THE BRIDES CLUB – BLOG #7

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COMPLETE

What completes you? What makes you whole? Where are you most secure and complete in life?

Do you ask questions about when you’ll be made whole? Do you feel incomplete at times? Do you have places in your life that are less than complete, and you wonder when they’ll be made that way?

This blog’s purpose is to remind you that there is hope even in the most hope drained of moments. It’s meant to remind you that Jesus’s first coming, didn’t have any loose ends. He came, completed what He was sent for, and is currently awaiting His return. It is to remind you that in His next return He is coming, as a, ruling, reigning and triumphant, King. In better words, He is coming back to show the devil who IS, boss (Exodus 3:14, John 8:58), to put him in his much deserved place and us in our rightful, (filled) place.

Please understand that contrary to what this world may think, YOU have the better place in history, YOU have the better earthly as well as, eternal seat. YOU will laugh best! Jesus Christ, is coming back for a spotless bride, will you be ready?

I very recently spent a time in worship, and that time, brought back to my remembrance how far I have actually come in my faith. The words “the devil’s gonna try to take me out of tha church but, ya can’t take the church outta me.” rang and reigns true to the fullest extent, to me. the devil can try, but he cannot steal or have your testimony.

We overcome by the blood and by the word of our testimony (Revelations 12:11). Do not hand it over.

That moment in worship reminded me of how indebted I am spiritually to the church that I was raised. Let me remind you, if you need this reminder, that there is NOTHING more valuable than a sole (Proverbs 11:30, John 3:16). And, there is NOTHING that is worth, your soul.

A brief ovation if I may:

Calling all ministers of The Gospel. Your work is great and the work you do matters so much to the Kingdom of God. Don’t stop, don’t quit, don’t lose heart, great is your reward. Thank you for the eternal impact you are making and the dent you are leaving in this world. For the one who wants to quit, please don’t, the world needs you!

Jesus is moving, most assuredly in a way that He never has before (John 14:12). God corrects, those He loves (Hebrews 12:6). And, when He wants to do something big here on this side of life, He start with, fixing what is broken. He’ll start with mending and correcting, He’ll tend to the branches that need it, and then He’ll send them back out to produce more fruit (John 15:1-5). Don’t get weary in any of those seasons (2 Thessalonians 3:13), remember the goal is gold (1 Corinthians 9:24). You are coming out golden, if you do not lose heart (Revelations 3:21).

Hold on to what is true, do away with what is not true (Ephesians 4:24). God is on The Throne, He has not left office! He knows the exact time, the exact moment, the exact space and the exact place. Trust His movement and trust His knowing. (2 Peter 3:8)

His Bride, By Design

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THE BRIDES CLUB – BLOG #6

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CHANGED (BY IDENTIFYING YOUR ENEMY)

2 Corinthian 3:18

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

Phillipians 2:12 ESV

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

…obeying God with deep reverence and fear.

As believers, change is something that we’ll never stop undergoing. This doesn’t mean that we’d continually have to recover from ongoing falls, but it is more so, an ongoing regeneration of our spirit man. We are transforming from fallen nature, into our Christ-like nature. Therefore we do not lose heart.

2 Corinthians 4:16

…our spirits are being renewed every day.

We drastically experience change when we learn to identify our enemy – and as we learn the ways in which he works.

When we understand who our enemy is, how he works, and the way he uses things, places and people – we are better able to repel his attempts at getting us to keep on or put back on the old man.

Ephesians 4:22-24

throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

ESV

and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Changed by identifying your enemy:

When we know who our enemy is we are better able to identify who our enemy is not. We aren’t swayed in our position of faith. We are confident of what is being knocked down and out through our prayer and fasting. We know our target and continue to aim at his hell bent assignment concerning us, our lives and the lives of those we pray for. We understand that our arrows never miss because we aren’t wrestling against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12).

We are changed through the identifying of our enemy because, contrary to popular belief what we don’t know can still hurt or affect one (Hosea 4:6,Ecclesiastes 1:18). We need to know that there is a such thing as an army of the Lord (Joshua 5:13-14). There is no need for an army if there is no identifiable enemy, present or predicted war, know threat, or nothing to protect and defend.

