THE BRIDES CLUB BLOG – #17

Leave a comment

SISTER

John 15:15

I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.

If it wasn’t enough, to be called His friend, we are now His sisters, siblings within the predestined body.

I speak for myself when I say this, but within the Body of Christ I have always felt strongly that I was made to play a sisterly role, within.

You know, similar to that sister you get to confide in, the only one who knows all your secrets.

The one who isn’t afraid to tell you the truth; in as much love as it requires. The one who has your best interest at heart. The one who is rooting for you like none other. The one who defends you, and believes in you, possibly more than you believe in yourself.

That kind of sister, the one who will never let you quit and encourages you, in the Lord every step of the way:

Be strong and immovable…

1 Corinthians 15:58

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

Don’t you know:

Joshua 1:9

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Mark 9:23

“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”

Shall anything ever be impossible for God?:

Luke 1:37

For with God nothing will be impossible.”

AMP

For with God nothing [is or ever] shall be impossible.”

“So, then nothing is impossible for you either!”

“You can do it!” “Keep going!” “Keep at it!” “How will you know what will (be)come of that thing if you don’t continue on?…”

“Forget what they say, forget what they think! What does God say? What does God think?”

“You ARE predestined, you ARE preassigned to purpose!” “…and don’t you ever forget it”

“You belong to God, you are not who they say you are, YOU ARE, who He says you are!”

“Get bigger standards, higher ones. If they don’t meet them or complain about them; they, (the individual) weren’t for you.” “Your standards are in heaven, which is where they ought to be!”

“Dream big!” “Ohhh bigger!” “Is that the biggest you can think up? I still think there is more in you!” “You can, and you will!” “Don’t allow anyone to talk you out of your God given gifting(s) and purpose!” “The gifts of God are irrevocable.” “Yes, you are, one of one, keep that in mind the next time you try and aim for less than God has for you.”

“Quite frankly, resist the devil. Cling to God!”

You are now coheirs in Christ:

Romans 8:17

And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering

Isaiah 43:1

But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.

John 1:12

But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become daughters of God.

Galatians 3:26

For you are all daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Hoping these scriptures and phrases regarding encouragement, encourages you. Hoping you also get the gist of the type of sister, I am, within the Body.

Hopefully it gets you thinking, wondering and pondering the following question :

What type|kind of sister do you want to be towards the Body of Christ?

Now, don’t stop pursuing Him about it, until you are her.

Too often we forget that we were made to resemble a siblings love and communication, amongst the body of believers. Yes, we might all have different roles and play different parts within the Body, but God has made no mistake when He assigned each of us to it, in Him.

His Bride, By Design

Keep Reading…

THE BRIDES CLUB BLOG – #16

Leave a comment

HEALED

Malachi 4:2

“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.

1 Corinthians 12:9

The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing.

Revelation 22:2

It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.

Luke 5:32

I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”

Psalm 107:20-21

He sent out his word and healed them, snatching them from the door of death.

Let them praise the LORD for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them.

Imagine a God who holds the healing of nations in the palm of His hand, being mindful of you. Jesus reminds those that followed that He came for the sinners who know they need repentance in Luke 5:32.

We are spiritual beings, not only are we spirit, but we are comprised of mind, body, soul and spirit; each a part, or place that the Lord is able to heal. And to think that we have a God that not only heals those parts of us, but also heals our land as well, is incomparable.

2 Corinthians 7:14

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

For the one who fears His name. There is healing in the wing of the Son of God. We are complex beings and Psalm 139:14 reminds us of it; Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

God could have made us to be just spirit, but He didn’t. He could have designed us to just be physical beings, but He didn’t. He has intricately woven us together, thinking of every detail of our existence before we were a thought to anyone else, (and that includes the vessels He chose to bring our lives to full maturation through).

Healing is on the wing of the Sun of Righteousness. What kind of Maker would He be? Engineer and Master Builder, so to speak if He did not incorporate or plan for our healing, recovery and restoration? He is God, The Creator. The question’s rhetorical, but not a very good one, if you ask me. Any company that makes practically anything, has a repair department. Any and all companies have a place that fixes what they have designed, made or constructed. No Expert Maker would not take into consideration the truth of the matter, that what they created may, at times, need fixing.

