searched out the Word of God and found, Luke 6:27-36. Take a few minutes and read these verses. I will share the verses that really spoke to me.

“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. (verses 27-28)

“If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them!  And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! (verses 32-33)

“Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. (verses 35-36)

That is a lot to take in. Love our enemies. Pray for them. Pray for those who hurt us. Be compassionate because our Father is compassionate.

Thank God for the Holy Spirit that lives in His children because it will have to be by His strength and empowering that I am going to walk this out when I have been so hurt. But His Word promises that we CAN do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us. So here I go; not by my own might, nor by my own power, but by His Spirit. (Philippians 4:13, Zechariah 4:6)

Then the Spirit of our Lord reminded me that I have been forgiven much, so I must forgive others much. I need to make allowance for others faults. I need to be quick to forgive, but that I also need wisdom in my relationships; accepting the fruit of repentance as a means of reconciliation. At the same time, I need to understand that not all relationships will be immediately restored. I need to trust God in the midst of those losses.

In the month since making my resolution to love more, I have suffered great loss and experienced severe stress, persecution, and betrayal. I realize it is only by giving others the same grace, mercy, and forgiveness that Christ has given me, that I can truly walk in love with everyone—friend or foe.  This is not of myself. It is truly done by the grace of God. Thank God for that!

In closing, I leave you with the verses that God always brings me back to. Colossians 3:12-14:

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.”

house-on-rock-011
Jan 16 2012

Count It All Joy

Have you ever have a such a stressful week that you wonder how you haven’t had a complete break down; a week where you feel like you just keep getting hit with trials, problems, and drama at every turn? That’s the type of week that I have had. My heart and mind have been overwhelmed by emotions. I have been fighting off terrible spirits of condemnation and heaviness. If it weren’t for God’s mercy and grace I would have been consumed by now by my emotions and by the lies of the enemy. Thank you Jesus He has given me eyes to see Him in the middle of this storm. (Lamentations 3:21-26)

His Word has been rising up in my heart comforting me, confirming the truth, and directing my steps. I feel like He has poured out an extra measure of grace and faith that has been supernaturally sustaining me. I have been in awe this whole week because I feel like I have experienced His grace in a new way. Jesus told a story that comes to my heart; it’s found in Matthew 7:24-27.

  “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

The winds are blowing and beating on my house for sure but I am NOT falling apart because of the Word of God that is in my heart. In fact I have a divine reassurance that the Spirit of God IS taking everything that is happening right now and turning it for the good of those in involved; and for His glory. I know that He IS faithful to see me through no matter what I face in this world. I am confident in Him and the Spirit that He has put inside of me; so when the rains descend and the floods come I won’t fall apart, I won’t crumble under the pressure.

Sure I will cry and hurt. I will go through different emotions; sadness, anger, etc. However I have found that I CAN count it all joy even while we are having troubles because I know Who my hope is in. I know on Whose promises I stand. My joy and confidence comes from KNOWING THIS…God is faithful. So I don’t need to know how everything is going to work, even though I want to know; I just need to know that it IS going to work out and in the end I will be stronger in my faith. I will be a stronger witness because I stood on the Rock.

So if you are reading this and you feel completely overwhelmed and you feel like giving up, DON’T. Throw yourself at God’s feet, receive His mercy and grace; allow Him to strengthen you. He does not expect us to face our trials on our own, that is why He has given us His Holy Spirit and His Word. They will sustain us in these times. Rely on them.

This is when you have to learn to stand in the face of whatever it is that you are going through. Realize that these trials will build your faith muscles. Allow these tests to help you grow strong in your dependence and faith in Christ Jesus. You will learn endurance, patience, and steadfastness by choosing not to throw in the towel. Be thankful, even in the midst of the storms of life. Focus on your blessings. Focus on what you do have and not on what you don’t have. (Philippians 1:28)

I heard Joyce Meyers say something like this”

“We get spiritual growth during our hard times. In our good times we enjoy the growth we got in the hard times.”