Please understand, that from the moment of your conception or even before then the enemy plotted against your life. Even while you worked for him and was his biggest advocate, he still hated you. There is no middle ground with God, or with the enemy. And although satan would love for you to believe that there is, there really isn’t. Either you are on God’s side or, you are on the side of the devil. Either way the enemy’s intentions towards you are not life giving. They are mistaken and must return to their sender.

All my life, up until the moment I was taught otherwise, I did not know, nor did I have the slightest clue, that I was actively serving the devil. You see, I thought that since I was “good enough” and did what was right, most of the time I was somewhere in the middle of all of this. I mean, I didn’t actually know Jesus, but I whole heartedly believed that He was real. I knew of Him, heard many of the Sunday School stories about Him and other well known Bible characters, but never actually knew Him.

Little did I know at the time, or at any other moment that satan believed in Jesus too. he more than knew of Him, and completely understood Jesus plans and thoughts towards me.

It isn’t believing that Jesus is real or that He exist that changes us. It is the active renouncing of our place within the kingdom of darkness and boldly proclaiming and accepting our new life into the Kingdom of Light that changes us. We become new instantly and in a moment, and then have to clothe ourselves in this new way of thinking, new way of being and new way of living as we journey on in our new life in Christ.

Anything and everything before then, our service is and was in allegiance to the evil one, or to a way that was in opposition to God’s way. No matter how good the deed was, we are not saved and made new and right by or through what we do, we are saved by faith through grace (Ephesians 2:8). This truth is truly mind blowing, it clears things up completely. When we see this aspect of our lives as truly black or white, and with no grey areas; approaching life, gets easier. We understand that no matter how small a sin may be, sin is still sin. We understand that no matter our intentions, our consciences must be made right by the One true God, who is altogether pure and holy. We understand that we could never be made right in and of ourselves. We also understand that the lines that define a life won over to God are clear and not at all blurred. There is clear evidence of the life that commits to the process of sanctification, and no good deed can replace the|that process.

His Bride, By Design

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The Brides Club – Blog #5

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REDEEMED

Psalm 19:14

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

my Rock and my Redeemer

my Rescue, my Help and my Redeemer

Too many of the redeemed get so caught up in the question of – being redeemable that they don’t focus on the opportunities, miracles, move(s) of God that have been made available to them through The Redeemer. What I mean by this is that the redeemed get to doubting, by believing that they are, somehow unredeemable or as if the life that is had is just too hard for God to make new, fix and|or to transform.

They focus so much on their capability to be found redeemable that they forget to look at the ability of the One who Redeems in the first place. This thought process tends to leave one confused and wishy washy in their faith. It is extremely hard to believe for something while believing the exact opposite thing at the exact same time.

To re· deem means to:

: to free from what distresses or harms: such as

: to release from blame or debt

: to change for the better

: repair, restore

: to remove the obligation of by payment

: to make good

: to exchange for something of value

: to offset the bad effect of

: to atone for

: to make worthwhile

Synonyms for the word are:

rescue, deliver, ransom, reclaim or save

The dictionary typically uses the word in order to better describe and define it. The words they used to display a deeper meaning or an example of the word redeem is, “redeem an error”. The word redeem is an action word and the only thing that was needed in order for the word redeem to be applied was the word “error”.

An individual can be burdened by guilt in such a way that leaves them believing that they don’t even qualify to be saved, that even their “error”, trial, circumstance, problem is somehow not “good” enough for The Redeemer to spring into action.

He is a God that neither sleeps nor slumbers (Pslam 121:4), He is always in action, He is always, The Redeemer. Remember that the word redeem only needs an object in order to act. The object doesn’t need a specific ranking in order to qualify for, the redeeming.

If I take my mind off of my own ability to be or become redeemable and switch it, on to God’s ability to Redeem; I am more likely to receive, experience and believe the results that have been there all along.

Galatians 4:5

to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Psalm 103:4

He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.

God didn’t need much in order to redeem. All the redeemed needed in order to be redeemable is to, just be. There is no rank in redeeming, we were all in need of a Savior, all in need of redemption, all in need of a Redeemer. Which leads me to remind you that, you are redeemable, don’t ever forget that. In order to redeem something or someone, that one would have to be deemed redeemable, or capable of the act.

