Tag: Love Your Neighbor

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“He Loved Them To The End”

As I read and studied John 13 this morning, the love of Jesus began to shine through the pages and upon my heart. As I studied, Jesus gave me a fresh perspective of his love. His love for others, including Judas. He never stopped loving him and he commanded us to us to not stop either. While Judas was betraying Jesus…Jesus actually gave the disciples this commandment:

“I give you a new commandment: love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another.
By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”-John 13:34-35 CSB
I cannot help but think of the actions of Jesus during this. He knew what was going to happen. He knew what Judas was doing. Yet, while he was being betrayed, he commanded the disciples to love one another.
Jesus never stopped loving Judas.
He never told us to stop either.
Jesus commanded us to do the opposite.
Even though Jesus knew Judas’ heart and the pain he was about to endure, he still had communion with Judas and he still washed his feet. He still humbled himself and served him.
When I began to re-read the chapter, there was an essential part that I missed in the very beginning of the chapter.
“Before the Passover Festival, Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart from this world to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.”-John 13:1 CSB
Judas was one of Jesus’ own. He loved him till the end and commands us to love him till the very end too. No string attached. Just love.
Have you ever been betrayed by someone you love? Someone you thought would never hurt you?
If you are reading this right now, I am sure you have. Jesus is the perfect example of how we are called to live our life. He is the perfect example of pure love. Pure love, love’s even when it has been betrayed. Pure love, love’s even in the midst of of being hurt. Love does not give up or waver due to to circumstance. Pure love, love’s despite people’s actions. As God’s word states, by loving those that have done us wrong, we show that we are his disciples & we are following his example.
If you are hurting because of someone as you read this, take this moment to have communion with the father and forgive them. For me, this meant me asking for forgiveness too. I am still learning to love. I still stumble from time to time. However, I choose this day, at this moment, to love like Jesus. I choose to love not based upon other people’s actions. But, love because Jesus commanded me to and gave me the perfect example to do it. I hope you take this moment to chose to love like Jesus too.
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will have#LetLoveBeMyMotive
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Speak Up, Speak Life-Being Bold & Courageous and Being Transparent.

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In the years I have been walking with God there are some reoccurring events that he has set before me. Often times, he sets people who are broken just like I used to be and needing exactly what I needed 2 years ago or sometimes even just yesterday. God has placed people directly in my path that need the tools that I have been using to help them become victorious and more invested in their relationship with God. During these times, there has been some really raw, emotional, uncomfortable topics. Such as, I used to be addicted to drugs and alcohol, there was a time in my life I didn’t want to live, and other events such as abuse, trauma, and other things people don’t like to talk about. God has  called me to be Bold & Courageous and be transparent past the point of where I ever thought I would be comfortable sharing. When I started to not care what other people thought and knew that Abba already approves, it what a done deal.

When I started sharing my testimony with people I was terrrrrified. I said ummm or like every couple seconds. Sweaty palms, heavy breathing…you know the works. As I was repeatedly obedient to God, I saw why he was telling me to do the things he was.

I began to see people accept God into their life for the first time. I have saw healing of illnesses that doctors said were permanent. I have witnessed baggage people were never meant to carry and condemnation being lifted and people being freed through what Jesus died for on the cross. When we speak boldly to people about our testimony, it gives others the chance to have the freedom we have found in our relationship with God. It makes them realize they are not alone. You would be surprised how many people are going through exactly what you are going through at this moment but are too scared to speak up.

I’m here to say that sometimes we need to lay aside our fear of disapproval, when God already said he “approves”. Speak up. Speak Life. I am also here to say we sometimes need to lay aside our pride and say we are doing a little rougher than normal instead of the automatic, “I’m good! How are you?” reply.

We are chosen by God to help certain people that really need that transparency. We are also chosen by God to have those people in our lives to love and support us when we need it most. Speak Up. Speak Life.

There is such a thing as guarding your heart because everything flows from it. However, I do believe God doesn’t ever intend for us to put up walls against the things are godly and biblical. Guard your hearts against the things that aren’t of him. We have Holy Spirit to always lead, discern, speak, and comfort us when we need him. We just have to be able to recognize and be obedient the Spirit leads us to do.

For me, being obedient has been Bold & Courageous when I was scared and didn’t want to talk about the wounds or what I was going through at that moment. Not only was being obedient freeing to me, it was freeing for others. Being obedient and transparent has been especially rewarding to me when I see others walking in freedom, truth, and love. Most importantly it shows God just how much we love him.

