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Posted on February 22, 2018February 22, 2018 by Let Love Be My Motive — Leave a comment

The Tail of A Lost Pup (See what I did there…)

Good morning everyone!

I hope everyone had a restful night, but if it was anything like the Lunney Household, it was anything but. (Not complaining…Let me tell you why!)

We left church around 9pm as it still rained and flooded the area. We came to a little dog in the road running around with a collar (no tag), wet and lost. My husband looked at me and of course I told him to put the little guy in the car! We brought him home and our puppy was, to say the least, having a puppy moment. Playing with her new friend or trying to establish dominance, I’m not really sure. Needless to say, we talked about what to do next. We called people who we thought could help and they told us to take him to the vet in the morning and see if he has a microchip. I posted all over facebook pages for lost pets and spouse pages wondering who could’ve lost their baby. This pupper is seriously the sweetest. We drove around the neighborhood searching for people who may have lost him, but came to another dead end. We opened the car door to bring him in and he dashed into the woods. (Yep, that really happened.) My husband and I prayed as we went to bed. He soon fell asleep and I began to pray to God, asking him to put protection over this little pupper that I found…and then lost. I prayed for God’s will to be done and for him to go home or for him to find safety. HERE’S WHERE IT GETS GOOD. My husband woke up this morning and opened the door to let our puppy and this little guy slept on our porch all night. Ughhh, my heart! I’m sure you are thinking a couple things…1.How did she lose a lost dog? 2. This poor puppy. & 3. Why is she telling me this?

Here is why…

During my quiet time Holy Spirit has revealed to me some things through this little guy. (So cool that he can use a puppy to bring revelation and a blog post to share with you all!)

We have all been this puppy. Searching for home. Searching for love, care, and protection. We all have been lost, myself included. How often do we choose being lost in the woods when God has provided us with everything we need? We settle for the woods because, well its adventurous and we don’t really know God when we first come to him. Our old life looks pretty appealing when God challenges us on our behaviors and worldly ways. (Or for this little pup, peeing on the laundry basket…) So we venture out in the woods, lost, “alone”, and searching for home. We can never be fulfilled unless it’s through our identity in Christ. We will continually search and even sometimes settle for less than what God has to offer, like the porch for instance.

Even if you were to get lost, fall off track, I know God still remains the same. The promises of his word tell me so!

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”-Deuteronomy 31:6

It took faith for this dog to show up on our porch this morning. He ran away from us, but something drew him back to our home. Was it the love we showed him while he was here for a brief moment? When you get a taste of what God, his pure,steadfast love…you don’t travel far into the woods before you realize what you needed was back where you just were. We didn’t need the puppy to clean up before he entered our home. God doesn’t need you to clean up before you ask him into your heart. He wants you as you are at this very moment.

I just posted a verse yesterday on Instagram and it’s really fitting for what has transpired over the past 24 hours.

“This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”-Jeremiah 29:10-13

God doesn’t say we aren’t going to go through trails or tribulation’s. He promises us that he hears our prayers and that we will find him when we seek him wholeheartedly. He promises us plans to prosper. Plans to prosper doesn’t always line up with what we think is best. But often what we go through, is what shapes us into Christ-like character and puts us exactly where we need to be. Or for this lost pup, in a warm house out of the rain, snoozing on the floor.

Did God just use a dog to reveal all this to me? Yes, yes he did. That’s the cool thing about God. He will speak to you in ways that you will listen.

Posted on December 31, 2017 by Let Love Be My Motive — Leave a comment

Looking Back On 2017: WOW!!!

