Category: Digging A Little Deeper

Diving A Little Deeper Into The Word & Heart of God

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Unlearning Unbelief & Coming Into Fullness Of Trust

Our belief in God is in direct correlation to our trust. When we have a hard time believing, we are really having a hard time trusting. There are plenty of religious doctrine, false teachers, and life experiences that have given us the opportunity to stray from truth. Our life experiences often frame what we believe is true about God, such as we often associate God to earthy father. We often associate Jesus to our siblings and our mother with the Holy Spirit. In fact, our fathers and mother’s are supposed to the example in marriage to his characteristics and qualities. However, we live in a very broken world. People who are supposed to represent him do not follow him or know him at all and we are left with brokenness and a false reality of who God truly is. Since we have been born, we have been experiencing things that shape our beliefs about who he is without even realizing it.

I have realized in my personal life I have had to unlearn almost everything I had originally learned about God. The God I did believe in was not easy to trust and completely false. The God I knew as a child was distant and a dictator and loved to punish. His love was based upon performance, if you do this you gain more favor. If you do not do this he would love you less. All of these things are completely false about who God actually is. I realized when I first came into a relationship with the Lord he was nothing like I thought he was. In fact, his word would reveal that he was closer than my breath. Even at my darkest, he loves me. While he hates sin, he met me in my mess, and died on the cross to save me from the condemnation that I always felt with religion. In fact, the more I read, the more I realized that religion killed Jesus. While the law was good, it was unattainable through flesh which is exactly why I needed saving and savior named Jesus in the first place.

Most of what I learned about God growing up was false. There have been many times in my life where I have had doubts about what God had promised and questioned his character. What I have come to find is that in these moments where I do have doubts, is that I am believing a lie about who he is. In the moments where I was scared to ask questions about who God is, the questions were an opportunity to grow closer and be freed from lies and set free in truth.

We see in the life of Abram and many other people in the bible that they had questions for God too. It is not bad to have questions, in fact, this is a god given opportunity for him to tear down the lies of who you thought he was and replace it with who he truly is.

Abram, later known as Abraham, is known for his faith. In fact, he is known as the ‘Father of Faith’. Yet as you read through Genesis 15, we see him asking God questions like,

But Abram said, “Lord God, what can you give me, since I am childless and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” Abram continued, “Look, you have given me no offspring, so a slave born in my house will be my heir.” -Genesis 15:2-3 CSB

But he said, “Lord God, how can I know that I will possess it?” -Genesis 15:8 CSB

How many times have you and I echoed questions like these? God you gave me this promise but it is not even close to what I can see. How are you going to be able to do this? Or God, what can I do to posses the promise?

God’s responses to Abram are full of grace, mercy, and love. After all, that is who God is. If you have not read Genesis 15, please do this now! Even if you have now would be a good time to read it again. In verse 4-5 the Lord speaks his promises yet again to Abram and gives him the example of the stars in the sky to hold onto. What was Abram’s response?

Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. -Genesis 15:6 CSB

The word believed here means rendered, represents him to be what he says he is to be. So, Abram believed God and rendered that he was a good father, creator and caretaker. Abram saw God as faithful, trustworthy, believeable, and morally true through and through. Just like Abram, we need to have an accurate representation of who God is in order to really be able to believe he is who he says he is and will do what he says he is going to do. As you know, we come with alot of past experiences that unintentionally shape how we see God. So how can we practically in real life unlearn the lies? How can we believe the truth of who God is and in turn have trust in him?

The first thing we can do is seek to learn and have a relationship with Jesus. Jesus is the perfect representation of God in human form. We not only have the opportunity to see his life displayed through the bible but he left us a helper, the Holy Spirit, to lead us into all truth about him. We must not just merely study the word of God or the life of Jesus. But have communion with him allowing him to speak to us through his spirit, the word, and prayer. As we seek him with all our heart we will find him (Jeremiah 29:13-14).

Just like Abram, you must allow yourself to ask God questions. If you are like me, this may take some unlearning of thinking that God is distant. God actually desires for you to ask him questions. He desires to spend time with you. He is not scared of what you may ask. In fact, these questions may be the gateway to bringing you to the truth and closer to his heart.

If you want to know God, just like any other relationship you must spend time with him. You can do this through simple things like his word, prayer, and singing songs. Even if you think you know God, there is more to know. His wisdom and love with never be reached fully on earth and neither should our exploration of who he is.

