But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
-1 Peter 5:10
This is our year of establishment! Listen, I know that every year someone makes a declaration for what the year holds, but I believe this one with everything that I have! I believe it because God spoke it so clearly to me that I had to share it. I believe that we are living out 1 Peter 5:10. Many of us have in fact "suffered a while"...actually, it seems like we suffered a long while (is it just me?), but I believe with such sincerity that we are entering the year that God will perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle us!
So, I declare unto you:
This is the year that you stop fighting the same battles and having the same arguments in your marriage! Communication won't be the issue again this year! Intimacy and sex won't be the issues again this year! Misunderstanding won't leave you not talking for days this year! This is the year we are established and secure in our marriages because we are going to do it God's way!
This is the year that you prioritize God and family! This is the year that you make choices based on those priorities!
This is the year that you settle in who you are; not just as a wife - but as a child of the Most High God!
This is the year that you are no longer double-minded! You won't go back and forth in your decision-making, and you won't overthink and over-analyze, but you will be solid and sound!
This is that year!
This is the year that you are going to spend time with the father like never before. This is the year that instead of seeking everyone else's opinion you seek His. This is the year that you put down the phone and pick up the Word of God!
This is that year!
This is the year that His voice is louder than any other voice!
This is the year that you are unmoved by what you see and hear, but you remain steadfast and unmovable!
This is the year that you remain undivided in your heart and in your loyalties!
This year you will be settled! This year you will be secure! This year you will be strengthened!
This is our year of establishment!
Do you agree? If so, type "I agree" in the comments!
Monday, December 31, 2018
Monday, December 24, 2018
Monday's Marriage Moment - Challenge Accepted!
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:19 - 21
Every marriage faces challenges: even the one that Jesus' parents had. Mary and Joseph were on track to get married, and then Mary gets pregnant...and it's not Joseph's baby (technically, they weren't married, but they were "espoused" which was binding and could only be severed by death or divorce). The baby's father was the Holy Spirit. Can you imagine trying to explain that to Joseph?Mary had a choice: 1) try to convince Joseph of what the angel told her 2) trust God.
Mary chose to trust God to show Joseph just like He sent the angel to show her. Instead of adding fuel to an already burning fire, Mary took a step back and trusted that the God who gave her a promise would also work in Joseph's heart. And you know what? God did! They faced the challenged and overcame it!
So, since every marriage will face challenges I choose to accept them. I choose to accept the challenges knowing that just like God chose Mary for Joseph He chose me for John (and you for your spouse).
Challenge accepted! God has equipped me to withstand the fiery darts and trials. He has equipped us to go through fire and come out not even smelling like smoke!
Challenge accepted! God has united John and I together and I know that united we can face anything!
Challenge accepted! With God on our side how can we fail? We can't!
Challenge accepted!
I'm not telling you to accept less than God's best. I'm not telling you to accept behaviors, attitudes, and treatment that God didn't intend. I'm telling you to accept the challenge to live this married life with fidelity, integrity, and genuine love and defeat every enemy that you face.
Your marriage will face challenges. It just will, but you must choose to stand in faith and believe that God will protect you, cover you, and fight for you. Accept the challenge today! If Jesus' parents can do it so can you.
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Matthew 1:19 - 21
Every marriage faces challenges: even the one that Jesus' parents had. Mary and Joseph were on track to get married, and then Mary gets pregnant...and it's not Joseph's baby (technically, they weren't married, but they were "espoused" which was binding and could only be severed by death or divorce). The baby's father was the Holy Spirit. Can you imagine trying to explain that to Joseph?Mary had a choice: 1) try to convince Joseph of what the angel told her 2) trust God.
Mary chose to trust God to show Joseph just like He sent the angel to show her. Instead of adding fuel to an already burning fire, Mary took a step back and trusted that the God who gave her a promise would also work in Joseph's heart. And you know what? God did! They faced the challenged and overcame it!
So, since every marriage will face challenges I choose to accept them. I choose to accept the challenges knowing that just like God chose Mary for Joseph He chose me for John (and you for your spouse).
Challenge accepted! God has equipped me to withstand the fiery darts and trials. He has equipped us to go through fire and come out not even smelling like smoke!
Challenge accepted! God has united John and I together and I know that united we can face anything!
Challenge accepted! With God on our side how can we fail? We can't!
Challenge accepted!
I'm not telling you to accept less than God's best. I'm not telling you to accept behaviors, attitudes, and treatment that God didn't intend. I'm telling you to accept the challenge to live this married life with fidelity, integrity, and genuine love and defeat every enemy that you face.
Your marriage will face challenges. It just will, but you must choose to stand in faith and believe that God will protect you, cover you, and fight for you. Accept the challenge today! If Jesus' parents can do it so can you.
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Monday, December 17, 2018
Monday's Marriage Moment - Stop Waiting on Them!
Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”
-John 5:5-6
If my husband would just step up we could be so much further along!
If I just had an opportunity I could do something really great!
If people supported me I could do what I've been called to do!
If I had the money...the people...the tools...I could just ______________!
Have you ever said any of these things? I have. It is tempting to wait for things to be just right before you take a step into the great thing you've been dreaming about, but you have waited long enough!
The conditions will never be perfect, but God is. He has a beautiful future planned for you, and He just needs you to trust Him enough to step into it.
He knows the limitations that you see. He sees your husband, your children, your career, and your condition, and He is not moved by any of it. His mind hasn't changed.
He knows that you thought you would be further; He knows that you thought your marriage would be in a different place, you would be more financially secure, and that you would have more support than you do right now. Yet, He is still calling you to step out onto the water, and He has this word for you today:
STOP WAITING ON THEM!
Stop waiting for your husband to be who you thought he should be before you decide to enjoy your life.
Stop waiting for your children to line up to who you raised them to be before you minister to other moms.
Stop waiting for people to call you a title before you operate in the ministry God has called you to do.
Stop waiting for others to believe that you can do it before you start believing that you can do it.
STOP WAITING ON THEM!
You've been in this condition long enough. Do you want to be well? Do you want to fulfill the purpose God has for you? Do you want to enjoy this life? Then STOP WAITING ON THEM, and start living the life God has promised!
-John 5:5-6
If my husband would just step up we could be so much further along!
If I just had an opportunity I could do something really great!
If people supported me I could do what I've been called to do!
If I had the money...the people...the tools...I could just ______________!
Have you ever said any of these things? I have. It is tempting to wait for things to be just right before you take a step into the great thing you've been dreaming about, but you have waited long enough!
The conditions will never be perfect, but God is. He has a beautiful future planned for you, and He just needs you to trust Him enough to step into it.
He knows the limitations that you see. He sees your husband, your children, your career, and your condition, and He is not moved by any of it. His mind hasn't changed.
He knows that you thought you would be further; He knows that you thought your marriage would be in a different place, you would be more financially secure, and that you would have more support than you do right now. Yet, He is still calling you to step out onto the water, and He has this word for you today:
STOP WAITING ON THEM!
Stop waiting for your husband to be who you thought he should be before you decide to enjoy your life.
Stop waiting for your children to line up to who you raised them to be before you minister to other moms.
Stop waiting for people to call you a title before you operate in the ministry God has called you to do.
Stop waiting for others to believe that you can do it before you start believing that you can do it.
STOP WAITING ON THEM!
You've been in this condition long enough. Do you want to be well? Do you want to fulfill the purpose God has for you? Do you want to enjoy this life? Then STOP WAITING ON THEM, and start living the life God has promised!
Monday, December 10, 2018
Monday's Marriage Moment - You Are About to Cross Over! So, It's Time to Settle!
Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers. And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.
Deuteronomy 8:1-2
You are about to cross over! I feel it so strongly! You are about to enter into some promises that you have been waiting on for a long time. Like the children of Israel, you are right on the edge of breakthrough.
But, like Moses, I feel compelled to give you a pep talk before you enter. I am compelled to tell you that before you crossover you need to settle. I know that sounds totally opposite of entering in, but I assure you that it isn't. It's not a physical place that I am asking you to settle into. I am asking you to settle some things in your mind and heart. See, the Promised Land is a great place; a wonderful place, but the Promised Land is not problem free. Even in the place that God designed just for you will be battles to be fought and obstacles to overcome.
So, I need you to settle.
Settle in your mind that God is God. Settle that you will follow Him no matter how dark the path looks.
Settle that you will obey His commands and instructions.
Settle that He has never left you before, and He will never leave you.
Settle that what is coming is greater than what has ever been.
Settle that your marriage will align with His plan; that you will be the wife that He has called you to be.
Get real settled in His word concerning you. Get really settled in His promise.
Spend these next 21 days soaking in who He is and what He has said about you. The battles don't end because you obtain the promise, but if you settle yourself you will be well able to handle any challenge that comes your way.
YOU ARE ABOUT TO CROSS OVER! Settle down!
Deuteronomy 8:1-2
You are about to cross over! I feel it so strongly! You are about to enter into some promises that you have been waiting on for a long time. Like the children of Israel, you are right on the edge of breakthrough.
But, like Moses, I feel compelled to give you a pep talk before you enter. I am compelled to tell you that before you crossover you need to settle. I know that sounds totally opposite of entering in, but I assure you that it isn't. It's not a physical place that I am asking you to settle into. I am asking you to settle some things in your mind and heart. See, the Promised Land is a great place; a wonderful place, but the Promised Land is not problem free. Even in the place that God designed just for you will be battles to be fought and obstacles to overcome.
So, I need you to settle.
Settle in your mind that God is God. Settle that you will follow Him no matter how dark the path looks.
