Author Archives: encouragingem

The Reason 12/3/15 

03 Thursday Dec 2015

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Today, right where you are, let these words settle in…You are the reason Jesus came. 

I know it’s been said so many times before. We can say it so flipidly it becomes a slogan without conviction…Jesus loves you. It’s true though…he really does. This Christmas I want you to consider the personal gift you were given when Jesus came so many years ago. Why he came. Yes, the story is timeless and never loses its splendor but it’s more than just a story; he was more than just a baby born in a manger. He is Emmanuel, God with us. I love that! Jesus is with me; he’s with you! What a gift!! To have the presence of Jesus with you always is a guarantee that you’ll never be alone. A friend forever. An advocate always fighting for you. He offers freedom. Healing. Blessings. Everything he has is available to you. Jesus is yours!  Talk about the gift that keeps on giving! 

My prayer to you this Christmas season is that you fully capture the reason of Jesus’ birth…you. That you would get a glimpse of the love the Father has for you and make it personal. It is personal. If you would have been the only one he would have lived, died, and rose again just for you. He loves you and longs for you to know it and to live from a place of absolute security in it. There is no end to his love and favor. Even after all the lights, trees, and decorations are gone he will still be with you…in you…for you…your personal gift of life, hope, joy, and peace all year round!  

Merry Christmas!! 

Prisoner 12/1/15 

01 Tuesday Dec 2015

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I woke up this morning and I felt such a heaviness of sorrow. I had a bad dream and it almost ruined my day. I hate that! Immediately flashbacks of the past went scrambling through my mind and now the tears came flooding in. Not a great way to start the day out. 

As I layed there and gathered mysef I began to think of how grateful I am to be where I am today. Full of hope. Full of peace. Things were not always this way. I would have stayed there in a prison of fear. I would have allowed my thoughts and emotions to keep me bound. It seems like a lifetime ago that I was so wounded. I’ve learned to express my hurts and emotions to Jesus and not allow them to control me. Once I’ve exchanged turmoil for peace I can face the day with expectation of good. In my mind it’s not such a fair gift exchange but it is the way Jesus works. 

You see, once we get a taste of the goodness of God we are forever changed. He is no longer just a name on a page or stories in a book. We no longer cling to lies because truth has proven itself true. When doubt threathens to swallow us whole, his voice rescues us. When our past comes back to haunt us, he reminds us of who we are in him. We have been captured in a love so real, so strong, that it won’t let us go…ever! 

This love, again, reached out to me this morning reminding me that in all his splendor and glory, he has always been Emmanuel, God with me. Through every moment of my life. Good. Bad. Rich. Poor. Sickness and in health. I am bound by his faithfulness to me and he won’t ever let me go…never! 

Remember!! 11/25/15

25 Wednesday Nov 2015

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Have you ever forgotten something? Got up and walked into a room and all of the sudden you can’t remember why? Ever called for someone and they came and oops can’t remember why you called them? Came back from the store without the one thing you went for? 

This happens more times often then not and I’ve noticed a pattern; I’ve gotten distracted or I’m to busy. 

Today the Spirit of the Lord has gripped me and has sent me to remind you, whether you’ve been distracted or too busy with cares, remember why you’re here! 

Distraction and busyness causes us to forget that which we are called to. We get so tired from the busyness that we have nothing left to pursue with. Distraction lures us away and we forget who we are. Stop what you’re doing and get yourself together! Remember why you are here! Your goals. Your dreams. Your passion. Your calling. Your destiny. The very thing that once consumed you is what you’re supposed to pursue. That thing that has been so easy to shelf because it’s just too hard. The thing that you have allowed your mind to neglect. Pick it back up and get moving. You’ve convinced yourself that it doesn’t matter, you don’t matter, and you’re wrong! The Lord placed “that” inside of you for a reason. It belongs to you and you possess exactly what is needed to see it through!! Go back and retrace your steps and the Lord will cause you to remember and put a fire back inside of you that will recharge your next steps!! 

In the name of Jesus I pray a willingness to get back up and go! Lord infuse us with your spirit and move us beyond ourselves into our destiny. Lord forgive us for being complacent and forgetful with what you’ve given us to do. Bring a fresh vision and anointing. In Jesus name Amen!! 