As it relates to human kind, the cause is simple, the root of each of our need for much of our healing is sin; but the repatriation isn’t always that simple.

We understand that Jesus Christ came to bear our sins, but He also came to restore right standing. You see:

⁃ fearing the name of the Lord, is right standing – with a response from heaven that follows

⁃ “the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.”

⁃ being filled by the Spirit of the Living God, is right standing – with a response and gifting from heaven that follows

⁃ “The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing.”

⁃ A restored and revived conscience, as well as a renewed vision, is right standing – with a response from heaven that follows

⁃ “On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.”

⁃ Repentance, is right standing – with a response from heaven that follows

⁃ “I have come to call…”

⁃ Being dependent on Jesus, is rights standing – with a response from heaven that follows

⁃ “Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.”

⁃ Praying and seeking the One who can not be seen, is right standing – with a response from heaven that follows

⁃ “I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”

We are made up of mind, body, soul and spirit, and we were made by a Maker Who fully knows how to heal what is in need of His healing wing; no matter the part of us is in need of that healing. We were designed by a Maker Who has never made a mistake. He does not make mistakes, He is never, not once has He ever been mistaken. Every type of healing is available at the throne of grace, and at the feet of our King. There is not one who will ever be left undone in His presence. He accomplishes what He sets out to do. If He said it, He will complete it. If He promises, it is as good as delivered. There is no end to our healed, here on earth, what God has done continues to flow as we grow, flourish and unravel in His presence.

Healed.

is a full sentence, as it relates to the promises and provision of our Maker.

His Bride, By Design

Keep Reading…

THE BRIDES CLUB BLOG – #15

Leave a comment

BELOVED

We live in a world where the word love, is passed around seemingly loosely. Many can recite and list the things they “love” and have grown a strong affection for, or after. The thing about the word love is that, in the literal sense it has such a deeper and more profound meaning. God is love (1 John 4:7-21). He is not described as loving, but He is, in Himself the word, Love.

So can we suggest that the word love is something way more Holy, way more Sacred, and way more Vast than we let on? Especially when we are using it to describe our “love” or fierce like, for something.

Can I inform you that all of God, loves all of you? He is passionately and madly in love with you. He loves the way He’s made you and He loves what He sees when He looks at you.

You are His beloved. You didn’t have to do a thing to earn it; and at the onset, God saw you, and He loved you extremely.

God has never mistaken His affection towards you and He never will. He wasn’t mistaken with His giving to you. Very often, John 3:16 is referenced to express the deep love that God has for us. The fact that He gave His only Son for us should probably be enough to express to one, the depth of One’s love. Beyond the truth of Jesus being the visible and tangible love of God expressed towards us, can we obsess over the truth that God never needed us here?

He was completely satisfied within Himself and as the Trinity. He didn’t need you and I to inhabit the earth. He delighted in us so much that He wanted us here. He loved the idea of our presence here on earth so much that He could not help Himself.

Ever plan for the preparation of a newborn? Ever pray for the family you have now and prepare yourself for them? Ever believe God with everything in you for a thing, and have Him answer you with the, exact thing? What excitement there is in your heart. What an overwhelming feeling of love and flat out gratitude, we have when things like this occur. We feel a stirring on the inside because of how much joy we receive from and through those things. We look at our blessing(s) with a sense of awe and wonder. And God sees you and I no differently. He sees us, and He is beaming with pride.

He is full of sincere and endless love towards us. A love like the One He has expressed to us, doesn’t come any better than, God’s love. If you ever want to know what true love looks, smells, acts like and is best expressed towards you. Look to Him, look to Jesus, look to God within you, (Holy Spirit). His love overwhelms, His love is all encompassing, His love covers. His love protects, His love provides. He is God and there is no other. He is God and you are His beloved.

Receive it, and dwell and abide in this endless truth.