Settle that you will obey His commands and instructions.
Settle that He has never left you before, and He will never leave you.
Settle that what is coming is greater than what has ever been.
Settle that your marriage will align with His plan; that you will be the wife that He has called you to be.
Get real settled in His word concerning you. Get really settled in His promise.
Spend these next 21 days soaking in who He is and what He has said about you. The battles don't end because you obtain the promise, but if you settle yourself you will be well able to handle any challenge that comes your way.
YOU ARE ABOUT TO CROSS OVER! Settle down!
Monday, December 3, 2018
Monday's Marriage Moment - Got Receipts? It's Time to Throw Them Away!
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
1 Corinthians 13:5 NLT
I was getting my keys out of my purse over the weekend when I realized that I had an inordinate amount of receipts. There were receipts for food purchases, clothing items, household things, and more. As I was grabbing my keys, I heard very clearly, "throw those receipts away". I know that doesn't seem like deep revelation, but I started thinking about what receipts are.
Generally, receipts are proof of purchase. When you pay for items you are handed a receipt; documentation that you have legal right to the item your purchased. In our current culture, receipts have taken on a more general meaning. When we say we have "receipts" we are saying that we have proof - video proof, written proof, or some other verifiable means to prove what we said is true.
Here's the thing: God was telling me even though I have legal right to some things I need to still throw it away. I have a right to be upset with my husband about some things - I have the "receipt" to prove my case, but if we are going to move forward I need to throw it away - let it go! I have a great case to back up why I behave the way I do - I got receipts - but if we are going to be the great couple God has called us to be I need to throw them away and embrace God's way.
You may have the receipt to prove why you are hurt. You may have the receipt to prove why you are afraid. You may have the receipt to prove why you act the way you act, but it is time to throw it away. We must stop keeping score or as the scriptures says in 1 Corinthians 13:5, we must keep "no record of being wronged".
If you are going to move forward, you can't continue to hold onto the receipts of the past. I had receipts in my purse for things that are long gone - food that had been eaten, clothes that had been worn, detergents and hair products that had been used - the receipts were of no use. Why hold onto it? All those receipts did was create clutter. They took up space. They added no value.
The physical receipts that I had in my purse are just like the emotional receipts that we hold in our hearts. They take up space but have no value. They are cluttering our minds and our hearts. They are preventing us from embracing the life that we could have because we are holding on to memories of things long gone.
At some point, we are going to have to really trust God with our lives. He made the ultimate purchase over 2,000 years ago. He purchased our freedom with His shed blood. He redeemed us from the enemy, and that's the only real receipt we need to hold onto - His finished work!
Do you have receipts for things that have happened in your marriage? Are you holding on to past hurts and offenses? Is there any one thing that you can throw away before the end of this year?
1 Corinthians 13:5 NLT
I was getting my keys out of my purse over the weekend when I realized that I had an inordinate amount of receipts. There were receipts for food purchases, clothing items, household things, and more. As I was grabbing my keys, I heard very clearly, "throw those receipts away". I know that doesn't seem like deep revelation, but I started thinking about what receipts are.
Generally, receipts are proof of purchase. When you pay for items you are handed a receipt; documentation that you have legal right to the item your purchased. In our current culture, receipts have taken on a more general meaning. When we say we have "receipts" we are saying that we have proof - video proof, written proof, or some other verifiable means to prove what we said is true.
Here's the thing: God was telling me even though I have legal right to some things I need to still throw it away. I have a right to be upset with my husband about some things - I have the "receipt" to prove my case, but if we are going to move forward I need to throw it away - let it go! I have a great case to back up why I behave the way I do - I got receipts - but if we are going to be the great couple God has called us to be I need to throw them away and embrace God's way.
You may have the receipt to prove why you are hurt. You may have the receipt to prove why you are afraid. You may have the receipt to prove why you act the way you act, but it is time to throw it away. We must stop keeping score or as the scriptures says in 1 Corinthians 13:5, we must keep "no record of being wronged".
If you are going to move forward, you can't continue to hold onto the receipts of the past. I had receipts in my purse for things that are long gone - food that had been eaten, clothes that had been worn, detergents and hair products that had been used - the receipts were of no use. Why hold onto it? All those receipts did was create clutter. They took up space. They added no value.
The physical receipts that I had in my purse are just like the emotional receipts that we hold in our hearts. They take up space but have no value. They are cluttering our minds and our hearts. They are preventing us from embracing the life that we could have because we are holding on to memories of things long gone.
At some point, we are going to have to really trust God with our lives. He made the ultimate purchase over 2,000 years ago. He purchased our freedom with His shed blood. He redeemed us from the enemy, and that's the only real receipt we need to hold onto - His finished work!
Do you have receipts for things that have happened in your marriage? Are you holding on to past hurts and offenses? Is there any one thing that you can throw away before the end of this year?
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