You are…

Maybe you’ve wondered what was wrong with you more time than you’d like to even admit out loud?

Here is your reminder that you are indeed deliverable, that God has deemed you as reachable and able of rescue. The enemy of your soul would love for you to believe that you, of all 8 billion people is somehow desolate, on an island all by yourself, or that you are somehow “a special case”, that nothing can be done with you.

And the lie detector determines that, that in fact, is a lie! You are reachable.

Isaiah 59:1

Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.

Listen! The LORD’s arm is not too weak to save you…

And because of this you have every right to believe that you can be rescued. Yes rescued, and redeemed!

More than rescued and redeemable, you become an offspring of God, a product of His Spirit and He has decided that you are an heir, (one who receives or is entitled to receive something).

Psalm 107:2

Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.

Isaiah 35:9

Lions will not lurk along its course, nor any other ferocious beasts. There will be no other dangers. Only the redeemed will walk on it.

As we come to the revelation of God’s love, and as we grasp and hold onto it, this very wrong presumption addressed in the paragraphs above is completely debunked. When you truly know the love of God towards you, you know that there is no such thing as impossible, the Rock and the Redeemer has made it all reachable, receivable as well as attainable.

Isaiah 41:14 CSB

Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel. I will help you” — this is the LORD’s declaration. Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.

When the Lord declares a thing, it is different from any other declaration. It’s the Lord’s declaration, nothing trumps that. You can be possessive about these truths, especially when you belong to Him and He belongs to you. YOUR Redeemer, MY Redeemer, is more than you’ve acknowledged. HE IS, the Holy One of Israel, there isn’t another.

Proverbs 23:11

For their Redeemer is strong; he himself will bring their charges against you.

Ephesians 6:13

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

His Bride, By Design

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THE BRIDES CLUB – BLOG #4

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ACCEPTANCE

Acceptance. Who doesn’t want acceptance? Who doesn’t long for it? Who doesn’t, at least like the feeling that being accepted brings to them? The feeling of satisfaction, the ones of assurance that come rushing to our minds. Acceptance brings about a sense of safety, and an assurance of peace.

Acceptance is something that every human desires, we can trace this back to the story of Cain and Abel, or even further back, into the Garden of Eden. We desire to be accepted by others, to be accepted by the right crews, by the right groups of people. We want to be accepted by the right establishments, associated with the right places and connections of power. We long for acceptance in every area of life.

Once I became saved, my desire to know the ways God had accepted me was of utmost importance. I’d stay up late at night searching scripture to find out what it said about me. I’d write them over index cards and recite them over myself as I stood in the mirror in the morning preparing for my day. I’d write, rewrite, rehearse and commit to memory all of the scriptures that spoke to my identity and the new creation, in Christ that I had become.

Now that I look back on these details, I also understand how important the things that I had accepted were, and the role they played in my understanding and reach of my overall acceptance in Christ.

Psalm 19:14

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

I understand that my invitation to call on the Lord has always been available. I understood that this invitation had never been withheld from me, but that there was also specific reaching on my part that needed to be ignited.

Romans 10:9-13

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.”

God’s desire is that all of us, all 8 billion, should reach repentance; should arrive at and get to the place of that repentance. He wants us to attain it, He set it before us, it is in our reach and in our grasp. I oftentimes envision God as a pacer. Not one pacing back and forth aimlessly, but as One pacing back and forth with a movement similar to a glide. I envision His presence, His Spirit, His agents effortlessly gliding across and over the air waves, the wind, in and out of rooms, spying and peeking on hearts and persons, gently waiting for the moments of their salvation. Looking back and forth at the progress of the influence of His Spirit on every human life. Slowly and patiently waiting for the movement of their hearts in and towards His direction. He is not late, He is not worried, He knows the time and ending of every pathway, and yet He does not force a thing, He gently waits on our reach.

Ephesians 2:8-9

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Could you imagine, could you grasp that acceptance is at the reach of every individual on the face of the earth? It is a free gift, by and through God’s grace, but depending on what they themselves accept – that gift may or may not be reached? Whether it be what that individual accepts as truth, what they accept as a gift in life and for their lives, all these things can quite possibly allow the gift that God offers to never be reached.