As You Are 11/15/15 

20 Friday Nov 2015

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Wherever you are please hear these words and let them settle deep within you. 

No matter how you feel you’ve failed you are not a failure! Your purpose hasn’t left nor has the presence of God. He’s been there all along. Your call to journey with Jesus came with a promise that he’d never leave or forsake you. Every mistake, wrong turn, or well intended choice that turn drastically wrong will work in your favor. This is not the end!! Don’t allow the voice of the thief to come and rob you of hope and steal your peace of mind. In the Lords gentleness he leads you and I to his heart where we change from old to new, bitter to better, stained to cleansed, mess to message, orphan to child of God. It is his gift of grace that makes room for us at his table to feast with no fear. There is room for you and me there, imperfections and all. He waits to settle, squash, demolish, and conquer over everything that ever tried to convince you otherwise. Come out from your pit and sit with Jesus at the table he has prepared for you. Here is where every need is met and every desired fulfilled. Don’t try and work it out before you come…come as you are, he’s waiting with arms open wide. 

Closure 11/19/15 

19 Thursday Nov 2015

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That day started off ok. Kids at school, hubby at work, coffee in hand and I was good to go. My heart knew what that day was though…it was the anniversary of my dads home going. Although, I no longer grieve like I used to, that day, my heart ached differenly and it hit me out of the blue. As I was going through some old photos I came across one that punched me in the gut. I remembered that moment in time. How I felt. My situation. It came back like a flood and overwhelmed me with guilt. 

I had regret. Lots of it. My mind raced with what would have happened had I done things differently. There was so much fear then and now regret. Lord why now after all these years would I feel this way? I know the Lord didn’t show me this so I could wallow in self pity. No, he showed it to me so he could heal it. His intentions are for our good but no good can ever come out of a wound unless we allow Jesus access to heal it. Regret has a way of eating at us. No closure. No rest. Again, like so many other times I had to give it to him otherwise it would rot and torment me. 

Let me encourage you to not shy away from the gentle hands of Jesus when you’re in pain. We tend to retreat and succumb to solitude and isolation when we hurt. Jesus draws us out of hiding and into his safety. It’s there we find peace, healing, and release. Our burden is lifted. We get clarity. A new perspective. Hope renewed. Closure. A new chapter!! 

 

Unashamed 11/13/15 

13 Friday Nov 2015

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Good afternoon y’all! 

I hung my head in shame for surely it was my fault. Something I did or said set them off. Who else but me could be to blame? Their own words and actions convicted me everytime. I was convinced they were right; every word, unwanted advance, touch, and violation…guilty. 

Abuse, date rape, and years of bullying broke me down and I lived like this for years. Lies upon lies I bought and agreed with. It was so deep that I was full of dysfunction and toxicity. What a mess I was. Although the actions of another were not my fault it did lead to unhealthy choices of my own. It was easy to be manipulated when I failed. Seperating the two was an impossible task and I needed rescuing. 

Jesus in his loving kindness showed up in some miraculous ways to break every lie I believed. It didn’t happen overnight. Day by day he led me and I followed down a path of healing and amazing grace. He drew me in with his love and told me his truth. Truth that set this fearful and ashamed woman free. I will never deny the saving power of Christ that took every broken and shameful place in me and gave it purpose. I stand here unashamed and free and it’s all because of Jesus’ great love for me!!

Not Finished 11/12/15 

12 Thursday Nov 2015

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Good evening friends! 

Let me give it to you straight…you is good…you is kind…you is purposed. 

Your life was destined for a purpose with a specific process that’s only for you. 

I know your journey has been crazy, emotional, surprising, and tiring. It has you second guessing your dreams, your desires and future. You’re looking around wondering if any of this matters. It does! How could this possibly get me to where I want to go? It will! No one sees me. No one hears me. What I do doesn’t matter. 

The devil is a lie! 

The mere fact that I am writing this to you today is proof that you are seen, you are heard, and your life matters more than you could imagine! All of your behind the scenes are being recorded and will one day be a highlight reel for all to see. Don’t stop! Keep going! Keep doing what you love even though you feel no one is watching. Your destiny is being perfected in these small mundane moments of life. 