So take a step back for a second; take a deep breath, now exhale and allow God to renew your strength. Be filled with His peace. Be filled with hope. I leave you with these verses,

“Always be joyful . Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances , for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

grace2
Jan 5 2012

My Grace Is Enough For You

Recently I was preparing an article for publishing on WeUsed2bu and I was proof reading one of the posts. The girl writing in to the counselor wrote in her comment, ‘I want to be a really strong Christian, but I struggle.’ When I read this I thought about how many of us have been there with that same thought. I know that I have, especially when I was younger in my faith but also when I feel completely overwhelmed by temptation and testing, when I fall short and miss the mark, when I feel offended or hurt and become angry. Her honest confession inspired me to write this post to encourage anyone who has ever had this same thought.

As I grow in my faith and as I renew my mind with God’s Word I see more and more that our strength as Christians has to come from leaning on and relying on Him daily; trusting Him moment by moment and struggle to struggle. We have to learn to allow ourselves to overcome in this world not by our own power or might, but by the power of the Holy Spirit and by his grace and mercy. (Zechariah 4:6) Look at what the Apostle Paul says here to the Corinthians:

“But by the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not [found to be] for nothing (fruitless and without effect). In fact, I worked harder than all of them [the apostles], though it was not really I, but the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God which was with me.” - 1 Corinthians 15:10 – Amplified Bible (Emphasis mine)

Paul knew it was God’s grace working through him that gave him everything he needed to fulfill his calling, to do all the good things God planned for him. It was God’s grace that sustained him in the face of trouble, calamity, persecution, hunger, destitution, danger, and even when threatened with death.  God’s favor and blessing, His mercy and grace are with us also. In fact He loves us so much and He is so faithful that His mercies never cease. In fact they are new every morning. We don’t have to live off of yesterday’s mercy and grace because today his mercies are fresh. I love how Lamentations chapter 3 says it;

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” (Emphasis mine)

Of course we are going to have struggles and troubles in this world. We are going to fight temptation and battle moments of weakness in our flesh, but thank God we have grace covering us. When, by faith, we received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we received God’s grace FOREVER, not as an excuse to sin but as the power by which we can live victorious Christian lives here in this world. (Romans 5:1-2) I love how Kay Arthur said it in her book, ‘Lord, I Need Grace to Make It Today’;

“His grace covers our past and equips us for the future.”

So we have God’s grace and mercy covering us and we have the Holy Spirit empowering us, giving us the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you and me. It is the Spirit of God living within us that will enable us to be more than conquerors. (Philippians 2:13, Romans 8:11)

In closing the words that Paul wrote thru the Spirit in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 comes to my heart reminding me that we don’t have to try to be perfect cookie cutter Christians who act like they have it all together. We can be exactly what we are; people saved by the grace of God, walking in the Spirit by the grace of God, overcoming by the power of the Spirit of God in us, accepting and depending on  God’s grace and mercy to fulfill our callings daily. His grace is enough for us.

May the Spirit of God allow these final verses that I’m sharing here to penetrate our hearts, soul, and spirit. May He bring to our remembrance the truth that His grace is all we need to be really strong Christians.

“But He said to me, ‘My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness.’ Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!

So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength).” – 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – Amplified Bible (Emphasis mine)

 

Dec 9 2011

Hot Wheels & Barbies

I got this email from son’s teacher yesterday about a project that his 2nd grade class will be participating in. It so touched my heart I had to share. Here’s what his teacher wrote:

Dear Parents,

In our classroom we have been reading and discussing what we think the true spirit of the “Winter” holidays are. The students and I have agreed that family and faith are the most important and that giving is indeed better than receiving. After much discussion we started talking about what we could do to give back to others this holiday season. One of my students suggested doing something for kids who are sick and in hospitals during the holidays. So I told my students my story with my son and they all agreed that we should do the toy drive in our class. We also discussed how else we could help those kids and we came up with the idea of raising funds to donate to Saint Jude’s to use for cancer research.

In short I am going to tell you my story and share with you all the ideas we came up with to make the above possible. Our class wishes to thank all of those in advance that will help make this short project a success for all children.