Everything is upon the presumption of what we accept or the presumption(s) that we accept. John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. God, the Holy Spirit is that advocate, if we choose to accept Him.

1 Timothy 2:5

For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.

Will you accept these words? Accepting that Jesus is the One who has made being accepted by the Father available to all mankind changes things.

Romans 11:16

And since Abraham and the other patriarchs were holy, their descendants will also be holy—just as the entire batch of dough is holy because the portion given as an offering is holy. For if the roots of the tree are holy, the branches will be, too.

John 15:1 BSB

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard.

John 17:9

“My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you.

Accepting that there is a difference changes everything. The reach is available to all and every, but Jesus prayed for those who had already accepted the call to higher living in the midst of this world. Those that already accepted the call to reach and attain their belonging in Him.

Access, Accepted (by believing these truths)

His Bride – By Design

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THE BRIDES CLUB – BLOG #3

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The thing about FOMO

There is good FOMO and then there is, bad FOMO. The good type, is the type of FOMO where there is an important position and|or placement; or an important opportunity that presents itself, and you don’t want to miss out on that. Or, when you are thinking about your schedule and raising your child(ren), as well as factoring in the kind of upbringing you’d like for them to have; and you are reminded of how fast it all goes by and that missing out on that experience can never be an option.

There is a bad FOMO as well. A FOMO that has been heightened by the convenience of everything being so easily accessible in this day an age. There is a FOMO attached to not being at the same rate of growth as another in your age group, who shares similar values, has had a similar upbringing and the like. There is a FOMO that brings about anxious and unwanted feelings and even invites in the “pit in your stomach” feeling too.

FOMO isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It helps our processes of thinking and contributes to our decision making. I oftentimes think about the preparedness that FOMO brings, one similar to the Bible story of the ten virgins. Where they were in such anticipation of the bridegroom, that things had to be right. They had to be ready for His call, their lamps had to be trimmed, and they had to have enough oil in order to remain ready. See Matthew 25:1-13 for the full parable.

I’ve had both types of FOMO. There are specific scriptures that I run to when the bad kind of FOMO tries to steal my joy. Here are a few of them:

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Phillipians 4:6-8

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Romans 1:17

This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

Isaiah 40:31

But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Bad FOMO can be daunting, it can make you feel like you are the only one who has, or will ever experience loneliness or the moments of separation that God can allow one to journey on. It can make you believe that if you do things God’s way, His intentions are to hold out on you. It can make you think that another opportunity will never come your way if you miss out on the current opportunity; all of which, are not true. Which is honestly why it is so important for us to renew our minds in the truth of the Word and in the clarity that it brings.

Good FOMO is ultimately directed at what God is up to in our lives or in the life of the Body of Christ as a whole. It is eager to find out what God is doing, where He is going and the way He is moving. Similar to the phrases and lyrics we find in well known Gospel or Christian Contemporary Music like:

“Lord, whatever you are doing, please don’t do it without me!” or “My hearts one desire is to be Holy.” or “My treasure, Lord you are. My friend and King…”

The heart of this type of FOMO is to be in the center of God’s will at all times. It is to be deeply rooted in His Word. It is to know God’s secrets and is to be connected to His throne of Grace. It is to know Him more and to know His heart deeper. Whatever you do this year, keep the good FOMO and do away with the bad type of FOMO. It will serve you in the end.

His Bride – By Design

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THE BRIDES CLUB – BLOG #2

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Mission:

To call out, take up, and heighten the Bride in you.

(Meaning: call out – acknowledge, take up – take a hold of, heighten – lift up)

Ephesians 5:27

He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.

Purpose:

Maybe, you too, like me, have dreamed of your wedding since you were little. Maybe you’re single (which isn’t deadly, by the way), married, divorced, widowed, or have never even really thought about marriage to the extent that maybe some have.

Presently, as well as in times past most have desired this one thing. They’ve also worn it as a badge of honor, as something to be proud of, and as something that is worth it.

According to the Bible, marriage is the norm and standard as it relates to creating and having a family. It isn’t mandatory for life, and living, in general, and it is supposed to serve as an example and an expression of God’s relationship with The Church – His Bride.

