She Chooses

Does our relationship with Christ have anything to do with love? Should we strive to experience God’s Love deeper?

The answer to both of these questions is, "YES!" This world is tired of surface level faith. We want a faith that's more then a mouth piece, we want a faith the prompts our hands and feet, voices, and minds to action, the kind that does something. That screams authenticity. We want God like the Apostles had God.

How did the Apostles have Him? They had Him in ways that were life altering - where He took the lowest of society and lavished them in His love - calling them higher. Where He took those that couldn't see and blessed them with sight. Where the sick were healed... where they EXPERIENCED HIM, Experienced Him in ways other's could not deny nor take away from them.

We yearn for real, and genuine - and the way for real and genuine is found as we allow God's love to flow over us, to consume us.

Join me in this episode as we dial in to learn the truth about God's love for US.

Change is hard, and it's necessary. Scripture has a lot to say about change, and our need to endure it. 

2 Corinthians 3:18 tells us, "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

From glory to glory means we're changing -> being transformed, to be like Jesus. 

Join me in this episode as we identify 4 reasons we resist change, and 3 truths we must hold on to. 

Biblical Womanhood is a beautiful thing. At first blush and according to our world's culture often times we're led to believe Biblical Womanhood is outdated, irrelevant, and something we should steer clear of as they profess it leads to a state of bondage. Unfortunately, however our culture has missed the beauty of womanhood as presented in scripture without digging in to see the power of these precious lives which God has chosen to record and preserve to share throughout all generations. 

Join me in this study as we dive in to begin to understand what God really has to say about womanhood. 

Our pursuit begins today and it starts with awareness of our heart. 

Ezekiel 32:26 ESV, “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” 

Continuing our journey to understand what it means to be the Bride of Christ. We desperately want to be the wife who has made herself ready, the one Revelation references. In today's episode we look further into Revelation 19:8:

“And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean & white for the linen is the righteousness of saints."

Just as an earthly bride seeks the perfect gown, so should the spiritual. Just as an earthly bride is diligent and intentional, so should the spiritual...

Join us in today's episode as we look to find the treasure God has placed in His word to help us make sure we are perfectly adorned...

Revelation 19:7, "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready."

Join me in this episode as we dive into this scripture and go on a journey learning about the Bride of Christ and her responsibility in waiting for her Bridegroom.

What's a Kinsman Redeemer? Do I have one? Better yet, do I need one?

Listen in as we dig into the last chapter of the book of Ruth to find out what Ruth found when Boaz stepped in claiming the role of Kinsman Redeemer in her life. We'll journey together and learn how Boaz points us to Jesus our very own Kinsman Redeemer. 

This episode is the sixth and final episode of a series.

Join us as we continue our journey through the book of Ruth.

In this episode we're looking at the Ruth's Threshing floor moment with Boaz. We're paralleling it to our own Threshing floor moment with Jesus, the moment when we acknowledge Him as our Redeemer. 

This episode is the fifith episode of a series.

Ever wonder what it means to be grafted in? Have you come to the place in your walk with Christ, acknowledged His overwhelming love and wondered, How can it be? 

Join us as we continue our journey through the book of Ruth. 

In this episode we finally make it to the point where Ruth and Boaz meet! Let's discover together how their meeting is a beautiful picture of our own meeting with Jesus. 

This episode is the fourth episode of a series.

Have you experienced a time when loss or struggle affected your perception of, or your relationship with God?

We are journeying through the book of Ruth. In it we find Naomi experienced a struggle like this, and it brought with it an identity crisis of sorts. As a result she changed her name from Naomi to Mara (meaning bitterness). 

Have you ever felt this way? Maybe you're wrestling with the Lord, in a place where you are dragging yourself to church struggling through a situation while at the same time still reaching for God. Perhaps your struggle has led you to confusion over who you are in Him?

Join us as we dive in to examine Naomi's struggle. As we do, we find God did not change her name, she changed it. She labeled herself just like we do when we call ourselves; Grief, Sorrow, Anger, Hardship, Depression, Anxious, Hopeless. 

In this episode we're going to acknowledge, yes she did make a mistake, however we're going to key in on what she did that we too need to grab hold of. 