Ephesians 3:19

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

His Bride, By Design

Keep Reading…

THE BRIDES CLUB BLOG – #14

Leave a comment

FRIEND (OF JESUS)

The first word that comes to mind when I think about being a friend of Jesus, is the word intimacy. Intimacy can oftentimes be associated with a type of love expressed to a spouse or significant other; but it greatly and indefinitely can be used to describe the love and friendship we are to have with Jesus.

I can easily recall being a young girl; and now that I think about it, appreciate the intentionality and special time given while cultivating some decades of friendships. I remember how intentional we were about speaking over the phone, spending quality time, gathering together, conducting planned and themed outings, and just lounging around with one another over each others houses. These were some tight knit friendships, but those types of friendships did not come without the “i” word that I mentioned earlier.

intimacy:

1. :familiarity

2. : something of a personal or private nature

While on the topic of friendship, I can not help but to think about the relationship that Jesus had with His disciples. I can imagine John reclining into Jesus’s bosom (John 13:23). I can picture the laughs that they had together as they went about doing the Father’s will. I can sense the brotherhood amongst them through the reading of scripture (Mark 3:17). I can guess that at times, His disciples might have looked at Jesus as though He was crazy regarding some of the request He made proceeding miracles He’d orchestrated (Matthew 14:13-21, Matthew 9:24, Mark 4:35-41). I can imagine the feelings the disciples felt in the moments they thought they had lost their Savior, Lord, brother and friend. I can picture the shock of expression, as He revealed Himself as the Risen King before them, following His death and burial (Luke 24:13-35).

This leads me back to reflecting on the point of being a friend of Jesus. There really can be no friendship without the intimacy found in cultivating a personal relationship with Him. There is no friendship apart from revelation (John 15:15). There can’t be a friendship with Jesus if there is no knowing. If there is no understanding, there is no relationship.

Jesus has called you into a covenantal relationship with Him. One where you know Him as deeply as He knows you. One where you search out His heart and find it|Him. One where you long for His presence, a place of longing that cultivates a friendship that only Jesus could give. One where He fulfills and completes that longing, and grants you the response of His presence, with you.

You were made for a real relationship and friendship with Jesus. Don’t settle for knowing about Him, but never really knowing Him.

Don’t settle for a life of receiving a Savior, but not actually having connection with that Savior.

God is a relational God, you are supposed to desire closeness with Him.

Here are a few scriptures that can help you stir up your faith in the area of friendship with Jesus:

John 15:15

I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.

Romans 8:17

And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

Proverbs 18:24

There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother

Galatians 3:26

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 4:6-7

And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.”

Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.

Ephesians 1:5

God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

Ephesians 4:7

However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.

His Bride, By Design

Keep Reading…

THE BRIDES CLUB BLOG – #13

Leave a comment

HEALED

Emotionally healed, mentally healed, physically healed and spiritually healed. God’s willingness to heal never ceases; it has no end and there is no limit to what He is capable of. (Ephesians 3:20)

God came to heal the whole of you, not to heal you in part, but to heal you in your entirety.

John 8:36 AMP

So if the Son makes you free, then you are unquestionably free.

How would it make you feel, to know that Someone, did something, for you,

that you’d never have to pay back or give in return for?

Isaiah 53:5

But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.

AMP

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was crushed for our wickedness [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing]; The punishment [required] for our well-being fell on Him, And by His stripes (wounds) we are healed.

How would it feel to know that:

1. You’d never have to even thank Him for it?

2. The Person didn’t do it in exchange for anything, any reward or prize?

3. You could freely receive it?

4. And that He has it all reserved for you?

5. No one could step in to receive what He has for you, or stand in your place, and that He just decided to give it to you, in spite of you!

Could you imagine skipping on the opportunity?

Could you imagine skipping out on the gift?

Could you imagine skipping on this blessing and skipping out on the grace and mercy?

That is what we do each and every time we do not recieve the things Jesus Christ died for us to have?