No matter your marital status here on earth, I know of One who has longed for you to belong to Him or to become His Bride. He planned for it and predestined it. He also plans on returning for this very thing, and I’d love to get ready with you.

I’d love to prepare my heart, mind and soul along side you (hypothetically speaking), as we think of, as we grasp and as we breath in the call to live as the Bride of Christ here on earth.

Belonging, beloved and believing it fully!

The Brides Club Rally:

I Am,You Are:

Gorgeous & God Fearing

A woman who fears the Lord shall be praised (Proverbs 31:30). She is made in God’s image and He is without flaw, so gorgeous must be a fitting description of her. (Genesis 1:27)

Precious & Poised

She is described as being fearfully and wonderfully made throughout God’s Holy Scriptures (Psalm 139:14). She is precious and this speaks to the delicateness of her making. She is composed and carries a certain readiness for the future (Isaiah 40:31).

Predestined & Paced

Before the beginning of time, He knew her by name and nature (Jeremiah 1:5). She does not fret about tomorrow, her very steps are ordered by The Lord (Psalm 37:23:24).

Feminine & Thriving

She is in every sense of the word, feminine. Which does not take away from, any other area of her makeup in the least bit. We often plead with God, in order to just get by or through something; as in, to just survive a thing. But she doesn’t “just survive”, she thrives. She confidently sets sail and makes it to her destination and back in His safety. (Psalm 92:12-15, Daniel 11:32)

Hopeful & Loved

Her hope does not disappoint (Romans 5:5). She knows that there is no measure in distance, time and|or space that can keep her away from the Love of God towards her (Romans 8:31).

Committed & Courageous

She commits, completely. (Deuteronomy 6:5) She is courageous, knowing that the Lord her God is with her wherever she goes. (Joshua 1:9)

Concurring & Carefree

She is agreeing with God’s words and thoughts towards her (Jeremiah 29:11). She laughs without fear of the future and is worry free in nature. (Proverbs 31:25)

Heaven-Bound & Healing

She has made the most important decisions in life. She has accepted Jesus Christ into her heart, as Savior and Lord. She knows her final destination is glory. She is committed to healing emotional and spiritual wounds that this world tries to assign to her. She is whole and healing continually. (Romans 10:9, Galatians 5:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

Holy & Forever

She is Holy as He is Holy. Forever is her destiny, and she knows this full well. (1 Peter 1:16, Philippians 1:21)

Drawn Strength & Wisdom

She knows that her help and strength has one Source. Everything about her worth having, is drawn from the Well that never runs dry. Wisdom, He tells her to ask for it and He will supply it; and she comes in and out from Him with added wisdom, knowledge, strength and correction. (Psalm 121:1, John 4:14, James 1:5)

Youthful & Adorned

She is like a child as it relates to her believing; She is adorned in grace and mercy from on high. She is clothed with strength and dignity and basks in the presence of the Holy Spirit, always. (Matthew 18:3, Proverbs 31:29)

BY,

His Bride – By Design

She is His bride, by Ever Knowing Design.

You Are, I Am

All Things Lovely

All Things Beautiful

And All Things Glory

She is, because He is, always was and is still to come.

(Revelation 1:8)

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THE BRIDES CLUB – BLOG #1

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Our Rally:

Is comprised of Spirit lead words that stand for who the Bride is at her core. She will recite, resemble, champion and radiate these words. Through payer and supplication she will be ready to assume positioning within her God given identity. She is His bride, by Design.

She is:

all things lovely

all things beautiful

all things glory

“She floundered for a moment, then rallied again.”

to rally

ral· ly

:recover or cause to recover in health, spirit or poise

:to recall to order

:to arouse for action

:rebound

:a recovery of price after a decline

Our Present Day Task at Hand is to:

1. Discipline yourself and mind on what is true.

2. Practice following through

3. Set a task and accomplish it

4. Correct every hell sent suggestion and thought with the truth

Reminders for the Bride:

1. You cannot value the opinions of others, more than you value God’s voice.

2. You cannot value the thoughts of others more than you value God’s Word

3. You are not missing out on anything

Cliche for ‘The Brides Club’:

“Things can get lonely when you don’t know who you are. This one’s for the girl that needs to stir up the Bride in you. Christ bride, that is!”