This episode is the third of a series. 

Have you ever found yourself in need of a comforter?

Our focus in this episode shows us a time when Naomi found herself in such a place. In this place she was presented a choice, stay in Moab or return to the Promised Land. We'll uncover our need for repentance, and how this world has watered down God's desire for us. 

True repentance is a beautiful life changing process, have we stopped short of experiencing it?

Join me in this next episode where we learn God's definition of repentance. 

We're going to dig to see it's power, and the ripple effect it sets into motion. 

The book of Ruth is a message to the Bride of Christ. It shows us God's call that goes out to all of us, and our free will to respond. Will we follow Christ, or will we follow this world?

In this first episode of this series we dig into the background of this beautiful book, and come face to face with the temptation we all experience at one point or another will we step outside of God's promise, or will we sit in the wait?

Waiting is a hard thing, especially in our current cultural climate. Those that choose to endure it however find just as Ruth does - it's worth it EVERY TIME.

There are days where it feels like there is a barrier we have to overcome in order to get time in with Jesus.

Join me in this episode where we talk about 5 ways to get Jesus into our day. 

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

What does a peacemaker look like to you? What do they do, how do they carry themselves?

What does a peacemaker do? 

Peacemakers bring light where darkness once was and speaks truth where lies once lived. 

Psalm 91 tells us there is a secret place, a place of safety, refuge protection, and peace. This Beatitudes point us to the secret place where we can abide with Christ. 

So many of us are looking to find this place and learn what it means to abide. Many of us get caught up thinking doing Christian things will take us there, however doing Christian things doesn’t equal abiding in Christ. 

To Abide means to bear patiently, to endure without yielding. To withstand – to wait for. To Abide is not doing nothing – it’s a verb. Which is where many of us get tripped up. We don't think it should take any effort, and don't want to accept that to abide is action and involves effort.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

What does it mean to take up your cross?

The first and last Beatitude possess the same reward, why do you think they’re laid out this way?

Join me in this episode as we continue our journey through the Beatitudes.

When you think of mercy what do you think of?

Mercy defined: A compassion to one in need or helpless distress, or in debt and without claim to favorable treatment.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Matthew 18 – Peter asks how many times to forgive. He expected there to be an end to mercy. Because why wouldn't you?

I mean fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me - right?

We have basically zero tolerance when it comes to other's shortcomings, but when it comes to our own we expect it.  

We must learn to embracing meekness in a culture where assertiveness and aggressiveness are esteemed. 

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Meekness is contentment with who you are and with where God has called you. 

Example: Jesus had the power to do anything he wanted yet allowed betrayal and death -> a perfect picture of meekness. For Him to allow this to happen required self-control, submission and surrender. 

Our culture tends to teach us those who are meek are week. To say meekness is weakness considering Jesus’ example however is absurd. 

What does it mean to be blessed? How do we know we’re living a good life? What’s the source of a good life?

The Pharisees said it was found in a list of regulations. Jesus said it’s found in these short paradoxical statements that when we dig into them we find they cut us straight to the core. They challenge us from every side. If we're willing to endure the refining however, they will change our life and help develop our walk with Jesus outlining for us what Christian living is all about by developing within us the character needed to walk in the purpose God has set for us. 

Join me in today's episode as we talk through, what does it mean to be blessed. Journey with me as we walk through the first two Beatitudes 

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Are you looking for authenticity in your walk for the Lord? Perhaps you feel as though you can’t quite get this Christian Living right.

Maybe it doesn’t feel as though you expected or you can’t seem to get past different areas or struggles?

Let’s lean in together to examine how Jesus says we should live. New Series is dropping soon! Stay tuned!

Let's not be so busy this week checking boxes preparing the Easter outfits, the meal, packing the eggs, filling the baskets that we forget what this is all about. Let's remember to take time to linger in His word - and remember this isn't just a tradition we're adhering to. This the greatest rescue story of all time. OUR rescue story, which isn't a story at all - it's reality. A reality that we all will face as one day we stand face to face with the One who died and is looking us over to see has the blood been applied? 