The reason for not accepting what Jesus died for us to have may differ amongst individuals|believers. Some may still carry some sort of shame and feelings of unworthiness, while others might not know the extent in which Jesus Christ died, so that they could be free. No matter the cause, the price that was paid for yours and my sin, reconciliation, and redemption was too costly for anyone not to receive ALL that Jesus Christ died for them to have.

Could you imagine taking bits and pieces of what God offers, but never having it all?

It’s practically a form robbery; you, or the enemy of your soul, would essentially be robbing you(rself) of the complete, full and detailed gift package of God’s sacrifice of His One and Only begotten Son.

Here’s a list of some things that He’s died for you and I to have:

Romans 5:6-8

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

1 John 2:2

He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

John 1:16-17

From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:2

It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place.

John 10:9-10

Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

John 17:22

“I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one.

Ephesians 1:3-4

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.

1 Peter 2:24

He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.

Christ accomplished through death:

1. The removal and expulsion of our sins. (Isaiah 53:6, John 1:29, Hebrew 9:26)

2. The removal of God’s just wrath against us, in replacement for His favor. (Romans 3:25-26, Hebrews 2:17, 1 John 4:10)

3. The reconciliation of us (and our relationship with|) to God. (Romans 5:10-11)

4. Our deliverance and redemption of captivity through the payment and price of his death. (Galatians 3:13-14, Romans 3:24, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 Corinthians 6:20)

5. The disarming and defeat of the power of darkness. (Colossians 2:13-14, Colossians 3:15)

Here’s a prayer to recite concerning receiving it all:

John 17:20

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.

Jesus Christ, I believe that You prayed for me. I believe that Your decision concerning my life was spoken for by Your actions on the cross and, that thereafter. I believe that You died, was buried, and rose on the third day in order to accomplish what I never could for myself. I believe that Your first coming was necessary. I believe that God the Father predestined my redemption story even before Adam and Eve were assigned here on earth. I believe that the reconciliation of my relationship to God, the Father was in motion before He said, “let there be light”. I know that Your thoughts towards me are good and I believe that You left no work undone here on earth, past the moment Your ascension.

You came to accomplish all that was needed in order for me to live fully fruitful in all areas and aspects of my life. I believe that when You said that it was finished, You meant it. I believe that You have laid the foundation and have made every necessary arrangement for me to live a whole, healed and healthy life until You return. Help me to walk in, and possess that living. In Your Name and Your Name alone, I pray, Amen.

His Bride, By Design

Keep Reading…

THE BRIDES CLUB BLOG – #12

Leave a comment

BLESSED

Psalm 113:2-3

Blessed be the name of the LORD now and forever. Everywhere—from east to west— praise the name of the LORD. For the LORD is high above the nations; his glory is higher than the heavens. Who can be compared with the LORD our God, who is enthroned on high?

Proverbs 18:10

The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.

What about blessing the Lord? What about blessing the name of the Lord? What about the joy we receive regarding blessing the name of the Lord? What about the blessings that overtake us when we truly worship and praise Him?

What about the blessing it is in blessing the name of the Lord? Do I want the blessing of the Lord to overtake my life? Of course I do! But, do I also want to bless the Lord as well? Absolutely!

He is my Maker, the Lord, my God (in whom I trust), and He is worthy of praise.

Matthew 16:17

Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.

God wants you to know who He is. The Spirit of the Lord wants to reveal to you who the true and living God is, descriptively. He wants you to factually be grounded in the truth of who He is. He wants you to be able to know who God is and what He is capable of. He wants you to recite and recall His goodness in your life and in the life of others (ex. Your personal testimonies and the stories of Bible characters that came before us.)

Matthew 16:15-16

Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

He cares, what you think of Him. He cares that you know what He is able to do.

He does not have an issue with defending His own honor and showing others or doubters, His power. (See the story of Moses for reference.) He is not a God who demands our praise without earning our trust, or showing us that He is trustworthy. He is the God, who graciously reveals Himself to the oh so undeserving. He knows that He is the One who is deserving and has|had no problem proving this to us, through His actions.

Jeremiah 32:27

“I am the LORD, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?