As you can see, what you believe in, especially about who God is, has a profound effect on your everyday life. There should never come a time where we don’t ask God questions. There will never be a time that he is sick of us asking questions. He loves to spend time with you! He not only loves you, but he enjoys every moment you spend with him. If you have come to a moment where you have had a hard time trusting God or maybe the thought of God wanting and liking spending time with you is hard. I challenge you to unlearn what you think you may know and learn who he really is by looking at Jesus, asking him questions, and spending time with him. Our trust is in direct correlation of what we believe. As we intentionally grow closer to God, you and I both see that he is so much greater than we could ever possibly think or imagine.

More Scripture To Meditate On:

  • All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. -2 Timothy 3:16-17 CSB
  • In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. -John 1:1-3 CSB
  • I love those who love me, and those who search for me find me. -Proverbs 8:17 CSB
  • You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you. -Isaiah 26:3 CSB
  • God is not a man, that he might lie, or a son of man, that he might change his mind. Does he speak and not act, or promise and not fulfill? -Numbers 23:19 CSB
  • Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill what he has spoken to her!” -Luke 1:45 CSB
  • Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and with justice he judges and makes war. -Revelation 19:11 CSB
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Rooted As A Cypress And Myrtle Tree

We see all throughout the bible the references to nature. Tree’s, the stars in the sky, seeds, harvests, and so much more. Why do we see this so much? One, I believe that God is a genius so he has given us examples throughout his word that we can see easily. He always knows when we need help! When we see a bird flying in the air, we can be reminded of his provision. When we see storms, we can be reminded that they do not last forever. The Holy Spirit really helped me out today in two verses in Isaiah 55.

Isaiah 55:12-13


You will indeed go out with joy and be peacefully guided; the mountains and the hills will break into singing before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush, a cypress will come up, and instead of the brier, a myrtle will come up; this will stand as a monument for the LORD, an everlasting sign that will not be destroyed.-Isaiah 55:12-13


When we make Jesus the Lord of our life, we no longer hold onto our old way of living. Heart transformation has taken place and we are now a new creation. Our roots are now in a different ecosystem, the realm of heaven. We are now new creations and our roots should be growing down deep into Christ. We see in verse 12 that even the mountains and hills break out in praise when repentance takes place. The trees of the field will clap their hands as all of this takes place. What is amazing to me is that in these two verses the profound facts of not only the tree’s. But that God uses tree’s in his word to represent our new life found through salvation given to us through Jesus Christ. Looking at verse 12, it is now revealed to us through the Holy Spirit that all of heaven rejoices from those who makes Jesus their Lord.


Do you remember the Parable of The Sower? In Matthew 13 Jesus talks about his word falling upon different types of ground. Such as someone who hears the word of God and does not understand it the enemy snatches it away, this is the one along the path. The person who hears the word of God and immediately hears it with joy but has no deep roots, this is the one that has a rocky ground and it is short lived. The last two examples are both in Isaiah 55 and The Parable of The Sower. Jesus talks about the one sown among thorns, this is one who hears the word but is caught up in the world and the deceitfulness of wealth which in turn makes it unfruitful. Then finally comes the example of good ground. The one sown on good ground hears and understands the word and yields much fruit.


In Isaiah 55, God uses the examples of us as trees when our roots are grown down deep into him. Instead of a thorn bush we will be like a cypress tree. What is amazing about a Cypress tree is that they have extensive root systems that makes them able to adapt to any environment. They are free from disease and pests and can easily tolerate high winds and ice storms. These cypress trees bloom anywhere they are planted. When we have our roots growing down deep into Christ and his word, we are no longer easily carried away by the wind. We are not a tumble weed, we are a cypress tree with a firm foundation and rooted into God himself. When the storms of life try to take us out, we will not be overtaken because our extensive roots. They are firm, strong, and unbreakable. We are able to easily adapt to new environments because of our life-giving source, God himself. As a Cypress tree, a new creation, we are able to bloom where we are planted all because we lean into God and his word once again.


God then talks about us not being a brier, but a Myrtle. A brier is just another thorny bush. Remember the parable of the sower? What is interesting about a Myrtle is that there are different stages that this tree goes through in all different seasons. This tree’s flowers need to be pruned so it can reach it’s max capacity in fruitfulness. Just as the Lord prunes us of things that will not make us yield much fruit. Another interesting fact is that the myrtle tree’s seeds last even through the winter. Just as we will never have a season that is unfruitful when we are rooted in Jesus Christ. At all times we have access to not only living water but the bread of life! God used a myrtle tree also because of the easily germinate seeds of this tree. If you are like me you have no idea what germinate meant. To germinate means to cause a seed to easily sprout wherever it is planted. Just like you and I, God takes the seeds we plants and gives it growth. The most beautiful thing about the myrtle tree is that the leaves itself are used to heal. How beautiful is it that God uses us to be messengers of the Good News to heal the nations?