The details of Passover, and those seen in the last week of Jesus life correlate in a lock step manner to what God laid out for the Israelites to follow 1500 years prior to Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. The Cross is personal, which leads us to see Passover is personal. 

Jesus' is our Passover Lamb. 

We all have our own personal Egypt we need freed of; drugs, alcohol, financial struggle, depression, anxiety, toxic relationships, poor decision making, whatever it is - a worldly idea, lifestyle, that we are stuck in and just can't seem to break free from. 

Barabbas vs. Jesus looked at another way is really son of a father saved by the Son of the Father.  Barabbas is mentioned in all four gospels of the New Testament. In this episode we'll look at two valuable aspects of the message we find in Barabbas life and how they are applicable to our own.  

1) The choice in the Garden. Is the same choice in the courtyard.  

2) Barabbas' story parallels our own. As offensive as it feels we are Barabbas.  Barabbas was a sinner in need of a Savior.  We are a sinner in need of a Savior. 

Join me as we explore what was happening as we read of Barabbas standing next to Jesus, and the choice presented to the people. 

Easter will quickly be here, and we're spending time preparing our heart to celebrate Resurrection Sunday by dialing in on the last week of Jesus' life.

This first episode looks at Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and discusses how it shows us a picture of His triumphal entry into our heart. 

As we walk through the last week of Jesus' life we see a painful depiction of our interactions, and our handling of God in our own lives. Sometimes it's really painful to look at and think through, but it's also very beautiful to understand despite our misunderstanding -> God chose the Cross. 

We can read all the self-help books available, get all the tips and tricks there are out - but still feel lost, empty, and helpless - because we were never meant to help our selves. We were intentionally designed as imperfect creatures in need of a perfect Savior.  

Join me in this episode as we look the lives of Mary and Martha and what they show us about our lives today, thousands of years later. We really do yearn for perfection, but are we chasing after the perfection we were made to pursue? 

“If we don’t understand giving gifts then we don’t understand grace, if we don’t understand grace, then we don’t understand anything.”

Is there a right way, or a wrong way to give? Do we give begrudgingly because we have to, kind of a scrooge heart? Or are we the polar opposite, do we give without thinking - checking those boxes moving right on through the season. Let's consider what is God's desire for it?

Christmas is a beautiful time of year. 

It’s a time of giving, where people who may not typically want or feel to give – are compelled to. Giving is an intriguing concept. One that some think is just something as a culture we do especially at this time of year, but as Christian’s we understand, or rather need to understand there’s more to it. 

In this episode we're going to discuss 3 struggles of giving, and what right giving looks like. Join me and let's learn together how giving is an act of worship. 

Are we listening? I mean, really – truly, whole heartedly listening? The kind where we acknowledge we’ve got two ears, and one mouth for a reason? The, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear,” sort?

Sometimes, I’ve got to admit, I don’t do this as well as I should, and the Lord is really showing me just how off I’ve been, as I hear and feel him teaching me over and over again the need to be humble and bow before him and LISTEN. Not just in my prayer room in the morning… but to continue that posture of prayer with humility, and listening throughout the day.

Sometimes we get lost in what we think our purpose is. 

• We confuse our priorities. 
• We assume we have everything under control, 
• We believe we’re seeing everything from all sides. 

We have great intentions, but truth be known even with the best intentions we can still fall very short of the mark. And risk all together living our true purpose. 

The Lord recently sent me on a journey through the book of Proverbs three times in three months. When I heard from God that the second time was going to be immediately followed by a third I found myself giggling asking the Lord, “What in the world?” Nervous laughter, and a familiar burn of conviction, led me to hear very clearly from the Lord, “Daughter, you’re not getting it. Start over and do it again.” It’s embarrassing for me to admit to you, and the only reason I’m laying this out here is because I really feel like there are a lot of people who are just like me. 

This journey through Proverbs keeps flashing a red light before my eyes saying, “Stop talking.” 

Proverbs 15:28, says, “The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.” 

Proverbs 14:1 declares, “Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.” 

Ladies we are building a house and the house we are building is being built brick by brick. The question we're pondering today, is how are we building? And how do we build? Are we getting it right? 

Join me in today's episode where we talk about our need for less talking, and more listening. 