Deuteronomy 32:27

But I feared the taunt of Israel’s enemy, who might misunderstand and say, “Our own power has triumphed! The LORD had nothing to do with this!”’

1 Samuel 12:22

The LORD will not abandon his people, because that would dishonor his great name. For it has pleased the LORD to make you his very own people.

Psalm 106:8

Even so, he saved them— to defend the honor of his name and to demonstrate his mighty power.

Isaiah 37:35

‘For my own honor and for the sake of my servant David, I will defend this city and protect it.’”

Isaiah 48:11

I will rescue you for my sake— yes, for my own sake! I will not let my reputation be tarnished, and I will not share my glory with idols!

Psalm 34:5

Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.

Hebrews 13:7-9

Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them.

Isaiah 45:5

I am the LORD; there is no other God. I have equipped you for battle, though you don’t even know me,

Exodus 3:14

God replied to Moses, “ I Am Who I Am . Say this to the people of Israel: I Am has sent me to you.”

Blessed be the name of the Lord, Most High! Knowing who God really is and what He is capable of is the true blessing, and every other blessing follows that.

Jacob understood that God was and is, God, the only One willing to wrestle with Him until the morning, and able to bless him still. (Genesis 32:22-32)

This reminds me that God is the One who sees you in all of your imperfections and wants to bless you still. He is the One who has seen all that you have been, the good and the bad and has decided to be with you always (Matthew 28:20). He is the One that will wrestle with you in the midnight hour about your ideas, and the oppositions you experience, about the things you may not understand, and work and walk you through it all. He is the God who does not lose His patience with you, sees and knows all of you; and has still decided to bless and anoint you to prosper and to prevail on this side of life.

Don’t despise His hand on your life. Don’t despise the blessing you receive by honoring and blessing His Holy name right back. Don’t despise the blessings and gifts that God has given you to use. You are made for such a time as this. You are blessed!

His Bride, By Design

Keep Reading…

THE BRIDES CLUB – BLOG #11

Leave a comment

CHOSEN

Chosen in the most unthinkable way. Chosen in the most unconventional of ways. Chosen because of another’s rejection. Chosen because you were willing. Chosen because you refuse to quit. Chosen because, although the way you got there might not of not been the most socially acceptable; but after being there you understood the weight of the blessing or grasped the knowing that it doesn’t or didn’t have to be you(rs). You understand the fight it took and it takes to get there.

Chosen because the word of God can not return to Him void (Isaiah 55:11). Chosen because of the prayer of intercessors. Chosen, for a purpose greater than yourself. Chosen to cause others to jealous for and over Him as well (Romans 11:11). Chosen to display His glory. Chosen with the understanding that it didn’t have to be you; chosen with the understanding of, and that it is you.

I am captivated by the story of Jacob (Genesis 25-49), and at different stages in my life it is for different reason.

As a new believer:

I had been captivated by his ability to wrestle for what he wanted. Jacob, although blessed with the greatest blessing his father could speak over him, still had to “do” in order to obtain. In his life and when recalling his story, I understand that his wrestle with God was one among many of the wrestles in his lifetime. It was proof that he learned at least one thing throughout his wrestling, and that one thing was “I will not leave this moment of wrestle without a blessing, or without receiving what I am able to obtain from it.” His wrestle, I believe showed us as readers that, not only was he given this blessing, but that, he was also willing to do what it took in order to maximize the outcome of the blessing. He was willing to go the distance in personal relationship with God by trying Him for Himself, as well as taking God’s instruction and direction on what to do next. He wasn’t afraid to roll up his sleeves to accomplish what had never been done before; nor was he lagging behind regarding the way he processed outcomes and the systems in which he should do things. Jacob was wise and he didn’t just take the words of others regarding who God was, He wanted to try and test God for himself. He wanted to serve Him on a personal basis. Jacob’s courage to wrestle with none other than God Himself until – He blessed him was admirable , but I don’t want us to forget that the wrestle may also come at a cost. Because isn’t that what life is about? Some sort of wrestle, some sort of tug, some sort of petition, some sort of belief, some sort of stance, some sort of faith, some sort of wild and radical personal relationship with your Maker – that leads you to say “it is only me and You in the fight of faith. “ “I am the conduit and You are the power. “ “Bless me, enlarge my territory, I pray for increase, bless me indeed, oh Lord enlarge my territory.” (1 Chronicles 4) – This really is what life is about – You, on your faith journey with your Maker – It is just you and Him, what will it be?

