Remember, Revive, & Rejoice

This past week we have met every night to gather in one name to lift up our voices in prayer to the One we know can bring us revival.

two or more... and Him.

Each night many voices from one body would petition requests to our God.

So many hearts in one room, sharing testimonies of one thing...Suffering...

hearts hurting for loved ones so dear

young ones gone too soon

suffering of exhaustion, hearts worn thin

souls in need of outpouring

suffering of loss

Our souls long for revival, but what for? To take away all our suffering?

Or to remind us of it?

Jesus constantly left us the commandment to "Remember"

We are not meant to heap happiness over our pain until others can no longer see, it is still a fire burning so deep inside.

Rather, what if we remembered or sufferings as a reminder of the Hope we have in Jesus's name!

 ^"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18

This past year for us has been a special kind of trial, but it would be a shame for us to not see the Glory that was revealed through every painful step.  This verse became a lifeline for me, in it a powerful reminder that as hard as the here and now seems to be, the peace of God is an unfathomable comparison.

So what is revival? A time to remember the Glory that has come and is to come from the sufferings.

"For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." Romans 8:19-25

Let your heart cry out to God, remembering all He has brought you through, most of all, setting your mind on the Glory to come.

I am so thankful for the blessing of community. So thankful for a time of Revival.  A time to remember and celebrate the Glory that is our eternity.

Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Psalm 85:6

The Importance of Each Other - Guest Post

Today I am so happy to introduce you (again) to one of my good great friends Katie from Walking in Unity.  Katie's love and passion and desire to know more about the Word of God brings me so much joy!  When she asked what I wanted her to write about it didn't take me long!  This last year I have become so aware of the importance of community and fellowship in our lives.  Having a community of  God loving women has been the wind beneath my wings (cheezy but true) that brings me back up closer to our Father!  And who better to encourage you in this than one of those women in my life...

Are we assembling? Are we uniting?

              You are my “one another”

                         

  You sister, daughter of the one true King…

                                  You!

Hebrews 10: 23-25
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."
 
  As we hold fast & faithful to His promises, we are to hold “one another” up in love and encouragement
WE are to Assemble together
 
  Rather it be at church, in a living room bible study or in the deepest underground church- we are to assemble

Why is this important you may ask?
1st Because our Father said so!
2nd together we share our faith and our prayers together, that we strengthen “one another”- and tell me who can’t use some strengthening in this world today?

He tells us in....

Romans 12:15
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

How can we do this sisters?
     if we are not assembled together
                if we are not united
                        if we are not there for “one another”

Ephesians 4:11-13
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

     That “body of Christ” mention in vs. 12 is the church.
      It is us- “one anther” united to do His works through Love and Fellowship with “one another”

How do you sisters assemble together with “one another”?
Do you encourage one another?
Do you pray with one another?
Do you study His word with one another?
Do you rejoice with one another?
Do you weep with one another?

Remember…………

                Matthew 18:20 says….

                            “For where two or three are gathered together in My name,
                                       I am there in the midst of them.”

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Thank you so much for joining me again for the Blog-tember link up!

Hope in Miscarriage (& other trials) Part 2

Recently, I found myself diving back into God's word specifically for what He had to say about these trials life brings us.  It has been three months since the loss of our first child.  Yes, I still think about him/her everyday. Will that eventually change? I don't know! Will the hurt go away? I don't think it will, but I do think it will change.  With each season will be a different sorrow.  Baby showers. Due Date. Childless Holidays. It will change us. These trials that we go through, there is good in them to.  When our faith is tested, it draws us ever closer to Him.  Despite the pain, we can choose to rejoice in His goodness.

“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:6-7

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing…Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:2-4, 12

“We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18

Not only is God there to comfort us, but there are those who have already been through the same trials who are called to rise up and comfort us.  All the same as one day, our afflictions will be the experience we need to bring comfort to the afflicted.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort." 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Not many of my words are spread across the page, and that is because there is nothing I can say in comparison to the Living Word.  Dig into It.  Let the Father wrap His arms around you.  Choose to embrace Him.  Rejoice in His goodness, even when you can't see it anywhere else.  Run to Him, and Glory will be revealed.

See 12 verses for Miscarriage...

And other posts about Miscarriage

Serving one. Loving Jesus.

Why do we serve?

When I asked this question, I found my mind going in circles because I really could not settle on one solid answer, but rather was flooded with the many reasons we choose to love on others.  