The Brides Club : The Motive Behind The Purpose & Mission

More recently (I’m talking maybe, for the past 2 years), I’d been lead to think more about marriage than, dare I be honest and say, than what I would have wanted to.

I started to lightly plan, in my mind, what marriage would look like for me if I ventured down that path, for a second time. I’ll share more of my story closer to the end of this project. But, I wanted to highlight that it would indeed be my second time married if I ever did get married again.

In the timeline of mentally and emotionally processing the idea of marriage again, strong feelings and very tangible desires began to surface. These feelings even surprised me, (I’ll also explain why they did later on in The Brides Club journey). They left me a bit perplexed because I hadn’t known that they even existed. The longings that the thoughts of marriage brought to the surface were very real and for the lack of a better word, pure.

But, like most things do, this processing brought me back to the rich and very full love of God. I was reminded of the way that I should yearn for Him (Him, being God). I was reminded of our commitment and of the connection that we should share.

I was also reminded that the seed to desire to marry was planted on the inside of me for as long as I could possibly remember. I was also reminded that this good seed; to desire marriage was planted on the inside of me for greater purpose than I could ever imagine.

Like most girls did, I planned out details for my wedding time and time again. I picked out my “children’s” names as early as elementary school and then, chose them all over again numerous times as the years went by. Tell me I’m not the only one? I could vividly picture my life as a wife, as a mom, as a career|business woman, an actress and|or a lawyer. I saw myself. I saw myself conquering it all with a power house of a husband right by side, overachieving in his many areas of expertise as well.

I saw myself overjoyed at the life we’d created. Which yet again, leads me back to our relationship with God. We plan many things to a T, and leave no room for imperfections or error. There is a special identity attached to mine and your personal relationship with God the Father, God the Son, (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit.

I want to explore that with you, in a different way, if you’d will, a little bit more in the year to come.

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His Bride, by Design

AWAKENING TO – MY WORD OF THE YEAR

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FINDING A WAY TO BUILD MOMENTUM FOR YOUR NEW YEAR

So, I recently stumbled upon my 2024 Word of the Year and started to think of how something as simple as giving your year a word can help shape and build momentum for it.

Some have had years that they’d rather not repeat and some are just rebuilding from a place of deconstruction. There are many other instances that we can reference, but these two can be harder to navigate out of, or through their after effects.

Finding a way to build momentum for your new year can be challenging. Here are 9 tips that are simple to incorporate and yet have proven to be extremely helpful upon application:

1. CHOOSE A WORD OF THE YEAR

As simple as this may sound a word of the year produces a type of expectancy in you. You begin to look forward to the possibilities of what could become of your year.

2. CREATE A VISION BOARD OR AN IDEA BOARD

Creating something that you can look at and to, that reminds you of the things you’d like to accomplish and the goals you’d like to pursue in the year to come helps us to keep focus and refocus our thoughts and our efforts throughout the year.

3. MAPPING OUT YOUR IDEAL YEAR ON A PHYSICAL CALENDAR (AS WELL AS SETTING DEADLINES)

This becomes a seemingly loose or very concrete way of steering your year. No matter who you are or how well planned or thought out year typically is; mapping the entire year out on a physical calendar helps one to make the most of their year. If you know your plans for October 2024 you are more likely to stick to your budget, accomplish your daily to-do list and task, in March of 2024 because you know, presume and are preparing for what is to come.

4. REFERRING TO IT OFTEN

Referring to the calendar helps with keeping your focus. It can be used as a form of accountability.

5. HAVING A DAILY TO DO LIST THAT IS ATTAINABLE (HITTING THE TOP THREE EACH DAY)

Creating a daily to-do list or a daily task list. Many commit to a list of three things each day. I can not tell you the amount of times that I have struggled to meet the items on my to-do list. I can also not tell you, the amount of times that those same to-do list served as something constant and steady in my day to day life. Checking things off of your daily list brings about a sense of accomplishment even to the most chaotic of days. Knowing that your list is something that brings your attention back on what matters as every and anything may try to steal that attention really does bless one’s day.