Isaiah 49:14-16, "But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me."

For the woman who's struggling with trust in the unseen. Or the woman whose circumstance has you wondering if you are forgotten. Join me in today's episode where we focus on the compassionate God we serve. The ONE who is actively working the greatest rescue plan this world will ever know.

Trials are promised, but so is God's help. 

Do you find yourself struggling with bitterness, desiring social acceptance, tolerance, inactivity, negativity, self-love, instant gratification, political correctness etc? 

Maybe you’re afraid of what others will think if you choose not to take part in gossip. Or maybe you’re battling the struggle that keeps your mouth silent when the Lord asks you to speak a word of encouragement. Maybe you’re afraid to open your mouth in prayer in fear of what others will think. Perhaps you’ve been persuaded to hide the Light of the Gospel, the one God has revealed to you, and you’re too afraid to speak due to idol of political correctness that stands so tall.

If you find yourself mulling any of this, I encourage you to join me today as we wrap up this three part study. 

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” 2 Corinthians 6:16-18 

Our definition of love is so broken and distorted even the best of us have zero understanding of it. God's definition of love is so vastly different from our own. Our definition is often based on emotion going NO further, but God's definition is UNCONDITIONAL - and goes against everything our culture stands for. 

What does this have to do with our study of the three Hebrew men and the fiery furnace? EVERYTHING - you don't want to miss this episode.

In today's episode we're looking at the importance of a name, and the power of God's love when life throws us in the face of our own fiery furnace.

Join me! 

Whether we recognize it or not, our own culture is attempting to disconnect us from the faith we profess. 

When we are imperfect, when we make a mistake it quickly jumps to change our name calling us, liar, hypocrite, depressed, etc. 

In these moments we can find ourselves tempted to buy in and take that name on by allowing shame to label us these things, but the problem in doing this is that fixating that label on our chest is a move toward these things. When we do this we allow ourselves to be tempted to remove the name we carry, forgetting that what they call us has no standing. 

It is our confidence in who we are and the name that we carry, the name that has been spoken over us spiritually that matters.

Join me as we explore the lives of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to see what God did for them, and how He desires to do the same for us.  

If ever there was a no brainer choice presented - It seems like this is it - right? I mean, hands down we'll take living water every time....broken cistern just sounds bad - we don't want water in anything broken whether we know what a cistern is or not.  OR do we!?!  What if what we think is  living water, isn't? What if it's actually, a broken cistern? What if, what we think is pure and satisfying thirst quenching goodness is really - nothing more than muck and mire leaving us thirsty and searching for more?  In today's episode, we are going to explore just that, asking the question, "Am I running to the fountain of living water, OR am I running to a broken cistern?" Am I looking to the things of God, or am I looking to the things of this world to satisfy me? Scripture Focus:  Jeremiah 2:13, "For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns - broken cisterns that can hold no water.  

Astonishing transformations, and miraculous resurrections happen in the Upper Rooms of scripture. Upper Rooms are pivotal, and still necessary in our own transformation process. What happens is undeniable, and available to every single one of us. Are you willing to go there?

2 Kings 4:16 – 21

And he said, about this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life. And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers. And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, carry him to his mother. And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.

Prior to this – remember Elisha asked her, “what can I do for you? What can I ask the King to do for you?” contentment led her to say, I dwell among my people. Meaning, I have all I need. 

Contentment is something is a struggle

She learned to focus on what she had – not what she lacked. 

Luke 12:22, 30-31

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. . . . [For] your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.”

True contentment comes from several principles we see the Shunamite live out. 

God sees the desire of our heart. 

The Shunamite desired to birth something… Here we see physical birthing, a physical miracle – but that isn’t the only thing that can be birthed – That isn’t necessarily what God desires to birth through our lives.

1 Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that he should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 

But we can’t do it on our own – just like the Shunamite lacked the ability to conceive. 

The purpose God has for us isn’t one that we can’t live out on our own. 

God’s will for us goes beyond us. 

Tragedy strikes – her desire, her dream has died. Sometimes this same thing happens to our desire and our dream  

Here is where we see faith and trust in this action. 

Faith – she’s believing for a resurrection. 