A few years ago my two year old son Jesse was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma (cancer of the muscle tissue). My family and I learned a lot about the life of cancer patients and their families. We had great doctors and nurses at Texas Oncology and got to know the caring staff so well. Children with cancer make weekly doctor visits that are never filled with much fun. They always result in pokes, pulling of skin, and sometimes the dreaded unplanned hospital stay. The staff did everything they could to make the patients happy and comfortable. They often gave stuffed animals to the kids after unpleasant visits or before being admitted for treatment. On one such visit, the doctor came in and offered Jesse a stuffed animal. Jesse looked at the doctor and said, “Doctor Goldman, I am a little boy and I like cars. Do you have any cars?” Doctor Goldman went to look and returned with the response,” I am sorry Jesse, but we do not have any cars.” Jesse responded “well you need to get some.”

My husband told this story to the students in his class and one boy said, “We need to get some cars for the doctor to give to the boys.” Then one girl asked, “What about the little girls? Some don’t play with cars.” The students then decided the girls should get some Barbie Dolls for the girl patients. Long story short the students started bringing in Hot Wheels and Barbies for the kids at the Texas Oncology office and thus Hot Wheels and Barbies were born in honor of my son, Jesse Mooney.

Jesse went into the hospital December 4, 2007. His cancer had returned. We spent 47 days in the hospital. The Hot Wheels and Barbies arrived just before Christmas. Before the doctors came to pick up the toys, Jesse took three cars to his friend Dillon who was finishing a two week treatment of antibiotics. We also met Samantha. She, like Jesse, was going to be spending Christmas in the hospital. Samantha had not smiled once for anyone the whole two weeks she had been there. Until, Jesse took her one of the Barbies. Dillon started bringing his cars to the hospital when he had to stay. His grandfather said Dillon would not leave without them. Samantha asked about Jesse every time she came to the hospital.

Then on March 11, 2008, Jesse went to the doctor for the final time. We were admitted and told that the cancer had consumed one of his lungs and that the other was partially covered. Jesse never regained consciousness after he came out of surgery. Samantha came to visit him on March 12. She held Jesse’s hand and gave it a kiss before she left. Dillon came and placed a car Jesse had given him beside Jesse and told me that it needed to go with Jesse to heaven. On Jesse’s final evening, March 13, he was surrounded by family and friends while his favorite movie, Cars, played in the background.

You see those small tokens; Hot Wheels and Barbies help provide those bits of happiness needed to help those that have cancer live the daily fight. My class and I wish to thank all of those who participate in this toy drive that helps keep Jesse’s memory alive.

After Jesse’s passing and through those years of exhaustive research
we found that his type of cancer was not widely researched and studied. Saint Jude’s was the only place that was beginning to study his type of cancer and was trying to develop new treatment plans. So my family and I began to donate every year to their foundation in our son’s name so that maybe one day those children will have a fighting chance for survival.

In short our class has pledged to at least bring in one Hot Wheel or Barbie or both by Friday the 16th to donate to the doctor’s office. We are also collecting pledges to donate to Saint Jude’s on December 16th. Your child will have an envelope in which you will need to help them write the person’s name who wants to donate and how much they are willing to donate to the foundation. Then on December 14th our class will participate in an 8 min. marathon of solving addition and subtraction math facts. After that each child will bring home the number of problems completed and collect their pledges and turn them in to me on Friday December 16th and we will donate our pledges to Saint Jude’s. It is important to remember that you can pledge a flat donation or an amount per completed problem.
Many thanks and please let me know if you have any questions,

Mrs. Mooney and Class
———–

If you would like to help Mrs. Mooney’s class by donating a Barbie or Hot Wheel or both to the kids at Saint Jude’s please ship your toy to:

Rueben Johnson Elementary
Attn:Mrs. Mooney 2nd Grade Class
3400 Ash Lane
McKinney, Tx. 75070

If even it does not make it to them by the 16th. It’s ok. They will make sure that it gets to the kids.

If you would like to donate financially. Please contact Mrs. Mooney directly for more information, emooney@mckinneyisd.net .

Thank you for helping us keep little Jesse’s memory alive.