When our roots are grown deep into Jesus Christ, we are like both the cypress tree and the myrtle tree. We are not easily blown away in the storms of life and we are fruitful in every season. Time is never wasted, we go through seasons in life to prepare us for what is to come next. The seeds we plant, God will always give the growth. Pruning may be painful but man does it make us fruitful! We are called to share the Love of God because as it has healed our hearts, it will heal so many others. As a cypress and myrtle tree, a new creation, a Child of God, we are an “everlasting sign that will not be destroyed”.


You my friend, are a mighty cypress and delicate myrtle tree. Let God’s word grow down deep into good soil. Hear the word of God, ask for wisdom, and apply it to your life. God wants you to linked up with his root system to be strong and mighty, heal the nations, and plants seeds no matter where you are planted or what season you are in!

Further Scripture Study:
• Matthew 13
• Colossians 2:7-9
• Ephesians 3:17-19
• Isaiah 41:19
• Isaiah 44:23
• Jeremiah 13:11
• Psalm 1:1-3

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I Should Not Have Said That-Power of Our Words

Show of hands, how many of us have spoke something and immediately regretted what we spoke? Yes, me too. Thank you Lord for your mercy and grace! On the flip side of things, I have also felt Holy Spirit shut my big mouth. If you are wondering how, continue to read! There is one scripture I declare every single day, if not multiple times a day. It is…

“Lord, set up a guard for my mouth;
keep watch at the door of my lips” -Psalm 141:3 CSB

Do not get me wrong, I have made my fair share of mistakes. I think we all have. However, through this simple prayer, Lord put a door over my mouth so I may not speak thoughtlessly. I have felt the Holy Spirit come alive and shut my mouth so I didn’t say anything I would later regret. My pastor once said, “Do I want to eat the fruit of this later?”. As we speak, even as I write, we need to have an awareness that the words we speak are going to produce something. Are we going to choose to speak life or death?

This blog used to be called Speak Life until Holy Spirit led me to change the name to Let Love Be My Motive. When I first came to Jesus I realized how much of an impact words had on me growing up. The family, friends, coworkers, and others that surrounded me spoke things into me that shaped me as a child. Ultimately, many words that were spoken over me shaped many of the decisions that I would make further on in life.

Our words have power, and it is wise for us (with the help of the Holy Spirit) to keep watch over what we are speaking into people. When people do not have a relationship with Jesus, they do not have any sense of identity. If they do, it is usually made up of what others have said about them. There are still things people have spoken to me years ago that I have to refuse accept lie and replace with God’s truth about who I actually am.

It is essential that Holy Spirit lead the way with what we are speaking. We are to edify one another. Even if Holy Spirit is leading you to correct someone, this MUST be done in love. The words we speak have the power to build up or tear down. Let us be diligent to ask Holy Spirit for help and put a door over our mouthes so we may not speak thoughtlessly.

Do you have any scripture that helps you remember to speak life? Comment below!

More Scripture To Chew On:

  • Proverbs 13:3
  • Proverbs 18:21
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:11
  • Proverbs 15:1
  • Proverbs 16:24
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Desperate For Change-The Way

Have you ever been desperate for change? You have thought to yourself if things don’t change, I do not think I can handle this much longer. It feels like no matter what you do, it never seems to pan out and things seem to be getting worse, not better. I have been there personally. In the year 2016, I could not take the abuse, thoughts of depression and suicide, or the anxiety that went along with it any longer. I needed things to change but no matter what I did, it was so temporary. Things always seemed to go back to how they were and most of the time they felt worse. Did you know that there is a woman that was desperate for change in the bible? We do not have a name for her, but we do know her story. 

This woman had a physical ailment of blood for 12 years of her life and no matter what physician she went it continued to get worse. Not only was the physical a burden, but so was her mental health. In these days, because of her physical ailment she was isolated. Whatever she sat on or touched became unclean. This would leave someone alone, a lot. Taking a step in her shoes, she felt like a burden to everyone, she was constantly rejected, and looked at as an outcast. People looked at her with disgust and nothing seemed to change year after year.  

The woman with the issue of blood was desperate for change. She was so desperate for change that when it came time for Jesus to come through the town to heal someone’s daughter who was dying, she left all concern of what others thought and left her confinement, into a crowd, probably pushing others aside, just to touch him and be healed. This woman did in fact touch Jesus’ garment, which is also a big, dare I say, no no during this time. An unclean woman touching a Rabbi? But this did not matter to her, she needed something to give, something to radically change her life. She touched Jesus garment and he asked who touched him because “he felt the power leave him”. We are told that she comes before him, fear and trembling, fell at his feet, and told him the whole truth (everything not missing one part).  