In later years:

I had been captivated by Jacob’s birth story? That him and his brother would wrestle with one another in their mothers womb. Or, that Jacob couldn’t wait on his own entry to into the earth, he exited the birthing canal visibly clinging to his twin brothers heel. What an entry! I’d love to see the expression on the midwives who witnessed this happen.

We often times associate God’s blessing with righteous living, now don’t get me wrong, righteous living; will definitely lead to God’s blessing. It’s completion in your life, help the ability you have to maintain or handle the blessing, assist your longevity in the faith, it can also result in the abundance of God’s flow and presence in your life.

But, what if you aren’t starting off there? What if you don’t have the assurance of your “credentials” to fall back on? What if righteousness has been a struggle for you, what then? Do you tuck your tail and continue to walk on, hoping that God’s blessing will locate you if you are “lucky”enough? Do you remain until He changes you? What if you encounter God at a moment where you feel most unrighteous or the most unworthy, what then? What do you do when God’s blessing has decided to locate you, and not you it, what then? These are some of the places I believe Jacob found himself, maybe even Moses. So what then? What do you do when it isn’t all because of you or for you, that God has decided to bless you?

Do you ignore the call? Do you ignore the truth of your choosing? Do you ignore the blessing of God that is chasing you down?

Or do you grab ahold of faith and the incorruptible seed from the living and abiding word of God?

(1 Peter 1:23)

And, now:

I am captivated at the fact that Jacob was and still is blessed, and had been chosen to be blessed at that. Chosen to be blessed in spite of himself. Chosen to be blessed in the midst of his wrestling. Chosen to be blessed although nothing, not even his own doing is hidden from God. Chosen to be blessed to carry on the legacy of His grandfather, who was among the names of the chosen. After some years of being a Christian, I can confidently say that I firmly believe that God’s choosing vastly depends on us? That His choosing could involve any one of us if we would just _________________. I’ll leave you to fill in your own blank.

His Bride, By Design

Keep Reading…

THE BRIDES CLUB – BLOG #10

Leave a comment

FORGIVEN

Knowing you are forgiven. How does it feel to know that you are forgiven? Does it take on a new meaning based on who has forgiven you? Are you automatically lifted by its implications? In your opinion, what is the best thing about forgiveness? What is the worst?

Being forgiven by God for every sin that I have or will ever commit is truly groundbreaking for me. The implications of that forgiveness can shake or shape one’s entire existence and for some it has done exactly that.

1 John 1:9

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

Ephesians 1:7

He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

Matthew 26:28

for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.

Isaiah 55:7

Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.

What is most important to me about forgiveness is that no one else can forgive with such implications. And that when we decide to take on the likeness of God in that way we are able to shake and shape things that would otherwise never be shakable or shaped.

For example, when a woman or man chooses to forgive their spouses infidelity in order to recover what the enemy thought he stole and build an even more fortified foundation under the feet of their family. The implications that this type of forgiveness can leave on generations to come, lives and legacies and the like are incomprehensible.

Or when a child chooses to forgive the flaws of their parents and the generations that came before them, with an attitude of Jesus, saying “forgive them for they know not what they do” Luke 23:34; the saving of souls, the demolition of generational curses, new legacies and patterns all hang in the balance of such a courageous act as this.

When an individual chooses to forgive someone in whom they will never hear the words “I’m sorry.” from. Someone they’ll never experience display even the slightest bit of remorse for what they’ve done, the level of warefare their forgiveness exhibits is unfathomable to the here and now. We don’t get to note take all the implications of a forgiveness like that.