Oct 29 2011

Christians Arguing Over Halloween :(

I recently participated in a conversation on FB about whether or not Christians should celebrate Halloween. After much prayer, research of the origins of Halloween, research of what it means today to witches and pagan, and most of all confirmation from God’s Word, my husband and I decided that we would not have our family participate in the celebration of Halloween. This is our choice. (For more on the research I’ve done on Halloween and what I have to say about the question, ‘Should Christians celebrate Halloween?’ follow this link http://consecratedtohim.blogspot.com/2009/10/should-christians-celebrate-halloween.html . Here are also some conversations on the subject from WeUsed2bu Ministries – http://www.weusedtobeyou.com/category/common-subjects/halloween/)

The debate on FB got offensive. I saw other Christians verbally attack and insult one another because they had different view points on whether we as believers should celebrate Halloween. At one point one honest sister shared that she questioned if her Christian friends and even the ministry that posted the original comment were truly Christians. This broke my heart. The founder of the ministry that posted the thread is a beautiful woman of God. She loves the young women she ministers to and has a sincere love for our Savior Jesus Christ. Her ministry helps many young women all over the world and is a light in the darkness of cyberspace.

I just felt the need after seeing this series of posts last night to encourage and challenge you to, whether or not you choose to celebrate Halloween, when someone asks you why you do or don’t be ready to tell them, BUT do it in a gentle and respectful way.” (1 Peter 3:15) This is the instruction the Spirit of God has given us through the apostle Peter. We are not supposed to get involved in foolish arguments that just provoke fights amongst us. Don’t argue with your Christian brothers and sisters who have different views about non-salvation issues. Don’t try to be the Holy Spirit in peoples lives. Share your perspective, listen to their perspective and then if you don’t agree, it’s ok to agree to disagree, move on from the conversation before contention arises and someone gets offended.

I know that in our hearts when we share why we believe the way we do we want others to see the Truth that God has revealed to us, but when we share our revelations aggressively and disrespectfully we do not win the person over. We cause the other person to feel attacked and judged because they don’t believe the same way that we do. The Truth of the matter is that God’s Word clearly says,

“All things are legitimate [permissible--and we are free to do anything we please], but not all things are helpful (expedient, profitable, and wholesome). All things are legitimate, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life].” – 1 Corinthians 10:23.

Each of has to pray and seek God in His Word about whether or not HE would have us participate in the celebration of Halloween. It is His Spirit that leads us into all Truth. We have His Word that is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

We can not force our views on each other. We can only share what the Spirit of God has shown us in a gentle and respectful way. It is not our job to reveal Truth, that is the Holy Spirit’s job. Are job is to love one another no matter what. Are we loving one another when we think less of each because we do or don’t celebrate Halloween?

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” – John 13:34-35


Oct 22 2011

Allow His Love To Embrace You

Recently a very special woman of God and dear friend sent me a sweet little card. It was just a note to remind me of how much I am loved by her and by our God. It is not uncommon of her to send me little words of encouragement from time to time. She has faithfully sent them to me for some 15 years now. It never ceases to amaze me that when she sends them they are always right on time with a word that I need to hear for a situation that I am facing at that time.

I know it is our Heavenly Father that put it on her heart to send me this little love note because it came on a day that I would totally miss the mark. I mean I messed up big time. That’s right I’m am one of those imperfect Christians. I am fully aware that as long as I’m here in this world living in this flesh of mine that I will fall short. I know that I can become a slave to whatever I choose to obey, sin or God. So when I fall short I try to quickly confess my shortcomings to God, repent, and then I try to receive His forgiveness. However often times first I go through an awful battle with a spirit of condemnation, guilt, and shame that attacks my mind. That’s where I was at when I felt led to reread her note. Part of my dear friend’s note read:

God bless you my Lisa and always keep you safe, full of peace and joy!
Romans 8:35-39

The Holy Spirit knew that I would feel down on myself that evening for my shortcomings. My peace and joy were gone. He knew condemnation would try to fling its nasty accusations and put downs at me. He did not want me to sit in a pile of ‘woe is me’ dung. He made sure that card made it to me right on time. He wanted me to know that NO MATTER WHAT my Heavenly Father loves me. He wanted me to know that He saw and He knew what I would do, but that Jesus is on my side sticking up for me. He loves me regardless of my shortcomings. He believes in me no matter what others have to say. No matter what I do, or don’t do, nothing I can ever face in this world will EVER separate me from the love of God, NOTHING.