Don’t despise small, ordinary beginnings. Remember, Jesus was born in a smelly manger surrounded by live stock and dung. Believe that he is faithful to complete what he started and let him finish it. I can’t wait to see what he has up his sleeve!! 

It’s Messy 11/10/15 

10 Tuesday Nov 2015

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Good afternoon friends! 

Every six weeks {sometimes 4} I venture into the dreaded act of…coloring my hair. I wish I had the genes of no greys but I don’t. My father had salt and pepper hair in his early twenties and those genes have been passed down generously to me and my children {you should see my 12 year olds hair}. 

Every lady who desires to wash that grey right outta her hair knows my pain. The process is messy, time consuming, and expensive. Yet, like moths to the flame we go, like clock work, through the process because in the end we look…not old. Lol! 

When the desired result is one we seek to have we endure a process that is less than desirable to get there. Baking a cake, dying our hair, building a house, having kids, breaking free from addictions and old habits, losing weight, it all requires a process. Sadly, some give up mid process simply because the mess deceives us of our progress. What we see and feel is not always comfortable nor accurate. This is a trap…a deadly one. 

Don’t allow the mess of the process to hinder your overall goal. Can you imagine if the baker stopped mid process simply because the ingredients didn’t look like a cake? Your life is a series of processes that must finish in order for you to be the best you. It’s gonna be messy. It’s gonna be hard. People will judge. You’re gonna want to quit but I encourage you to stay the course. Give yourself some grace. Don’t look at what you see now. Hold onto the hope that this too shall pass and when it does…mmmm cake!!! 

Don’t Delay 11/9/15 

09 Monday Nov 2015

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Good morning friends! 

There is no such thing as “random” in the kingdom of God. His word says he delights in the details of our life {Psalm 37:22}. Have you ever had a thought to do something for someone? Bless someone? A name just pop up in your head? Maybe someone is heavy on your heart? Those are details!! 

For over a month I had this feeling that I was to bless a friend financially. I was sure it was the Lords leading and I needed to be obedient. However, I didn’t immediately react. I procrastinated. I got distracted. The longer I delayed the more I doubted if I should do it. Situations came up that made me question if I could even afford to do it at all. Finally, God had to remind me in a dream to do it. Uh oh! Thankfully God is merciful and slow to anger otherwise I would have been in a lot of trouble {I’m thinking like a mom}. 

A few days ago I got a call from my friend and as she told me her about her situation I just cried! I wished I would’ve been obedient sooner!! Maybe I could’ve spared her some unnecessary heartache. Oh how we need to obey because we never know who or what is on the other side of our obedience. Although I didn’t know her situation God did! 

If God has laid someone on your heart or you feel a nudging to act…do it! Make the call. Send the card. Pray. Write the check. If you don’t see how it will help or how you can do it step out anyways. He knows all and sees all and you may be the answer to someones prayers including your own. 

Homesick 11/6/15 

06 Friday Nov 2015

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Happy Friday y’all!! 

Today I am feeling homesick. There are moments that this journey wears on me. I get tired and I miss the comforts of home. I miss my family. I miss my friends. Not everything was perfect but I had a comfort zone {don’t we all} and I would have never left except to be obedient to the Lord. 

Sometimes our obedience leads us on a journey to lonely places. I recall the story of Abraham. The Lord called him out to a place where he had never been. He just went. He gathered his family and went. He didn’t have a plan. He had faith. He trusted blindly. This decision of obedience will always cost us. We will lose some things, some people too. We will leave things and people behind. We will take a huge risk in the hope of God being faithful. 

In Hebrews 11 it tells us there are rewards for such faith. It’s the hall of faith. What a list of amazing people doing extraordinary things for God. These were everyday people like you and me. They got homesick. I’m sure at times they wanted to go back {the Isrealites did}. I sometimes want to too but on days like these when home seems so far away I choose to remember everything God said and did. I take my tears to Jesus and he comforts me with hope. Hope for all he is going to do even though I don’t see how. I am comforted knowing that I am not the only one who took a risk and left home. I am encouraged that like Noah, Abraham, Sarah, and all the others who have walked a journey, that I too, will be rewarded for my faith. What an honor!