I have had a goal for the past 4 years and it was to get to know God and put him first. I can finally say, in 2017 it has been accomplished. This past year, as it comes to end has shown me who I am in Christ. Nothing is more powerful than knowing your identity in Christ. When I faced trials and tribulations, the more I knew my Papa and declared his promises, the better off I was! I knew throughout 2017:

“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”-Romans 8:28 CSB
Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy — dwell on these things. Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.-Philippians 4:6‭-‬9 CSB
Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another. No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us and his love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and we testify that the Father has sent his Son as the world’s Savior. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God — God remains in him and he in God. And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.-1 John 4:10‭-‬16 CSB
We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother or sister whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And we have this command from him: The one who loves God must also love his brother and sister.-1 John 4:19‭-‬21 CSB

Those are just some of God’s promises that got me through. God has inspired me to write not only this blog, but I am working on a book. He gave me my amazing husband this past year and I got a beautiful puppy this CHRISTmas! God has provided abundantly in my finances and has healed me of Bipolar Disorder. (You can check out the links below to see more on mental health) I’ve saw people find God that I prayed for and other miracles happen before my eyes! The list goes on of how God has blessed me this year.

As this year approaches I want to encourage you to keep a prayer journal to show what Abba has brought you to and through. I also remind you that “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”-Romans 8:37‭-‬39 CSB

If we put God at the throne of our hearts where he belongs you will watch 2018 be one of the best years of your life! I’m telling you this from my experience!

Did you reach any of your goals in 2017? What are some in 2018?

Thankyou to all those who have supported me through this blog. May God bless you abundantly in this next year to come. My hope is for you to grow into a deeper & more intimate relationship this year with Abba. That you always keep him on the throne of your heart. I pray he gives you a boldness to show people who may not know him, what pure love really looks like by showing Christ’s example. I pray you hold onto your lifelines of your relationship with God: his word, prayer, and a church family who loves God, who pushes you to know him more!

Here’s to 2018!

Posted on November 26, 2017 by Let Love Be My Motive — Leave a comment

Submit To Reach The Summit

“He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” -Matthew 17:20 (NIV)

Have you ever been in a spot in your life when you have just said, “Lord, I don’t know what to do, please help me!”?

This was me after service today, as I came to the end of myself and stopped trying to do things on my own. I asked Holy Spirit to guide me. I feel as though, often our prayers are almost scripted. They almost become routine, when we should be transparent with Abba 24/7. He knows what we are going to say before we say it, he knows what we need before we ask, and knows us better than we know ourselves. He created us!

“Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.” -Psalm 100:3

Instead of focusing on the mountain before us, we should be focused on God and his strength, not trying to do things on our own. We will become weary relying on our flesh to fight the battle. When we really should be giving these burdens to God because he cares.

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” -1 Peter 5:7

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” -Matthew 11:28-30

Instead of focusing on the mountain before us, we should be declaring biblical truth and shouting who we are in Christ at anything we know isn’t from our Father. satan and his little minons tremble at the name of Jesus.
“The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” -Luke 10:17

We got back home and were talking about the set of circumstances that we have been faced with and randomly worship music began to play out of nowhere. (Thanks Abba! Perfect timing as always!) Instead of looking at the mountain we should be praising him through the storm. Our circumstances may change, but there is one thing that remains the same, God!

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”-Hebrews 13:8

This brings me to the rest of Psalm 100…

“Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” -Psalm 100

Instead of complaining about what is before us, we should be acknowledging the circumstances he has brought us out of before. We should be praising him with an attitude of thanksgiving. The enemy gets pleasure out of us looking at the mountain and spewing death. Don’t let him get the glory in your life instead of God! We know because we love God, and want his will, not our own, that everything will turn out for the good through every single circumstance. (Romans 8:28)

It’s easier said than done! I know, because I’m preaching to myself. Anything I write in my posts are things that I have dealt with or are currently dealing with. You’re never alone!

Are you looking at your circumstances or are you looking at God?
Are you declaring biblical truth?
Do you know the authority you have inside of you? “Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”-Luke 10:19-20
Are you praising God through the storm?
Are you using the past blessings to help you get through?

This is just some of the things Holy Spirit has laid on my heart today. The enemy likes us to look at our circumstances instead of God because he knows what happens to him in the end. The battle is already won!

Posted on November 9, 2017February 15, 2018 by Let Love Be My Motive — 2 Comments

The Day God Saved Me From Suicide

Due to the detail of this article, it may be a little graphic to some.