She did not accept that this was the end to her dream no matter what her eyes saw.

Sometimes we walk through situations where it seems like what God spoke to us - or the promises he has revealed appear dead or lost to us. She shows us in the midst of what had to have felt impossible to her, the need to speak faith and hope - and seek God. 

We see Trust because she is going to her husband asking to go to the man of God. Trust can be a hard thing. But Proverbs 3:5 tells us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” 

Knowing God has everything in His hands, and trusting His process. And ability sounds really simple - and is simple -It's simple but not easy. Because Simple and Easy are two very different things. Next week we're going to step into the hard part she endured. 

Until next week let's think on contentment - where do we stand?

Is there a desire in your heart that you're hiding? Take this week and pray over it specifically. 

Where do you stand when it comes to faith - and trust?

Link to first episode in this series: 

Do you ever find yourself feeling like adding time with God into your every day is asking too much? Do you wonder if it's necessary? Is your schedule bursting? Do you wonder where to start when it comes to living faith out beyond Sunday morning church service? This week's episode takes our faith as a lifestyle series deeper by discussing just that addressing what it takes and outlining the accommodations needed.

Last week we talked about the Shunamite’s active faith – here we see that faith taking another step.

We start this off by hearing her say: "Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be when he cometh to us, that he shall turn thither."

These are modest accommodations that seem very simple, but are all very intentional. She was considerate and thoughtful when she decided what to put in that room, when we look at them deeper we find they pattern for us what our life should look like when we go to create space to make God part of our every day and to make our faith a lifestyle.

Each item she placed in that room was purposeful. A lot has been written about these items. We'll stay high level.

Let’s look at: 

The bed: This was a place for Elisha to rest. Rest is a necessity. Consistently in scripture we hear God’s reminder to Be Quiet. Be Still. To Rest.

The bed is a reminder to us of our need for rest.

The Table: The table is a reminder for nourishment. We must be fed both physically and spiritually.

Psalm 34:8, "O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him."

Matt 4:4,  "But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ Physical and Spiritual Food."

Stool: Was more than likely a seat of honor rather than the meager stool that we often jump to in our mind. It serves as a reminder for prayer with our Lord daily.

Candlestick: Illuminated the room. Psalms 119:105 - Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

The Shunamite now has a space in her home for him. It’s part of her day to day. We find her hospitality moves Elisha.

He calls her to him and asks what he can do for her. She is very modest in her response. She lives among her own people. This shows us her contentment. She could have had whatever she wanted – but she chose to be content, to acknowledge God’s provision to her and be grateful for what she had.

Matt 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Psalms 37:4, “Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”

Part 2 - Choose Faith as a Lifestyle. Examining the life of the Shunamite Woman.

2 Kings 4:8-11

8 And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.

9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.

10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.

11 And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.

In this we see a pattern of progression we are called to follow.

It all begins with faith. And we see this foundation of faith laid here in this first portion.

Hebrews 11:6 tells us without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Faith pleases God – Faith moves God.

Romans 12:3 tells us that God has given us all the measure of faith. She chose to activate her faith. We have that same choice.

If we go back to Matthew 13: 31-32 we are told about the mustard seed faith. Mustard seed is the least of all the seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

Planting the seed of faith requires we take a step – the Shunamite was willing to take that step.

She is compelled to do something for him. Which is where we see her begin to activate that mustard seed faith. She reaches out for him in hospitality by providing him bread.

Elisha gets to this place where he is stopping by her home any time he is traveling that circuit.

And the Shunamite’s desire to develop that relationship is compelled to move deeper. The more she’s around him – the more clearly she sees this is a holy man of God. This too directly parallels to our relationship with God – the closer we get to him, the more we open ourselves to him – the more we see his holiness – and our hunger and thirst for that relationship increases.

She’s no longer satisfied with occasional drop-byes she wants to create space for him.

The Shunamite is sensitive – she perceives that Elisha is a holy man.

We experience this as God begins to shine a light on His word

Questions to think through:

1) The Shunamite spent time with Elisha and the relationship was developed. She was investing in Him. Same is true with us. Time and space. Mental space – physical space. Do we even have time to carve out in our day, what about space?