So He had her send this note to me with Romans 8:35-39 written in it knowing that I would search out His Word. I read it and I have been so encouraged in my heart ever since by these verses that I have read plenty of times. This time though I felt led to read them out of the Message Bible. I would like to share these verse with you now:

So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:
They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.
We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.
None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us. – Romans 8:35-39 – The Message (MSG) -emphasis mine

Isn’t that just beautiful? He loves us!! He loves us NO MATTER WHAT! Thank you Jesus!

I want to encourage whoever is reading this to allow these verses to get down deep in your heart. I pray that the Holy Spirit would give us power to really understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His is love is for us. May we experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to fully understand. Then we will be made complete with the fullness of life and power that comes from God. (Ephesians 3:18-19)

We need to remember that God is not some far away being. He is near to us. He cares about every detail of our lives. Even though we will face troubles in this world, that does not mean that He has abandoned us. He has given us His Spirit to help us get through and overcome in any situation, in any circumstance. No problem is too big for Him to solve. He has given us His Spirit to help us to forgive ourselves and others. Yes even our accusers, persecutors, or haters. The same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in us and helps us to love the unlovely, to share the same mercy and grace that we have been given, to continue to do good and believe even when we feel we just can’t any more. He helps us not to give up. It is His love that comforts us and gives us hope, confirmation, direction, and encouragement.

He is not mad at us. He hates to see us hurt. He hates to see us fall for the traps that the demonic spirits set for us. He hates to see us being led by our flesh, instead of by His Spirit because He wants to see us walk victoriously. He wants to see us live life abundantly, free from the bondage of our sin nature.

This card confirms to my heart that He loves us and does not give up on us even when we fall short. He does not give us the silent treatment or lose hope in us.

Let us open our eyes and allow even creation to testify to the love of God. Let us look at how He has blessed us today. Look at how we are still alive today because He still has a plan and a purpose for us here. He is NOT done with us yet. Mediate on His love and realize that His love is what has really set us free. We don’t have to sit in a pile of condemnation when we fall short. Let us instead be humbly sorry for our sins and run to His throne room for help and mercy. He will be faithful to give it to us. Then let us turn away from what is causing us to stumble. He will help us to overcome whatever it is that is trying to overtake us.

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13

Let’s choose to endure and let’s choose to let him continue the good work that He has started in us. He is not finished with us yet. His love will help us grow and change daily. Allow His love to embrace you.


Aug 4 2011

Remember All The Wonderful Things That God Has Already Done

Part 2 of Supernatural Perfect Peace In The Middle Of Life’s Storms

“O LORD my God, you have performed many wonders for us.
Your plans for us are too numerous to list.
You have no equal.
If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds,
I would never come to the end of them.” – Psalm 40:5 – (NLT)

I believe another component to obtaining that perfect peace is to remember all the wonderful things that God has already done in our lives, in the lives around us, and of course we should remember the wonderful miracles and stories of deliverance in the bible.

When we allow ourselves to remember how faithful God is we will be encouraged in our hearts. Faith will rise up in us. We will begin to feel confident that our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We will have a knowing deep inside that He delivered us then and He will deliver us again. He brought us through then and He will bring us through again. He sustained us then and He will sustain us now. (Hebrews 13:8)

When we allow ourselves to mediate on the wonders and the miracles He has already done in and around our lives, we begin to find ourselves assured that He will get us through this situation also. We may not know how. We may not know when. But we are sure that He is faithful to His promise to never leave or forsake us! (Hebrews 13:5)

“He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles.” – Job 5:9 – (NLT)

Take some time out and really get in the Word. Read about these stories of deliverance. There are countless stories in His Word that will bless your heart and give you a revelation of the God we serve. Stories like:

• God’s faithful servant Daniel who was thrown in the lion’s den for worshipping God even when a decree was made that no one was to worship any other man or God except for the king for 30 days. The next morning after he was sentenced to the lion’s den the king who cared for Daniel goes out to check on him. He found that because Daniel had trusted in God, he was alive and did not have one scratch on him. God’s angel had closed the mouths of the lions. Daniel was removed from the lion’s den. His haters that tricked the king in to implementing that decree got thrown in to the den instead. (Daniel 6)

• Then there’s Daniel’s friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who were thrown in a blazing furnace because they refused to bow down and worship a gold statue that the king had erected. The furnace was heated 7 times hotter than usual and they were thrown in bound, but they were not alone in there. There was a fourth person in there that the king said, ‘looks like a god’. The king called for them to come out of the fire. When they came out of that fire they were not burn, not even a hair on their head was singed, and their clothing didn’t even smell of smoke. (Daniel 2-3)

• One of my personal favorite stories is the story about Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers. Even though he was in slavery God gave him favor no matter what situation came against him. He ended up in prison but then God lifted him out of prison and set him in a place of honor, second in command to the Pharaoh. He helped prepare the country for a terrible famine. His high position saved his family from that famine. God turned what his brothers meant for evil for good. (Genesis 37-50)

• What about Jesus raising His friend Lazarus from the dead after four days of being dead and in his tomb. Jesus revealed that He is the Resurrection and The Life. (John 11)

These are wonderful stories of deliverance! God is still in the business of delivering his people and giving them favor. He is still in the business of resurrecting dead situations. Just think back over your own life and allow the Holy Spirit to remind you of times where God did some wonderful miracle or act of deliverance. Don’t minimize it. Don’t justify it with rationalization. Allow those times to be exactly what they are; one of God’s countless miracles in your life.

“Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles. His faithful love endures forever.” – Psalm 136:4

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Now give him thanks! Lift up your hands in worship and thank Him for everything He’s doing in your life, regardless if you understand it or not. Thank Him for being so faithful to take care for you. Don’t allow your emotions to rule you. Allow yourself to hope and believe. Fall in love with his faithfulness. Allow this confident hope in His faithfulness to fill your heart with that perfect peace that comes from believing His promises and trusting in Him. He will never fail you! (Psalm 134:2, Isaiah 55:8)


May 26 2011

To The Parents of the Prodigal Children

Earlier this month we celebrated Mother’s Day. Usually my Mother’s Day is full of love, peace, and joy. My husband and children go out of their way to make this day special for me. This past Mother’s Day however was full of sadness, hurt, and confusion as one of my teenagers chose that weekend to make some seriously selfish and dangerous choices. My husband and I spent this last Mother’s Day weekend crying and praying for our wayward child.

By the end of that weekend when things had settled down some I felt the Holy Spirit showing me that I wasn’t the only mom crying for her child this Mother’s Day. He reminded me of the other mother’s of prodigal children everywhere who’s situations are terribly worse than ours. This past Mother’s Day weekend the heavens were full of our prayers and tears.

I was filled with compassion and moved to write a word of encouragement to the praying parents of the prodigal children. I believe this is what the Holy Spirit is saying to us in this season:


“Don’t give up praying for your children. Don’t give up believing that God can and will find them where ever they are in whatever situation they are in. Keep believing that the seed of God’s Word that you have spoken into your child’s life will not return void. It will produce fruit and it will prosper, just continue to wait patiently. (Isaiah 55:11)

Hold fast to God’s promises that He has put on your heart. You know the words that He has spoken directly to your heart and shown you in His Word, hold on to them. They will prove true!

There will be times where you feel like throwing in the towel. Don’t give up because just at the right time you will reap your harvest of blessings IF you continue to do good and do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)

Beware of the words you speak. Your tongue will bring life or death to your situation so speak wisely. Don’t speak out loud words of defeat over your child’s circumstances. Speak words of life and power. Speak words of deliverance and restoration over your child’s life. (Proverbs 18:21)

During this season draw even closer to God and He will draw closer to you. He will sustain you in this battle. He will renew your strength when you feel weak and encourage your heart with His living Word.