It was a cold February day as I woke up and the tormenting thoughts still hadn’t went away. I had been hospitalized,many times, for suicidal thoughts, attempts, and self-harm since 2008. I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder II (manic-depressive), anxiety, ADHD, and PTSD in 2012. I was put on medication since a very early age to cope with my ongoing symptoms. I even tried drugs and alcohol to cope with my symptoms. No matter what I tried to do, the pain I felt from all the abuse, the thoughts of wanting the pain to go away and not come back, the continual thoughts of it will never get better wouldn’t go away. I had suicidal thoughts from the time I got up, till the time I went to bed from October 2015-February 2016. I got out of bed, went to college, worked, and went home. I tired every single coping skill they gave you in the hospital and I was taking my medication as prescribed. Why wasn’t this emptiness, this hopelessness, this feeling of not having a purpose not going away!?! I got up, and started screaming at God. I was angry. Why did all this happen to me? I named off every single thing that had ever happened to me, big or little. If I am trying to get help, why isn’t it working!?!? Why won’t the pain go away!? Why won’t these thoughts go away!? I was about to get into the shower and I picked up the razor blade and sliced my leg, just to feel the pain temporarily go away. I began and it was like I couldn’t stop. I was sobbing on the floor in my bathroom, alone and bleeding out my sorrows. I ended up messaging my school administrator explaining that I was in no shape or form to come in, but was instructed to come in because Monday’s were mandatory. I drove up to school, crying, begging, and screaming about what was going on in my life. I walked into school and was immediately asked what was wrong. I was speechless. I was drowning and no one saw it and if they did see, they couldn’t help me. I had written a suicide note the day before, and the first line stated was, “I first of all want to say I’m sorry, this wasn’t meant to hurt any of you…”

I often hear of people saying suicide is selfish… When dealing with these thoughts for so long, the only thing that kept me here was the fact I would’ve hurt others. It’s a constant pain that never went away. I ended up being released from school and drove up to the Blue Water Bridge. I called my mother, explaining that I was so tired and I couldn’t do it anymore. I was so tired of trying for thing to get better temporarily and for it all to come back. My Mom knew what was going on and she gave me the best advice she ever could’ve…she instructed me to pray.

I begged out for a God… If you are real God, please, PLEASE, show me, please make it go away. I am so tired of doing this on my own. I can’t anymore. Please help me. A sense of peace, came over me. My heart no longer felt like it was physically breaking, I felt an urge to go back home and sleep.

I dealt with these thoughts since I was 15 years old. The very last time I had suicidal thoughts was on that cold February day when I asked God to come into my life. I can’t thank him enough for saving me on that cold winter day. I will continue, later on, about my recovery process.

Look y’all, if you are dealing with that pain I dealt with, I know it’s real, I know it hurts, and I know you want it to go away. But can I tell you, that suicide isn’t the answer… Can I tell you that as big as the demons your facing, God is so much bigger. Can I tell you that you’re not alone and I’ve been there… Can I tell you that God has since then healed me and has used what I’ve been through to help others get through Mental Illness and Abuse.

I take it ,now, as a compliment. All the thoughts and work the devil and his crew surrounded me with. He knew how big of a threat I would be when I was filled with God.

You see, the devil is here, to lie, and destroy everything God has planned for you… and well God gives you life. He does a lot more than that. He gives you plans to prosper. His love is constant. His love is pure! He wants you tell him what is overwhelming you, because he cares. Those anxious thoughts you’ve been dealing with, aren’t from him. Those burdens, the pain you feel, you were never meant to carry. If you feel lost, reach up. If you feel like you don’t fit in, it’s because you’re not supposed to. We live in a world, filled with evil. Let the love and compassion you have deep down inside you be the light for others. You are here on this earth, at this very moment, for a very specific purpose. God said he needed one of you and there’s no one that will ever be able to fill the purpose he has for you!

I am just reminded to where I was to where I am now.