6. FEEDING YOURSELF THE RIGHT SPIRITUAL FOODS AND ENCOURAGEMENT

This is so important. I have grown to understand how vital spiritual food is. Who gets to speak into your life? Who gets to encourage you? Who do you trust to call out the best and the not so good in you? Do you understand that it is a privilege to be spoken over and also a privilege to speak into? I have learned that depending on where I am going every message or encouragement may not be for me. I have also learned that I can’t tune into everything either. It’s important to have a foundation that starts and ends with God (Jesus), and to build upon that.

7. EDUCATING YOURSELF ON THE TOPIC|OR THE “HOW TO’S” SO THAT YOU CAN TANGIBLY NOTE THAT YOUR VISION IS POSSIBLE

Have you ever wanted to do something but shied away from it because you thought it took more than it actually did take? Or am I the only one? But, upon researching and being proactive in learning what steps were actually needed for that thing, the smoke was lifted and you could see clearly a way to it. Don’t underestimate the power of researching or pursing the way. Something may appear to be difficult but turn out to be more systematical than you think.

8. BE ACCOUNTABLE

I have learned that the surest way to become accountable to yourself is to make yourself accountable to others. There is a beauty in submitting yourself to another, learning from another and putting yourself under authority. Notice I didn’t say “getting under” authority, but “putting yourself” there. You have a lot to do with who you submit to or who you allow yourself to be accountable to. What I would suggest, is to choose wisely. For instance, choosing to be held accountable to someone who is accountable to no one, may not be a good idea. If you are aiming to be a better Christian in 2024, then you’d probably want to be accountable to someone who has a timeline that matches the steps of someone who is God honoring and lives wholly for Jesus. Jesus chose to submit to Himself to the will of the Father and made Himself accountable to Law of the prophets and by doing this He lived well, lived an accomplished life and pleased God. (Matthew 5:17, Matthew 3:17, John 10:18)

9. LOOK TO THOSE WHO ARE WHERE YOU WANT TO BE AND ARE PAST YOU – AND GOT THERE THE RIGHT WAY

“Do not take advice from someone you wouldn’t trade lives with!”, is a quote I’ve heard several times and can honestly agree with its sentiments. Of course, we can learn something or at least one thing from everyone. Even observing and having interaction with a 3 year old can result in some wisdom and revelation gained, but I would not refer to these same interactions and base all of life’s decisions on them. In the same way, we should learn from those who have excelled in the areas we are looking to excel in. Learn from those doing things God’s way. Learn from those who through experience and example have proven to be one|those to learn from.

Here are some scriptures to refer to in the coming year:

Proverbs 29:18 NIV

Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.

ESV

Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.

James 4:15

What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”

Psalm 37:5

Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you.

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AWAKENING TO – WHAT YOU THINK MATTERS MOST

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Joshua 1:8 AMP

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on] it day and night, so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be successful.

Psalm 1:2 AMP

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night.

What is on your mind consistently? What do you think about day in and day out? What consumes your mind and thoughts? What are the fears that keep you awake? What are the things that have your focus, your time and energy?

Can I remind you that what you give attention to in life is what will be magnified? Whatever you consistently meditate on is being given permission, by you to take up space in your mind. It is being given permission to take the attention you have to give. The thing with thoughts is that they don’t ask for permission, they’ll take the attention if you give it to them.

If you don’t want to give attention to something, choose to not allow it to have access to your constant and consistent thoughts and processing of those thoughts.

Your thoughts are yours, and although the enemy can rush them at times; you can send him and the thoughts and feelings he brings packing, just as quick as they came.

You hold the authority and power over your thought life. And although it may take practice and repetition, your thoughts as well as thoughts that linger are under your authority and can be put into submission.

The Bible teaches us:

Phillipians 4:8

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Mark 11:24

I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.

These scriptures are freeing and remind us that we have more power than we admit to ourselves.

They reiterate the truth that what we think, believe and meditate on influences our world and the world around us.

Keep your mind clear from confusion, doubt, negativity and lies. Stay focused. Meditate on what is true.

Remember, that Jesus is truth, God’s Word is true and what God says about you is complete truth.

Truth comes from it’s Author, not what opposes it’s Author.

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AWAKENING TO – A MAN SO SURE

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I’ve never met a man more sure

Who is the surest man you know?