2) What ways can you activate your faith this week?

We’re continuing our conversation over the sometimes - impossible feeling choice of surrender. If you haven’t listened to Episode 7 – check it out first.

In this episode we're looking at God's call to Abraham in Genesis 12:2 – where He tells him, "and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.”

We're going to chop that statement up, and make it personal. Then we'll dive into the four components of surrender.

1. Admit our imperfection by standing transparently before God. Confess our failure or feelings to him. We cannot do it all, but we serve a God who does.

4 Scriptures on Admitting wrong:

1) Proverbs 28:13, “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

2) James 5:16, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer for a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

3) 1 John 1:19, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

4) Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

2. Acknowledge that God is the God of control. When we attempt to control things, we are trying to do his job. His plan is better than ours. Trust him to do what he has said he will do.

4 Verses Acknowledging God’s Control:

1) Colossians 1:17, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

2) Psalm 29:10, “The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever.”

3) Job 42:2, “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”

4) Jeremiah 32:27, “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?”

3. Ask the God of control to rule over your day. Ask the God of control to take up residence into every area of your life.

4 Verses: the necessity of Asking

1) Philippians 4:6, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplications with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

2) John 16:24, “Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.”

3) Psalm 107:6, “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He delivered them out of their distresses.”

4) James 5:13, “Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.”

4. Allow him to work. Exodus 14:14, “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” This is one of the most difficult verses to live. It’s the time where we practice the act of surrender by stepping back, taking a deep breath (or 10) and letting God be God.

4 Verses: Allowing God to be God.

1) Psalm 27:14, “Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.”

2) Psalm 25:5, “Lead me in Your truth and teach me. For you are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day.”

3) Psalm 5:3, “In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.”

4) Exodus 14:14, “The Lord will fight for you and you will only be silent.”

We've got this gift called free will. But without a choice - What's the use!?! 

From the beginning of time – God has granted us freedom to CHOOSE. The Bible shows us many examples of the power of choice. 

In this episode, we focus on two. A bad choice, and a good choice. A bad choice that set forth a ripple effect of consequence, and a good choice that set forth a ripple effect of a promise to never be taken. 

Scripture of focus - “But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

What's that good choice? Take a listen, let's explore together, and learn about the choice that brings a return that will never be taken from us. 

We have really great intentions – we want to do our best, be our best. However, when we don’t meet those standards, we’re often left feeling defeated without ever considering that maybe, this thing we are attempting to fix is not ours to mend. 

Join me in this episode is we talk about the power of surrender, and the choice we all need God's help to make.  

Scripture used in today's episode:  

Mark 14:36, “And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless, not what I will, but what thou wilt. 

Colossians 2:9, “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” 

John 1:1, “ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” 

John 1:14 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 

Philippians 4:6 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” 

Steps to take from here:  

1) Are you currently taking everything to God in prayer? Do you believe he wants to hear it? Because he does -The Bible is the infallible word of God – He said it. It’s truth – so any belief that he doesn’t want to hear it, is just not Biblical 

2) When you pray – do you follow this pattern -> prayer, supplication, thanksgiving? Do you have a grasp on the difference between these three components? If not – spend time this week searching it out. As you get it figured out – write your prayer out. It’s ok to do this, and actually is really helpful for those of us that are so easily distracted in prayer. 

3) What are your thoughts on Sanctification? We’ll dive into this in a different episode – but where do you stand with it in this moment? Start thinking about it… have you looked at your faith as a one and done sort of thing – or are you open to pushing forward in growing closer to Jesus, and allowing Him access to every space of your heart. 

She Chooses Episode 1! Let's chat about what's really holding us back from answering God's call. 

Self-preservation is all about doing what we can to be sure we remain safe.

Stretch Assignments

The Parable of the Talents

Matthew 25:14-30

Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

4 Triggers for Self-Preservation:

1) Fear of losing relationships or social status

2) Lack of Trust

3) Lack of Control

4) Fear of the unknown

The world’s call or God’s call?

Matthew 10:39, “He who finds his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

Deuteronomy 31:8, “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Fear will tempt us to bury our talent. Dismay will tempt us to hide it.

Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end there of are the ways of death.”