Do not allow your heart to be hardened by the trials that you are facing with your children. If you allow your heart to be hardened and you allow bitterness to take root in your heart you will never enter God’s peace. His peace is what will protect your mind and heart as you think on His Word and promises, so do not harden your hearts to his voice. Allow Him to comfort, correct, and encourage you. (Hebrews 4, Philippians 4:8-9)

Stop blaming yourself. The tormenting condemnation that will come against you is not from the Holy Spirit. It is a tool of the enemy to keep you feeling bogged down with destructive emotions. Your child has free will and has allowed the enemy to deceive them. Pray for the veil to be removed from their eyes. Trust that at just the right time, God’s time, the Holy Spirit will open their eyes and ears to hear the Truth and they will be set free.

This is a season that you will have to walk by faith and not by sight more than ever. The more you pray and seek God, the more He will increase your faith.

Finally remember that this is a battle that needs to be waged in the spiritual so stay on your knees. Pray constantly. Praise and thank God in the middle of this storm. Your praise and worship will be the weapons that will tear down strongholds. “


Apr 21 2011

Soul Surfer- A True Story of Faith

A couple of weeks ago I finished reading the book Soul Surfer, A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board by Bethany Hamilton. I also recently saw the motion picture Soul Surfer based on Bethany’s story. I personally liked the book better because it had more faith-filled and motivating quotes from Bethany. However both were very inspiring.

For those who have not heard the story of Bethany Hamilton, Bethany is a twenty-one year old pro-surfer. But she is no ordinary surfer. You see Bethany is a survivor of a shark attack. When she was thirteen years old she was out surfing with her best friend and a fourteen foot shark attacked her. The attack left Bethany with a severed arm. Bethany did not allow that shark to take away her dream of becoming a professional surfer. Less than a month after getting out of the hospital Bethany was back in the water determined to surf again.

As I read her book I was so moved by her faith and determination. She was only 13 years old and her confidence and hope in God was so strong. Her outlook on what has happened to her causes me to look at my own life and my problems and say to myself, “Lisa, God has a plan and a purpose for allowing all of this, keep trusting Him.”

I want to share some quotes with you from her book and I pray that they inspire, challenge, and encourage your heart.


Page 91: But for me, knowing that God loves me and that He has a plan for my life that no shark can take away is like having solid rock underneath me. Look, lots of bad stuff happens to people. That’s life. And here’s my advice: don’t put all your hope and faith into something that could suddenly and easily disappear. And honestly, that’s almost anything. The only thing that will never go away, that will never fail you, is your faith in God…

Page 92: But most of all, I have a relationship with Christ that keeps me strong and helps me see how good can come out of a bad situation. I think the reason I haven’t gotten all bummed out about losing an arm is due to God. I think that the reason I have been able to tell my story on TV and in magazines is because God wanted other people to know that He is the rock that you can build your life on…

Page 65: I’d like to meet as many as I can and share with them my story, maybe help them work through all the fear and self-doubt. I’ve experienced it all firsthand, and I’m living proof that there’s no such thing as a handicap-it’s only in your head…

Wow! Reading these exerts again sparks faith in my heart! What a blessing and inspiration this young woman has become to so many.

No matter what we will face in this world God is for us. He has a plan to use what the enemy means to destroy us and turn it around for our good and for His glory. God took this terrible tragedy that happened to Bethany and has made her a trophy of hope. She could have given up on her dream, but she chose to fight for her destiny. She allowed herself to be empowered by Christ to do all the things that He put on her heart to do. She is a living testimony of Philippians 4:13. “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].” – Amplified Bible

Bethany was able to overcome the attack because she kept her eyes on God. She trusted Him even though she could not understand why this happened to her. She didn’t blame God. She believed in Him. She trusted Him regardless of her circumstances. Let us remember that God is no respecter of persons, if He helped her overcome, He will help us also. All we need to do is keep believing.


Mar 29 2011

What God Has Joined Together, Let No Man Separate

I was just reading on USA Today Religion’s page an article that was talking about the divorce rate among Christians. It said that the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, conducted a vast demographic study and found that Christians, like adherents of other religions, have a divorce rate of about 42%. They also claim that among religiously unaffiliated Americans the divorce rate is 50%. This is just so sad.