I don’t have a relationship with God because someone told me to… I have one because he saved my life and has continually poured his constant love upon me. I have a relationship with Abba because as soon as I invited him in, he was like “Finally, I have been wanting to help you for so long.” When I mess up, he cheers me on to do the right thing next time.

We believe a lot of lies about who God is.

If you are struggling please reach out to him and ask him to help. I am here too. Recovery is real. But we can’t do it on our own.

Posted on November 1, 2017 by Let Love Be My Motive — 1 Comment

I Once Was Lost But Now I Am Found

Back when I was in elementary school I was always really excited when someone chose me to be on their kickball team. In high school, I was ecstatic when I finally was chose to play on the volleyball team. I am now, thankful, my husband chooses to love me every single day. We all love the feeling of being accepted and that someone wants us.

Did you know God chose YOU?

“For you are a holy people [set apart] to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be a people for His own possession [that is, His very special treasure].”

‭‭DEUTERONOMY‬ ‭7:6‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Chose:

eklégomai (from 1537 /ek, “out of” and 3004 /légō, “speaking to a conclusion”)

properly, to select (choose) out of, by a highly deliberate choice (i.e. real heart-preference) with a definite outcome (as with the destination of divine selection for salvation).

http://biblehub.com/greek/1586.htm

You were deliberately chosen by God.

The same guy who made the earth with all its beautiful landscape decided he needed one of you too.

To me, I’m just like wow, really? You, the guy who can say “Let there be light!” & there was light, needed me!?!?!?

I feel like the world we live in thinks that we choose him…

That we are higher than God…

Like being a Child of God, in a sense, is a choice…

Which to a certain extent it is, because God gave us free will. He gave us free will to choose to love him, choose to live in his presence and to choose to abide by his will.

Many of you know part of my testimony. Dealing with mental illness and the suicidal thoughts that went with them for most of my life. I look back now and realize that I can now help the lost and broken because of everything I’ve went through. If I would’ve taken my life all every time I wanted to, I wouldn’t have seen the miracles happen before me. I wouldn’t of been able to have been healed and live my life without tormenting thoughts. I wouldn’t have been able to have been healed of the abuse and trauma. I wouldn’t be able to help others who have been through the exact same thing and are in the position I once was is. I realize, even though God doesn’t want his children to hurt, that I would go through everything all over again just to help people know who God truly is. I realize that God chose me. That I am worthy of love, laughter, and joyfulness. I am worth so much more than what the enemy snuck in and told me I was worth. If I committed suicide, I wouldn’t of lived to see my prayers answered to marry Brad. A couple people know, but most of you don’t… When I was lost, I prayed for this man to be my husband. I saw something in him that I was attracted to. Now I know, that it was Christ. If I committed suicide I would’ve never moved to Louisiana and I wouldn’t have my dreams begin to unfold before my eyes.

God chose you because he knows how much this crazy world can benefit from you being in it!

God chose you because he accepts you exactly where you are in life.

God chose you because he loves you.

God chose you because other people need you to help them exactly what you’ve been through or gone through.

God chose you because he sees what amazingly beautiful things you can do!

The list is endless of why God chose you.

It still blows my mind to this day to think that God chose me to be his daughter. God is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I pray that if you haven’t invited God into your life that you do so. He wants to love on you like you’ve never been loved on before. His love is pure. If you do know God I pray that you meditate in the beauty of being his child and chosen by him. It’s truly beautiful when you think about it!

Scripture:

‭‭DEUTERONOMY‬ ‭7:6‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed and placed and purposefully planted you, so that you would go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit will remain and be lasting, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name [as My representative] He may give to you.”

‭‭JOHN‬ ‭15:16‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens [outsiders without rights of citizenship], but you are fellow citizens with the saints (God’s people), and are [members] of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the [chief] Cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together, and it continues [to increase] growing into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, set apart, and sacred to the presence of the Lord]. In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”

‭‭EPHESIANS‬ ‭2:19-22‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1:3-6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