First, being that sometimes, when we are so in tune with the Father, I find that it isn't even a conscious choice, but rather just allowing our Lord to move in and through us! Those "little" impulse moves to carry out somebody's groceries, or pump gas for the elderly across from us, or even hold a door so politely for someone.  These are acts of service, of love, and when performed so naturally rather than for self boast, it's not our love, but rather the perfect Love of the Father shining through! 

We should never find ourselves short of "reasons" to Love.  

Jesus and The Word, tells us to do so...

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen" - 1 Peter 4:10

"If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” - Mark 9:35

I recently read a passage in a book that has stuck with me...

-why don't we assume God actually does want us to DO everything He tells us, and have faith that he will direct and channel those actions in the right direction?

Jesus not only tells us numerous times to serve others, but many times we read instruction to love others. Love is a synonym of serve, at least in should be! 

Because he first loved us...

We as fallen human beings lack the ability of true, perfect love. It is ONLY through God and our relationship with Jesus that we can truly love others. 

"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us" 1  John 4:7-12

Why do we serve? 

"God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them" - Hebrew 6:10

Serving is not only a way we can demonstrate God's love, but in serving we "show God love!" It is an act of worship! 

Why do we serve?

"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” - Gal 5:13-14

We have been set Free! 

When we come to the realization of who and what we would be without the saving grace of our Lord, we can discern that every part of our lives should be devoted to service

 For Him! 

"We can do no great things, only small things with great love" - Mother Teresa

There are innumerable ways that YOU can serve! Be proactive and pray for direction! Remember that we don't have to serve hundreds or thousands to serve Jesus.  Only ONE!

  "And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." - Matthew 25:40

Here are a few ways my family serves...

We sponsor children through Compassion Intl. and serve as child advocates.

Pack and send shoe boxes every year as well as give monthly to Samaritan's Purse discipleship program.

Participate in food drives that serve the local community.

Serve through mission trips at home and internationally.

Volunteer at various events such as conferences and concerts.

Serve in our local church.

Click Here For more ways to get involved and read a little bit about what God is doing around the world.

Hope in a Miscarriage - 12 Bible Verses

One of the first things that brought me peace was remembering that our child was never ours to begin with, he/she (one day we will know) had always belonged to God, and always would.  We as parents are given a gift to care for God's children for a short period of eternity.  However "long" that may be for...

For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.  1 Samuel 1:27-28

The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”  Job 1:21

I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. Philemon 1:12

Knowing the very fact that our child would "skip" so much pain and suffering that this world offers was perhaps the most comforting truth I could rest on!  
We cannot even fathom how much our Lord loves our children.  Yes, he loves them abundantly more than we do, and His love is PERFECT! 

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.  Psalm 139:14


So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. 
Matthew 18:14

Our precious gift, given to us for a time, is now in the arms of his/her Creator, being comforted, protected, loved, and adored.  Just as our Lord is taking care of our baby, He is reaching down to us just as well.  

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven...a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 

We must take our time to mourn, and we have a Lord who will comfort us through the heartache, pulling us all the closer to Him and His mercy.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

 For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord... Jeremiah 30:17

I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. Psalm 34:18-19

And most of all, remembering that no matter how much we ache and hurt and mourn today, there is a hope of a tomorrow, when there will be no more tears and all will be well in the presence of our Savior!!! 

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18



We are still working through this trial, another reminder of how much we need HIM.  I hope that you to can find a peace that only our Father can provide.

He Loves You

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Update: months later as I needed these verses again, and knew of so many other tragedies around me, came part 2...

The girl you knew is Dying...

Dear Friends, 

Old and New, 

I have wondered at times, what you think when you see glimpses of my life today. 

Quite likely, it appears to be different then "when you knew me."

Truth is, it IS DIFFERENT.

Not because I am DIFFERENT, but because I am NEW.  

If you are thinking that I am unqualified, insufficient, undeserving, or unworthy of who I am today...YOU ARE RIGHT!

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer

, a persecutor, and an insolent being; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever.

It is only because of Christ, and In Christ that I am who I am...

Getting a little closer everyday, to who I was meant to be...

The person you knew is dying a little everyday, and I could not be more ALIVE!

---1 Timothy 1:12-17--- 

 

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." -Gal 2:20

"For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it." -  Mark 8:35

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." - 2 Cor 5:17

#loveandfaithfulness

5 "Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds." 

Psalm 36:5