I have been with my husband now for 13 years this August. It is both of ours second marriage. We were both married young. We were not Christians and we lived very selfish, destructive lives that helped destroy our first marriages. Eight years ago my husband and I decided to stop playing house and get married. We agreed that if we were to make marriage vows again that it was till death do us part. We had seen what our children from our first marriages suffered and the thought of tearing apart another family was not acceptable.

So we have been determined to fight for our marriage. We have been determined to love each other through good and bad times. We have most certainly had some terrible times and we have had many more wonderful, beautiful, passionate good times. We are in a really good place right now. Thank you Jesus!

We know that we are together today because of our faith in Christ. He has been our strength. He has been our source of wisdom, forgiveness, patience, longsuffering, and perseverance. When we have wanted to give up we remember, and remind one another, that God joined us together for a reason. He has a plan and purpose for our marriage and our family. So we forgive each other for our mistakes and we make allowances for each other’s faults. We lift one another up and encourage each other to be better at being us. We have become best friends. Our marriage is not perfect but we have certainly come a long way.

I want to encourage anyone who maybe reading this who is going through many trials in their marriage and feels like giving up. Don’t give up on your marriage! No matter how long you have been praying for a change, don’t lose hope. You will see a breakthrough IF you keep praying and believing. At the darkest hours of my marriage this is the verse the Lord kept bringing up to my heart.

Galatians 6:9 “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

I have been blessed to have mighty women of God who have given me godly counsel, corrected me, challenged me, spoken truth into my marriage and encouraged me when I felt overwhelmed. God used them and the examples they set in their marriages to help push me along in mine. Today I want to share with you wisdom that I have gained about marriage.

1) Seek GODLY counsel and encouragement from people who you know love the Lord, understand the covenant of marriage, and will speak life into your marriage. Don’t share your marital problems with friends or family who will talk bad about your spouse or your marriage. You may also want to consider getting counsel from a pastor or Christian counselor. (Proverbs 12:5, Proverbs 19:20)

2) Never stop praying. Pray alone. Pray with your spouse. Pray even when you’re mad, especially when you’re mad, cry out to God. Pour out your heart and then go to His Word and read and listen to what He is speaking to your heart. He WILL comfort you and give you hope. You just have to choose to receive it! (1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 55:22, Psalm 119:114,76,50)

3) Be willing to change. Seek God about how you can change and be a better spouse. Don’t focus so much on your spouse’s issues and what they aren’t doing right. Trust God to deal with them. It is not for us to do the Holy Spirit’s job.

4) Give grace, be merciful and quick to forgive. When you are unforgiving bitterness will take root in your heart. (Hebrews 12:15) You will become overwhelmed with resentment and it will corrupt your marriage. Let things go! Don’t throw past failures in your spouse’s face even if it just happened yesterday. Our Lord brought me to Colossians 3:12-14 to check my heart on the issue of forgiveness and mercy. It says, “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

5) Study the Word of God. Look up scriptures on marriage, divorce, anger, forgiveness, mercy, grace, and love. As you read the Word of God your mind will be renewed on these issues and the Lord will help you to change and to do what is pleasing to Him in your marriage. You can also get books on marriage and love. Here are some good one’s that I know:

Five Love Languages by Dr.Gary Chapman

Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs

Healing A Broken Marriage by Deborah Ross. (If anyone wants a free copy I have 3 left to give. Just message me below)

There are many other good books out there. These are just 3 of my favorites.

6) Focus on the good. Don’t allow yourself to mediate on all of your spouse’s imperfections. Allow God to help you see your spouse’s strengths, giftings, and potential. (Philippians 4:8)

7) Enjoy one another. Go on date nights often. It’s important to spend quality time together talking, sharing each other’s dreams and visions. My husband and I incorporated this principle into our marriage about two years ago. It has really helped keep the sparks flying. (Song of Solomon 8:6-7)

8) Last but certainly NOT least, Make love! Be quick to have make up sex. Don’t allow a lot of time to go on without making love to your spouse. Making love helps to release stress and creates a stronger bond in the marriage. (1 Corinthians 7:5)

Enclosing I leave you with this word,

“What God has joined together, let no man separate!” – Mark 10:9