I can relate to this woman. I needed change. I was sick of going through what the doctor’s called cycles. As I would get happy, I would soon realize that on the flip side of things, I would soon be hit by depression and suicidal thoughts. I tried to stay sober. I tried to get better. I tried and tried again. But the new medications made me a zombie, or they would make me attempt suicide yet again. I did not want to go through this anymore, I wanted to be healed despite what the doctors said. I wanted to feel whole. I wanted to desperately to not go through the abuse I was enduring. I needed a way out. 

What I did not know was that Jesus was about to change everything. I called out to him that cold February day in desperation of change. I, just as the woman with the issue of blood, told him the whole truth. I asked him why, I confessed all that I could remember I had done wrong, and I told him I could not do this any longer. I asked for help, I asked for change, I asked for wholeness, and to truly feel loved. I did not realize what I was going to get in return was a relationship with him. 

The woman with the issue of blood came to Jesus with boldness and a need. Jesus response to her was one of compassion and love. The first thing he said to her was who she was, his daughter. In that moment, just like I was, she was scared because of how she had been treated by others but so desperately needed to be loved. After he called her by who she was, he told her that her belief and trust had made her well and to go in peace and be healed in her affliction. The phrase go in peace that Jesus spoke means, proper wholeness that is a gift from God and to be healed of your affliction meant to be healthy in body from a disease that is painful and debilitating. Jesus response to the woman who was rejected by everyone, and no one had answers for was that he way the way, he was all she needed. Little did I know when I called out to God, he was all I needed too. 

What Jesus did for us is something no one could ever do. Just based off of this passage of scripture we see that he heals our mind, soul, and body. If we just touch the hem of his garment in desperation for change, pouring out our hearts before him in faith, he meets us there. He meets the outcasts, the drug addicts, and the mentally ill. He met the woman with the issue of blood, he met me, and he is willing to meet you there too. What people try to use against you, God will use for good. He will heal your broken heart and show you how beautiful things can be in time spent with him. With Jesus you will feel love that you have never felt before, total acceptance, unrelenting forgiveness, and hope and excitement for the future. With Jesus you will realize that nothing is impossible and nothing you do or say (now, later, or back then) can change his mind of how much he loves you. He is love and you were created to be loved and to love God and others. 

If you are desperate for change, I ask you to follow the example of the woman with the issue of blood that is no longer an issue but walked in freedom, wholeness of mind, soul, and spirit. One moment spent with Jesus changed everything. As a person who needed change because they could not see to live another day, I ask you to pour out your heart before the Lord with expectation that he is going to meet you there with love and compassion. I do not know your story, but he does and is calling you by name. When we go before the Lord, touching the hem of his garment, pouring out our hearts before him we can expect for the thing we so desperately need, love and change. Jesus changed everything for this woman, for me, and wants to change everything for you too. Will you lay your heart at his feet today? 

Further Scripture Study: 

  • Mark 5:21-30 
  • Jeremiah 31: 3 
  • John 3:16-17 
  • Psalm 139:17 
  • John 14:6 
  • Matthew 11:28 
  • Isaiah 40:28-31 

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Rooted In Him.

Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in [union with] Him [reflecting His character in the things you do and say—living lives that lead others away from sin], having been deeply rooted [in Him] and now being continually built up in Him and [becoming increasingly more] established in your faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing in it with gratitude.
COLOSSIANS 2:6‭-‬7 AMP

There is a deep need for us as Christian’s to have our roots running deep into Jesus Christ himself. Being rooted actually means being thoroughly grounded. Jesus often used plants, fields, and other things in nature to help us understand what he was actually trying to say. So, what is God’s word speaking to us here? Why are roots so important?

Roots are needed first and foremost for survival. Without roots, the plant cannot get the proper nutrients that is needed to survive. Without Jesus Christ, his word, and fellowship with him we cannot spiritually grow. He is the God of growth. If we have out roots in something else such as things of this world we are being fed something other than life. The second reason why plants and we as believers need roots is to avoid erosion of the soil (foundation). When storms come we no longer need to worry if we are going to be carried away. Jesus Christ being our soild foundation is established, steadfast in every situation, and our refuge and protector in the storm.

Being rooted in Jesus Christ is essential for our spiritual growth. Not only is being rooted in Jesus Christ essential for our growth, but this causes us to be able to withstand whatever the fallen world throws at us.

Is what your rooted in giving you life? Let your roots run deep into him, bearing ripe and juicy fruit in every season!