It is troubling to know that some will live their entire lives unaware of the sea of forgiveness that is available to them. If only they would go to the right source for this forgiveness. They’ll never know that on the other side of their revelation of the truth there is a tangible freeness only felt by knowing the forgiveness of the Savior of the world. That there are scriptures like:

Micah 7:19

Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!

John 8:10-11

Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”

“No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

Hebrews 8:12

And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”

Psalm 103:12

He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.

they have yet to grasp because they haven’t had an encounter with the One who is able to do just that. It is heartbreaking to know that some carry around a guilt that shapes their decision making and possibly even their opportunities because they are unaware of the place they can go, in order to get those burdens exchanged, Matthew 11:29.

Their is an entire body of people, as unbeknownst to them as I’d suppose it would be; walking around with things that need forgiving and things that they need to forgive. It they only knew that there was and is a person they could go to for the forgiveness of sins. If they only knew that the power of or to forgive lived on the inside of them too.

What would their world look like? How would the lives around them be affected for the better? Whose trajectory of life would change? Who would be restored back to health? Who would live to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ? Whose story line would be completely changed?

We can never underestimate the power of forgiveness, the power it has to save and to change, and the power it has to remake an entire life and legacy.

His Bride, By Design

Keep Reading…

THE BRIDES CLUB – BLOG #9

Leave a comment

FREE YOURSELF

Let’s talk about freeing yourself. But before we do, here’s a scripture that you can meditate on:

Galatians 5:1 NIV

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

What a burden it is to be slave to anything but the will of Christ. The irony of the freedom found in being a slave to what is true as well as the truth in Jesus Christ, is simply breathtaking. Which is why the Bible instructs us not to be slave to anything or anyone:

1 Corinthians 7:23 NIV

You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.

Galatians 1:10

Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.

2 Corinthians 5:9-10

So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him.

For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.

Romans 14:11

For the Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live,’ says the LORD, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.’”Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.

Romans 2:7

He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.

I recently came across a scripture in the Bible. Each time that I read this scripture I am reminded of the freedom we are to possess in Christ. Imagine trying to do an hour long exercise while having both your arms and legs attached to 20lb weights. No matter how physically fit you are the weights would begin to have an effect of you. No matter your potential, the weights would interfere with it. No matter your progress, your progress would become more strenuous than if you would have chosen to do the workout routine without 80lbs of added weights attached to you.

This is the same illustration that the following scripture gives:

Proverbs 6:5

Save yourself like a gazelle escaping from a hunter, like a bird fleeing from a net.

NIV

Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.

It says that if you have made a pledge or agreement that binds you to something or someone, you should free yourself. You see, we weren’t ever meant to live in bondage to anyone or anything. From the beginning of time, and even in the time of Adam and Eve, God wanted us to remain free. Free from knowing what we shouldn’t know, free from the wrong understandings, free from the weight of sin and free from others. He understands that being bound to anything is no way to truly live. Which is why He’s enabled us with the gift of free will (John 3:14-21). He’d like for us to exercise our own will, to choose Him. God would like for us to choose to give our wills over to Him in order for them to be molded by Him. He knows that force isn’t the best means to true love or devotion, that does not waver.

We oftentimes speak and meditate on God’s ability and willingness to free us, but seldom times discuss or acknowledge the ability that He has given us to free ourselves. God desperately wants us to live freely in His will. He wants us to live, lives that aren’t weighed down by any burden, wrong way of thinking or frankly by other people. He knows that if our loyalty is divided by people pleasing, the fear of man (Proverbs 29:25) or wanting to be the crowd’s favorite (John 19:12) more than we want to gain His favor, it will water down our witness (Revelation 12:11). A life completely devoted to God is the best life that any of us can live (John 10:10). The reason for this is simple (1 Corinthians 7:17, 1 Corinthians 14:40, 1 Corinthians 14:33). If there is only One in whom any single one of the 8 billion people on this earth want to please and that one is the same One across the board for us all; life would go smoother, things would be different and the world would be a better place. The focal relationship for each individual on earth and in life has always been their relationship with God as their Maker and Master, first, and from that relationship every other relationship, interaction and intention would flow.