How does he show you that he is as sure as you know him to be?

How does how sure he is make you feel?

Are you more sure with him, or in His presence?

Jesus, the surest man I’ve ever met. The man that reminds me that He is fully God and fully man all at one time. My Jesus, He can relate, and understand but He can also know everything and not relate at the exact same time.

Here are 10 statements that Jesus spoke of Himself:

10 statements Jesus said that made Him sure, to me.

John 14:6 – The Way, the Truth, the Life

“Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

Try it. Try getting to God, the Father without going through Jesus. The most cold and meaningless attempt at getting to God the Father would be to do it without Jesus. You know that God really does exist but attempt to get to Him without the Spirit of Him driving you, is impossible. It isn’t possible to get to God without going to Jesus. He is the one who opens blind eyes (John 10:21), He is the one that does the drawing. He is the proof of God’s love for you, He is the example to every Christian human.

John 10:36, Luke 22:70 – Son of God

“why do you call it blasphemy when I say, ‘I am the Son of God’? After all, the Father set me apart and sent me into the world.”

After all, the Father sent Him as the redeemer of all mankind. He is the redeemer of every sin to ever take place, He is the way out of the eternal consequences of the sins one commits daily. He has been set a part from the beginning of time, for purposes no one could ever fulfill but Him and He will always be the One known from the beginning of time before the beginning of time, sent to accomplish what no one else could.

John 8:58 – Jesus said He is the I Am

“Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I Am !””

Jesus, the I Am. The One who needs no explanation. He needs no evidence but gave it to us anyway. He has nothing to prove and decided to prove His love to us anyway. He has proven His authority and power to us as well.

John 6:35-36 – Jesus – the Bread of Life

“Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But you haven’t believed in me even though you have seen me.”

There is a thirsting and a hunger that only Jesus can quench. Nothing earthly could ever compare to the provision of His presence, to the provision of His Spirit, to the provision of His wholeness.

John 8:12 – Jesus – I am the Light of the World

“Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.””

Walking in darkness is a choice. Following Jesus, is the solution to the problems that walking in darkness create. Much like stubbing our toe on the side of the wall in the middle of the night can be solved by the flick of a switch; Jesus, is the solution to the problem found in darkness. He is the sure fix to problems created by shame.

John 10:7 – the Door to the Sheep

“so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.”

He is the whole gate, not part of it, not the key to it, but He is the entire gate. Will we go to Him for entry?

John 10:11 – The Good Shepherd

“”I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.”

He is willing to sacrifice, only for our sake. He didn’t benefit not one bit from dying on that cross, the benefits went directly to us. He was already perfect but, momentarily sacrificed His equality to God for us. Putting on a human body, over all of that Deity, He did it for you and I, just so that a way would be made for our return to our Maker.

John 11:25 – The Resurrection and the Light

“Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.”

Even after dying, you live! He was the first in resurrection, but not the last to.

John 15:5 – The Vine

“”Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

Close to Him is where He requires us to be. He isn’t sure for no reason, He is sure for us to be connected. He is sure so that we can be sure too. He is the lifeline, so that we can live. He is, for our sake, and for the sake of our fruit.

John 2:19 – Jesus said He will tear down the Temple

“”All right,” Jesus replied. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.””

He was talking about Himself. He was and still is so sure of Himself, that we are left no choice but to be sure of Him also.

Acts 5:38

“So my advice is, leave these men alone. Let them go. If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown.

Over 2,000 years ago a wise man encouraged others to allow the Gospel of Jesus Christ to continue to be spread. If its message was a fallacy it would fall off on its own. If its message was the real deal, nothing would be able to stop it (Acts 5:39). And now over 2,000 years later we are less than 10 years away from having the Word of the Only, true and living God, fully translated into every single language. It started with a few men who gathered to wait for the power of the Holy Spirit to fall on them; and when He did, others who spoke different languages understood their sayings.

God’s presence is more active today than ever, more alive today than ever. We are more sure of Jesus today than ever. Blessed are you, because we believe without having had had to see. It all started by Word of mouth. A few people testified to the Truth and look at how far we’ve come.

Jesus, the surest man I’ve ever known! The surest man I’ll ever know. He is, and because He is, we are.

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