The devil is really good at lying to us and keeping us in the unknown of what really is going on in the spiritual world when we allow him too. So of course, he will do everything in his power to stop you from being obedient to God and fulfilling your God given purpose. There are also times when maybe its our own flesh and we are scared of what other people think, or we don’t view ourselves the way God see’s us and we don’t have much confidence. (I have been there too.)

Don’t let the anything stop you from being obedient to God. Don’t let anything stop you from helping someone else. Don’t pass up those Ah-Ha moments with God that will fill your heart so much that you will be overwhelmed with tears of joy. & Never forget that you aren’t alone in what you have faced or are facing. Speak up, Speak Life.

 

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Side note: I absolutely love that this picture I found ties into what Holy Spirit used me to write yesterday. (THANKYOU ABBA YOU ARE THE COOLEST!!!) Being Obedient means God could be using you to fulfill someone’s prayer. I don’t think there is anything more rewarding than God wanting you to be that blessing.

Want to check out yesterday’s blog talked about in the photo caption? Here’s the link! *Insert Title Here*

 

 

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My First Trip To New Orleans

As we traveled down the streets of New Orleans this week, I was overwhelmed with compassion as we passed by the amount of poor and broken people we saw sitting on every street we went down. I went to New Orleans in anticipation of eating beignets and sight seeing. As we started to get closer, my thoughts drifted to Katrina and how the town was devastated and how many people were effected. We parked and began walking and I soon realized that I was in a town full of brokenness. It was a Tuesday afternoon and I really just wanted to love on every person and dog I saw. No matter what we did in New Orleans my mind wouldn’t travel far from how I could love on these people. I have been at a spot in my life of brokenness, hopelessness, needing of healing, love, grace, and mercy. I wanted God to use me as a vessel to share the Good News. I wasn’t able to do much while I was down there, but I know there is a plan for more. God wants to use people who imitate Jesus’ character. He wants to use people who are full of mercy and grace. He wants to use people who love on the broken and aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. In that short time I was down there visiting, God brought me a sense of humility and a hunger to help those who the world looks at as “invaluable”. Even though I have never been homeless, I did once have a drug and alcohol problem. I did have a mental illness and demons that tainted my every thought and action. I did come from a place of brokenness and being completely lost. I saw someone who didn’t know what they needed, even though he was only once conversation away. I saw people who needed love and for someone to hear their testimony. I saw people who needed to be encouraged and to hear that it will be okay even if it feels like they are in an abyss. When I was walking down the streets of New Orleans, I didn’t see them, what I really saw was me. Don’t forget where God has brought you. & don’t think that people can’t change. With God everything is possible.

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”-Matthew 25:35-40

Lord, I just pray that every person that needs healing and love from you that you place people in their life to love on them and imitate you. I pray that we never forget who we used to be before we put you at the throne of our heart. I ask you Lord, for you to make our hearts more like yours everyday. I ask you to show us people who need you Lord so we can love on them the way we needed to be loved. I thank-you for the gift of salvation, the grace, mercy, and pure love that you give to me everyday. I thank-you that you never left me or forsake me when I was at my darkest. & thank-you Abba for being my light when it was dark. In Jesus name, Amen.

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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!

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Giving This Holiday Season

After I wrote an apology about not posting for a while, Holy Spirit laid something on my heart!

  • “And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.”-Acts 20:35 NLT
    • “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.”-Luke 6:32‭-‬35 ESV

I began reflecting on Christmas a little more than usual this year. I am newly married and now living across the country from my family due to my husband being apart of the military. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that I would much rather have family time than presents. (Presence instead of presents) See what I did there! Haha! As my walk with God has grown, I’ve really realized it is much more rewarding to give than to recieve. I used to have the mindset of expecting people to treat me nice, I’m a nice person so why shouldn’t I be treated nice? However, loving on that person who is having a bad day, even though they’re taking their bad day out on you, is the best thing you can do.

People continually search for love. They’re searching for Christ’s character in you. The most important time to give, is when you feel like you can’t. If we do our part, God will bless it! Even if we don’t recieve our blessing here, we know God has stored it up in heaven. Lend people things, money, ect. without expecting it back in return. (Completely contradicts the world’s standards, I know…) Be kind, show love, because it’s what we are called to do as Children of God!

How will you give a little extra this holiday season? Don’t let giving be only something you do around Christmas!