Tap into the gift of freeing yourself so that you can live more freer, for and in the presence of Jesus. God has given you the ability to do so, take the opportunity and move forward in life and liberty. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

Proverbs 6:7-8

“It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it…”

yet:

: in addition : besides

: on top of everything else : no less

: continuously up to the present or a specified time : still

: nevertheless : however

His Bride, By Design

Keep Reading…

THE BRIDES CLUB – BLOG #8

Leave a comment

FORGIVEN

Forgiven for purpose.

Psalm 32:1-2

Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!

Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!

How beautiful do these words sound, coming off the page? How freeing are they to you?

We can easily get yoked to a “woe is me, I am a filthy sinner, who can’t get anything right.” type of mentality. We can stand in the forgiveness of the cross and do absolutely nothing with the life, the costly work that Jesus’s cross, paid to redeem. We can get caught in cycles of self pity and of blaming our past for our present, and for our future’s. But this stops today. Hopefully by the end of this blog, you’d of had a wake-up call to the truth and the gift of forgiveness.

Romans 6:15-16

Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.

I completely understand the desire that a blood bought believer has to do what is right and to live a holy and separated life, unto the Lord. I get it, I get how badly we’d like to be pleasing to the Lord and never do a thing to grieve His heart. I honestly believe that this mentality should be our hope. To live a life that pleases, and is in complete, surrender to God. Does life always look like those words? of course not…

But is that the desire? sure it is…

Ephesians 6:12

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Did you know that this scripture applies to you as well? You can never wrestle against yourself in order to get you to “live right”, it will never work.

The beauty of this is that you, do have authority over your own body. You can control your own self and in that, it is perfectly okay to rule over yourself; just as you would a principality or any other thing, authority, or power in the dark world that didn’t belong in your life.

1 Corinthians 9:27

I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

1 Corinthians 6:19

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,

But opposite to an evil spirit or an evil authority of the unseen world; you can, grace yourself, be kind to yourself, live a life that is understanding, as well as a life that is learning and growing, towards yourself.

Have you ever tried to change the behavior of someone you know or knew by being mean to them? If they are anything like me, or even you, that probably didn’t work.

What I’ve noticed in parenting my little, over this short span of time (thus far) is that he responds better, overall (or completely) to my softness rather than, my strict “get that thing done, because I said so” mommy mode. We are pretty similar to this, as well. We respond better to God’s kindness than we do to His reproof. Both are necessary, and we learn to appreciate all types of His correction, over time, but initially He does not necessarily start off with correction that is not patient or kind (,so to speak).

Romans 2:4

Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

How much more forgiveness, then? Do you know that we…

All those who have repented of their sins, received the finished work of the cross, and Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior; have the right to experience the full benefit of forgiveness.

1 Corinthians 6:20

for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

You have been bought at such a high price, your sins paid for by the One and Only spotless Lamb of God (1 Peter 1:19). Do you understand that there will never be another? That what Jesus did was done once and for all (Hebrews 10:10, Hebrew 7:25-28), never to be duplicated or replicated by anyone. None but Him could complete His work and now that same anointing has been passed down to you and I.

Therefore it is a disgrace to live a life of condemnation:

Romans 8:1

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

Therefore it is sinful to be yoked again to the bondage of slavery and that includes the slavery of self pity:

Galatians 5:1

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.

Therefore you have been forgiven, delivered, saved, set free and sanctified for such a time as this:

Esther 4:14

If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”

And finally, therefore you must live and act like it. You must walk and talk like it. You must move and give like it. There is a God who did not hold back as it relates to you and the freedom you now possess. So it is our duty to, not allow ourselves to be held back by guilt, shame, self loathing thoughts, self sabotage, lies, the illusions of defeat, self pity, judgement that you have no right to put on yourself and the like…

We, you, have been called to live free. To live a blood bought life, on purpose and for purpose. To put shame in its place and to live as the redeemed of the Lord! Now don’t you ever forget it!

(Psalm 107:2)

His Bride, By Design

Keep Reading…